Don’t Worry, Be Happy

*Today’s post inspired by this post.

How many of you would describe yourself as “happy”?  Is happiness even possible in this lifetime? 

Happiness is transitory.  I can be happy one minute and deeply saddened the next.  I want to have joy which feels more lasting  and less fleeting than happiness.  Perhaps that’s why James says:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

James 1:2-5

When you have joy, you can still experience peace and contentment in the midst of problems.  Happiness is a fickle teenager while Joy is a seasoned senior citizen

What are your thoughts about happiness?

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New!

In addition to our new home, we have something else new dwelling among us –a beautiful, bouncing baby boy! His name is Che and he is perfect! He has totally brought light into our dark days. He is the smallest of the sultans in the Queendom of Morocco!  His nickname is the Emperor! I  We  just looooove him to pieces!

 

 

After Winter…

When I saw these budding green sprouts yesterday, it made me so happy! The weather is cold, the grass brown, and the sun shines only for a fleeting moment.  Everything seems so lifeless and barren.  But seeing this lovely burst of green was a gentle reminder that God has not forgotten about me.  This is His version of “picture mail! He designed spring to follow winter for a reason. Hallelujah!

Springing forward!

Moving On

My stepfather is doing wonderful.  I’m thankful as he’s had a rough couple of years.  He also has a girlfriend!  Although they haven’t been dating long, I was still touched when he asked me if I would be okay with their relationship.  Intially I felt a twinge of jealousy because she is not my mother and sadness in that he even has to travel this route.  However, these feeling were fleeting and I responded with a genuine “yes” and he seemed pleased.  I want him to be happy!

I asked my sister what she thought about him dating and she replied, Good! Now he can stop calling me! He needs someone to keep him busy!  Her response tickled me because I understood her seemingly aloof confession.  Before she (his new girlfriend) came along he was very lonely!  He called me what seemed like a million times a day to give me the run-down of his every activity!  My husband used to tease me about this.  Virtually everytime the phone rang it was…George!  But unlike my sister who simply stopped answering his calls, I took every one because I knew that he was just missing my mother.

His girlfriend seems like a nice woman.  She is also a widow.  George took me and the kids out to breakfast last Sunday morning and she came along.  She seemed a little nervous and shy so I tried to make her feel at ease by including her in the conversation and asking questions about her family. 

I wonder what her title would be if they ever marry?  Would she be our step-stepmom? Or just my stepfather’s wife?  I wonder what she thinks about his “motley” crew of children and grandchildren?  I know one thing, he is a package deal!

Snow Days Are The Best Days

I don’t even care that we will have to make this day up at the end of the year!  It was such a sweet and unexpected surprise to hear the news anchor report that our school district had no school today!  You have to understand that our superintendent must be vying for the No Snow Day Under My Watch award because he rarely closes down—no matter what the weather conditions are.  But today it happened to be  -27 below.

Luckily Nicholas had a snow day as well!

I was able to sleep in for some much needed rest.  I have no idea how I will “seize” the rest of the day.  No worries, I will find a way!