Happy or Joy

When listening to people talk about their lives many times I will hear, “I just want to be happy”… what does that mean? Does it mean we don’t want to share the duties of raising children, share the money, or just share? Do we want to live a single life of not being depended upon? Yet, aren’t we responsible for those around us, don’t our co-workers expect us to show up for work and our boss expects maximum energy and production from us? I have never quite understood that statement, “I just want to be happy”. Several years ago I learned that happy is fleeting but it is inner joy that brings fulfillment and satisfaction with life. My Christian ladies Bible/Book Club recently read a true story about a woman who was raised as an atheist and who scorned Christians. One day she found herself entering a church...not understanding why, yet it was on that first chance meeting that she found God and Jesus. God is amazing and loving. He brought this woman into the family of God, which brought more meaning to her life than she could have dreamed. She is now an advocate for the poor and downtrodden by serving food with the heart and joy of a giant. Walking along the path God has laid out for us is the true joy of life. When we allow God to lead us in the direction that is best for us there will be no fear as we know He holds our hand. I pray we find the inner joy only God and Jesus can bring into our lives. It isn’t with fancy homes, expensive toys or traveling the world…it is through our Christian fellowship, prayer and Bible study that allows our faith to grow. 1John 2:5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him. Let us spend some quiet time with Jesus…then we can say, “I feel the Joy”… Smiles & Blessings, Cynthia Collins Kaitfors