My sister-in-law, Martha, was a trip! She had a way of looking at things that made even the mundane things funny. She loved people and life itself and losing her in 2005 was crushing for those who loved her. I know you can relate. But, she left us with the concept of a “Happy Place”. When things were tough, she would always remind us to each go to our happy place.
We talk of the difference between joy and happiness: that joy is something that comes from the Lord and from knowing Him and that it can always be with us. Happiness, on the other hand, is fleeting and dependent on circumstances so it comes and goes.
As we look back at 2020, we may find it difficult to find happiness anywhere. Most of us would probably agree it wasn’t our favorite year. I saw something that said, “I’m not counting this year in my birthdays because I didn’t get anything out of it.” A friend sent me a Christmas wish and said she wasn’t writing a holiday letter this year because “it just wasn’t good enough to write about.” Some of us laugh at that; others are nodding our heads in agreement.
I got to thinking about this as I was bemoaning those things we have done without this year. But, then, Martha’s voice echoed in my head, “Go to your happy place”. What is that? It isn’t necessarily a location, though it might be. It might involve getting busy doing something – planting flowers, trimming, raking leaves. Something outside. Or, maybe it’s a matter of refocusing. The thought of it snapped me out of my funk, and I realized there were also many good things that transpired this year: new jobs for some, a graduation, a first grader starting school, a new baby on the way, some coming through illness or surgeries successfully.
Each day brings its challenges, just as each year has its difficulties, losses or down times. But, not every moment is bad. What will you find if you go to your happy place? The blessings are right there, waiting for you to look.
“He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul…” (Psalm 23:2b-3a)
Happiness in is the LORD!
A wise man said to me that happiness was the result of a contented life. A contented life is a life that knows Jesus as savior.
Her words still ring in my head every day! She taught me to choose happy and to see the blessings in every disappointment too. She also had the joy when things were not happy.
Happy place for me is secure in the Lord’s care as Psalm 23 expresses.
Thank you Teri!
What a saint she was
A great reminder that there is a happy place in that secret place ALWAYS!
I think Happiness is a choice, and Joy is a gift. My happy place is in the joy that comes from God. 😊
I’m with Marilin. Joy with Jesus is a gift; happiness is a choice. Being with CBS is joy.
I will work on “My Happy Place”. Thanks, Teri.