August 30, 2020
As it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.1 Corinthians 2:9
I was talking with my mother not long ago and somehow the question came up, “What was the happiest time of your life?” She talked about when she and my dad first moved to Arizona. They moved into a very friendly neighborhood where five empty-nest couples enthusiastically welcomed them, not just into the neighborhood but also into their lives. They gave parties and took turns hosting dinners, played golf and tennis, and planned all kinds of weekend excursions around Arizona for the group. “Your dad and I loved being with those friends,” my mom said. “It was a fun, really happy few years.”
My happiest time was when my children were growing up, the pre-teen years— needing me (but not so needy), active, busy, and fun. It was a time when our family of four was together for family dinners, fun weekends, and family vacations. I’ve since asked this question of many people and heard all kinds of interesting answers from when couples were newlyweds, to the years a friend taught elementary school, to another who loves her retirement years. The thing is, no matter how happy we may be in this life, God has more planned for us. Jesus’ promise of eternal life means our most joyful times are yet to come. That’s especially comforting to me when times are difficult and clearly not so happy. I’m reassured that the happiest times I’ve ever had won’t be able to compare to the joy I’ll know when I see Jesus face to face.
Gina Bridgeman
I’m not really happy right now and sometimes I really have to work at it to “FEEL (and be)” HAPPY. HOWEVER, we children of God are privileged characters. PRIVILEGED because God’s joy lives in us; CHARACTERS because none of us is perfect. All we have to do is talk to a fellow believer, open the Bible, share the Gospel, sing a hymn or worship song and/or pray and listen and we KNOW we have the joy of the Lord living in us. Happiness is like icing on the cake and Joy is like the Roses on the cake. The roses are prominent. ( Just came up with that! : ) Most kids would rather have a piece of cake with as many roses as they can get. I pray for happiness and yet i need not pray for JOY because I already have it in bunches. Leslie
What a great reminder! Especially in these rather dark times. Sure nuf got me thinking. God bless you Gina.