My friend Bridget shared this post on Facebook a few weeks ago, and I loved everything about it. It was written by Missy from It's Almost Naptime. I have been meaning to repost it here ever since then; and well, "life" just got in the way. I've been busy with Junior Miss, a fun-filled Valentine's weekend of food poisoning with Terry, DDA training for MainStreet board re-certification and getting ready for the upcoming consignment sale...oh, and my more than full-time job & two sweet kiddos!
This morning I received just the prompting I needed to share this with all five of my readers ;) I have been subscribing to the Love Worth Finding Ministries daily devotionals ever since my quest to find another set of Proclamation Ornaments last year. This morning's devotional thought was titled "Happiness versus Joy," and I have copied the contents below.
Devotional thought from the messages of Adrian Rogers
BIBLE MEDITATION:Philippians 4:4 - “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:Happiness comes from outside circumstances. Joy comes from within. It’s cruel to say to people who are in sorrow, “Smile and be happy.” It’s better to come alongside and mourn with them than to try to force the square peg of happiness into a round hole of sorrow. The human life is a life of tragedy, sorrow, heartache, and pain. Yet in every difficulty, you can find joy. Happiness is an outside job. Joy is an inside job.
ACTION POINT:There is someone you know or come in regular contact with who longs for that joy. Find some time this week to bring the joy of the Lord to them.
This goes hand-in-hand with the original post "I Don't Want My Children to Be Happy" that has had such an impact on putting into words everything I want for my own children. It is hard not to get caught up in the moment by doing whatever it takes to make our children happy because as parents we DO want the very best for our children; but most of the time stuff is what they end up with and that is fleeting and ultimately unfulfilling. True joy, contentment and holiness can only come from within - from an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus; and our children should learn that by the example of how we live our lives each day as well as by the things that we place value in...which actually, shouldn't be "things" at all.
Please read this post and share with those you love, so the world can be just a little UN-happier! I could go for that.
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