Yes, we have a contract for the sale of our current house. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for God’s will and kairos-timing!
But no, that has nothing to do with happiness. (Although we ARE relieved!)
*
Happiness as a concept came up the other day in the middle of a podcast. Listening to 2 professional baseball players describing their dream job gave me pause.
These men are in the height of their ball careers; they are married to women who love and support them; they are followers of Christ and they are what the world would call successful. What more could one ask?
But when they described their schedules, I thought – “Who would want that kind of life, that kind of day?” It’s April and their baseball season is ramping up. A snapshot of their lives reveals this kind of quotidian activity:
They….
· whizz by middle America while riding on buses, briefly stopping a day or two in forgettable cities
· crack nuts, spit out pistachio shells while hanging out in dugouts
· study their Bibles in sweaty locker rooms
· risk injury and mercurial statistics on the diamonds
· catch up with wives & children by skyping in the evenings from different hotels
This is what little boys dream of? Sacrifice for? Skip ‘life’ for?
I thought about what it takes to make me happy – and it boils down to how I get to spend my day. No matter WHAT the job, WHAT the family arrangement, WHAT the finances, WHAT the health, WHAT the house and stuff…..what makes me happy is:
· Being well-rested
· Spending unconstrained time reading my Bible and meditating on what God shows me about Himself, His Love and my future with Him and fellow members of the ‘holy bridal party’
· Eating healthy food while sharing thoughtful conversation with Mike… other family… friends
· Walking/ working out an hour a day
· Keeping up with email, podcasts and blogs on the internet
· Reading good books each day
I already have all the above right now in my life. Any other details, including where I work, where I live, where I worship…those are the interchangeable parts.
Maybe you think I’m too reductionist. But it sure is freeing to know that I don’t have to have anything else to make me happy.
Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”
Apr 29, 2013 @ 12:21:40
That’s a wonderful list, Maria – I have the freedom to do some of those things, especially if I get up before 5 a.m.!
Apr 29, 2013 @ 12:35:49
You’re right! That’s why I get up at 4:15….it’s so I can have the time to do what’s impt to me. Thanks always for your encouraging comments! Praying for your friends headed to Afgh soon