Despite the many setbacks, I have experienced, because of God’s grace I am an exceedingly happy person. My contentment has prevailed since I opened my heart to Jesus 34 years ago. Christ’s presence has carried me through sorrow, loss, and much physical pain and trauma.

I am grateful for a life now rich with good friends, a comfortable home, a devoted husband, and a loving family. Yet, the things that bring me happiness might seem mundane to others.

For me, happiness is

• reading a good book by the fireplace in winter
• family chatter at the dinner table
• raising my voice in songs of praise at worship
• arranging a bouquet of flowers picked from my garden
• feeling cozy in my home during a storm
• participating in family devotions
• sitting in my chair my the window where I can view our little neighborhood world go by
• the everyday events that warm my heart

I look back at the person I was before I trusted God and marvel at how wonderful it is to feel morally clean and content to be the person I am now. Because I trust Christ to impart His wisdom and protection to me for the duration of my life, and I know what a wonderful life with Him awaits me beyond this life, I can face the future unafraid anticipating the good things that will come my way.

A little Sunday school song puts it succinctly— Happiness is to know the Savior/Living a life within His favor/Having a change in my behavior/Happiness is the Lord. That expresses the depth and breadth of happiness that is available to all of us who walk with Christ, because for us…

Happiness Is the Lord

Although life has its sorrows
And love its ups and downs
Believers face their days with smiles
More often than with frowns
And happiness comes from little things
And not from what ones riches brings
Joy comes not from opulence
But from the songs of praise we sing