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Day 78: Happiness is a Journey



June 1, 2020

 Sometimes I wish I had a “jacket cover” for the book that is my life.  I could just flip it over and read the back for a quick summary, and maybe a couple of reviews.  Even better, maybe I could just open the book and read the last couple of pages to see what happens.  Since I cannot do this, I must remember that God is the author of “my life book” and that He loves me.  Sometimes my book is a love story, other times a comedy.  There have been some sad and tragic parts.  But each part is important to the story.  I am in a chapter of my life right now that feels like one of the longest ones because I am waiting on some things that I know are about to change (all for the better).  I feel like the author (God) is rambling and I wish He would just get on with it.  No matter how hard I try, I cannot seem to get to the next part.  And all the trying and struggling is just making me miserable.  When I feel like this, it is time to “let go and let God”.  I must find all the good parts about where my life is right now and stop trying to rush forward.  One of my favorite quotes is “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.” (Souza)  Loving our life where it is right now (appreciating today) and trusting that God is in control can bring us peace and joy.  Is this easy?  No, and not even possible, if we try to do it on our own.  We must pray for strength (more some days than others).  Those of us who have been through more chapters in our book find it easier to be patient and “bide our time”.  We have seen more examples of God’s handiwork and have more experience with “Oh, now I understand what the holdup was… thank you, God for working that out.”  Some of God’s greatest victories in the Bible took a long time to come to fruition.  Why?  Because there were lessons to be learned along the way.  He was teaching people to trust Him.  That is what is happening right now, for all of us.  Each day is a new segment in our book that we get to read and discover a new part of our story.  Today may only add a few sentences, or a whole new chapter.  Only God knows and we must accept His pace and His timing.  We will be happiest when we are on the same page that He is on, not trying to “read ahead” or “rewrite” what He has planned.  And whatever happens, I know that when my story here on Earth is over, my life in eternity with God has just begun!  Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”  In “The Message” translation of The Bible, Psalm 18:24 says:  “God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.”  Enjoy your journey!  Smile and be joyful!

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