Happiness?

"So I've been thinking about this whole being happy thing... and I feel like people get lost when they think of happiness as a destination. Someday we'll be happy, when I get that car or that job or that person in our life that will fix anything.  But happiness is a mood.  It's a condition, not a destination.  It's like being tired or hungry; it's not permanent.  It comes and goes and that's ok.  I feel like if people thought about it that way, we'd find happiness more often." --Julian, One Tree Hill

I was watching TV tonight and heard one of the characters on One Tree Hill say this quote about happiness.  At first, I thought how beautiful of a sentiment it was, but as I stopped to examine his words, I realized that there is a deep sadness that accompanies this outlook.  Julian started out on the right track when he voiced that happiness is not a destination.  Truth.  Because of Christ, we have happiness that flows from inside.  It is not something we aspire to achieve, but rather something that we are given and a response to the love that we have been shown.  I understand that things happen and it is natural to be sad, but thinking about happiness as something that "comes and goes" seems so depressing.  I agree that happiness is not found in possessions or achievements, but if happiness, as defined by Julian, is transient, then what then is depriving us of the emotion? What is the source of our happiness if we can so easily lose it?  Are we putting our hopes upon something that is temporary or something that is eternal? Something empty of fulfilling? Something imperfect or something perfect? You see, when you move from the temporary to the eternal, the empty to the fulfilling, the imperfect to the perfect, you find a never ending source of happiness, comfort, love, tenderness, and joy.  Life is not perfect, and God made us to experience all range of emotions, but think about that next time you catch yourself slipping into a sour mood.... what defines your happiness?  What has the right to deprive you of the joy God created you to experience?  Happiness is a destination.  It is not achieving the American dream.  Happiness, true joy, is found in Jesus Christ. Knowing how deep and wide his love is for me, his unfailing provision, his enduring promises, his grace and mercy that know no bounds... my happy place is in God.

I'd love to know your thoughts.

A Modge Podge of Thoughts

Sorry for the absence of blogging...  After I finished grad school, I spent a month traveling (most of which was spent in SE Asia! - more to come about this later), and then came back to a brand new job.  Well, things are under way and I'm adjusting to a non-student life again.  I'm loving all of this new free time! It's fantastic! I'm looking at an exciting move around the corner (which means many chances to decorate!), free time, no school, new volunteer opportunities, and just generally catching up on all of the things I have neglected this past year while I was slaving away (maybe not slaving away) in grad school.  It's crazy because yet again things in my life have fallen perfectly into place. There are still some decisions I need to make, but the great thing is that I have the time and peace in my life to think through them. I love the possibilities that accompany free time.  I'm excited for what God is going to do in my life this year.  I'm always amazed at his perfect timing and the way his blessings provide more than enough.

Today at work I learned about a community partnership Duke has with the city of Durham... needless to say I am quite excited about new opportunities to volunteer! Anyone else out there work for Duke and want to be a part of this with me??? https://community.duke.edu/ddnp/volunteer/index.php Let me know!

Also, I'm looking for a book of the Bible to take my ninth grade girls through this fall. Think New Testament.... they're still at the age where the OT puts them to sleep. I'd love feedback and opinions! I have a few ideas, but there is so much good stuff in each book that it is hard for me to choose.  Last year we focused a lot on foundational elements, things that would help them really begin to put down deep roots in the gospel.  This year, we are going to focus on learning to really dig into the Word: how to understand scripture, pray through a passage, draw out the meaning, place the events within Biblical history, and so forth. Basically, it is my hope to help my girls learn how to abide with Christ, and reading his living, breathing Word is one way to do that!