Here’s a loaded question, but … are you happy?

Take a moment before answering to think on this.  Don’t just give an off the cuff answer.  I want to know if, in the quiet moments before everyone awakens in the mornings and with the stillness of the late nights, are you truly happy?  I’m not talking about an on-the-surface plastered kind of happy with a fake smile for everyone you see in your day.  I’m referring to being content deep down in your heart and soul.  That kind of happy.

There will be things that happen in our days that threaten to steal our joy.  People will make sarcastic comments to us or will be hateful in general just because they are having a bad day.  There will also be those that pick us apart no matter how hard we try or after a great accomplishment.  Will we let those people affect us when in all honesty their opinions should matter very little?

If you are happy deep within, to the very core of your being, these things will not be able to steal your joy or strip away the happiness you feel inside.

For me, I can honestly say that I am happy.  I have a beautiful family that God has brought back together.  We’re working on strengthening our marriage so it will be better than ever before.  I have two beautiful children who are growing into gorgeous young women.  They have a lot going for them in their faith, how intelligent they both are, and the love and compassion that they have in their hearts for their fellow man.  We are surrounded by God’s love, and we feel it – we know it is there.  We can rest in the assurance that God will never leave us nor forsake us.  IF HE is for us – and He most certainly is – who could be against us?  And if there are people against us in this world – why would it matter when we have the King of King and Lord of Lord on our side?

My happiness does not come from material possessions or money in the bank.  I could care less about how big someone’s house is or how new their cars are.  I live in a very comfortable house in the country with several acres surrounding me for my horses to roam free.  I don’t need a million dollar home on the beach to be happy.  This is my happy.  Thank God I’m a country girl!

As I sit here pondering all that I have to be thankful for and all of the things that make me happy in life, I stop for a moment to consider those that only find happiness in material things.  How sad is it that the only happiness some people can find in this life is by reviewing their bank statements or reflecting on their material possessions?  There are some people that don’t have families, with children running and playing in the backyards, to enrich their lives, and that saddens my heart.

Some people find happiness only in their job titles or how high they have climbed up the corporate ladder, no matter who they stepped on along the way.  That is yet another thing that is hard for me to grasp.  A nice job is wonderful as it pays the bills and enables you to take trips with your family, but if that is the only thing that you focus on, you are really missing out in life.  That company could go out of business, close their doors, or … they could decide one day to replace you.  Then what would you do?  IF your happiness is wrapped up in your job, you’re in trouble.

Focus on what really matters most, and you will find overwhelming happiness when you look into the eyes of your children as they are smiling from ear to ear.  Or when you see the soft smile form across your husband’s lips as he says, “I love you,” and you know without a shadow of a doubt that he means it now, he truly means it … because you can feel it!

Just this morning, we had our five horses out roaming the yard for free grazing.  My youngest daughter, all of ten years old, ran around with the biggest smile on her face as she walked up beside each horse and began to pet them.  Then she would run around with her little goat chasing after her, bucking and kicking due to the happiness she felt by having such freedom today.  Moments like these make me happy!

Enjoy the rest of your day, and take time to reflect on things that truly matter that make you happy.  IF you can’t find anything, then you need to do a little soul searching and have a long talk with the Man Upstairs who can restore happiness in your life if you ask.