What Makes You Happy?

What makes you happy?     For those of you who are regular readers of my blog, you may recall that my daughter Heather has a third party  that sends a question to me each week via email this year.  That was the question a few weeks ago.  I have several responses to the question about what makes me happy.  My first response is something I read a few years ago from one of my favorite preachers and authors, Frederick Buechner.   I recall in one of his books Buechner states that happiness is manmade while joy is God-given.    I believe there is some truth in that.   For example,   I recall several times going to McDonalds  when my children were young and giving in to the request of my children to get a “happy meal”.    In a few minutes time, they would be happy but it would be short-lived.    Happiness is like that.   It is here today, and is gone tomorrow. 

   

My second response is that I cannot say that there is only one thing that brings me happiness or joy.   There are so many things, and most of them are fairly simple.    For me, happiness/joy are the following:

• ·         Being on the hill at Frank Liske Park watching the sun set with Ann beside me
• ·         Sharing life, a meal, a trip, and the like with Ann
• ·         Watching a bird eat breakfast or lunch at one of the bird feeders outside our den window
• ·         Watching the sun rise from the balcony at the beach  knowing God has given another day
• ·         Preaching a sermon and getting the sense that something was said by me that was beyond myself and touched someone else
• ·         The sheer joy and fun of being with my children, their husbands, and the grandchildren especially when everyone is there
• ·         Watching a newly fallen snow
• ·         Eating my first tomato sandwich of the season
• ·         Being together with a church congregation for the high seasons of the Christian year like Christmas, Easter, and the like
• ·         Being the officant at a wedding and seeing the bride and groom as they began their life together
• ·         Seeing a new born baby (especially when that child is one of my grandchildren)
• ·         Watching the earth and clouds beneath me as I fly in a plane
• ·         Giving a gift to someone I love and seeing them surprised about the gift
• ·         Opening a letter in the mail from one of my children with a note or from  one of the grandchildren

These are some of the images that come to mind when I think of what makes me happy.   I am certain there are many more.   I am so grateful for my life and the blessing that it is.   I encourage you to make your own list of what brings you joy or happiness.  Have a joy-filled week.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:    O God,  you are the giver and source of all happiness and joy.   Thank you for your goodness that is fresh every morning;  through Christ our Lord.   Amen.