I’ve had several people get on my case about not writing in
this blog for an unreasonable amount of time. So here I am! Where have I been? I’ve been off thinking (always dangerous) and
making some changes (scary) in our lives and now we are finally getting into
the swing of things.
A few months ago I read a book called The World Book of
Happiness by Leo Bormans. There is no
shortage of books or blogs out there on the topic of happiness as most people
are constantly trying to seek happiness.
Most authors conclude the same things and give a lot of the same advice.
As turbulent as my life has been the last 3 years, I figured it was fine time I
research bringing more happiness back into my life. Obviously I look at things from a biblical
worldview and alter concepts to fit into my biblical worldview, but here are a
few things that stood out from Bormans’ book.
- Accept what you have if you can’t change it.
- Change what you don’t like if you can.
- Cherish the ones you love and cut out the ones who drag you down.
- Don’t compare.
- Stop worrying what other people think.
- Always be positive.
- Live like there is no tomorrow.
I began to look at these ideas one by one and there are
certainly areas I need to work harder. Some
things in my life needed change and over the course of several months I changed
several things that just were a constant burden on my heart.
I’ve written months ago about our move from the hectic world
of the dreaded commute to homeschooling.
Homeschooling worked for a season of time and now our kids all attend
public school. For the most part, public
school is going well. It has really opened
our eyes regarding having our children in the same Christian bubble all their
lives. They have grown so much in the
last few months. I must say I am SO
proud of them! God has truly blessed us
with amazing children!
We also have chosen to attend a different church. There was no one thing about our former
church that made us leave and we harbor no ill will. There are just times in life when it’s best to
pack up and move to further His Kingdom in other places. If you think about the early churches in the
New Testament, moving around and ministering in different areas expanded the
gospel so much better than if, say, the Apostle Paul had driven down roots in
just one church for his entire adult life.
In my opinion the church is not a building any way. The church is the body of Christ and those
relationships never go away. My brothers
and sisters in Christ are always going to be my friends and brothers and
sisters in Christ. Attending a church in
a new location doesn’t change that. We
continue to be sensitive to God’s leading and where He wants us to serve and be
served.
I’ve found that it’s in silence most times that we hear from
the Lord the most. In silence rest
occurs. When we hear from the Lord and
are rested, healing can begin. Happiness
is the Lord.
I’ll talk more about these things in the future, I’m
sure. But for now, I better make this
post so it doesn’t get too long. And I’ll
ask you to consider if any of these points stand out to you in your own
life? What is sucking the happiness out
of your life?
