Sunday, October 29, 2006

Shiny, Happy People

This is my post dedicated to happiness.

I realize there should be joy dwelling in all those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior. But I think sometimes we downplay happiness because we think it's shallow or just a passing phase based on our circumstances.

But when was the last time you really encountered a happy person? A happy Christian?

I say happiness is getting a bad rap. Happy is not so bad. Not a fake, "Well, praise the Lord and hallelujah, I just had my bunions removed, but God is good all the time and all the time God is good!!" type of happy, but a balanced, real person who is pouring life into you.

I was sitting in a church choir rehearsal a few weeks ago and I looked across at the other choir members for a moment. My eyes immediately settled on a middle-aged woman who looked so incredibly sad and defeated. I wanted desperately to see her smile, to see her enjoy singing and experience the way it can breathe fresh life into a soul. Now, I have no idea what she was going through or the circumstance that occurred before she walked into rehearsal that night. I realize it's pretty easy to be happy when life is all cotton candy and popcorn. And there are times when it is down-right inappropriate to be happy.

But, isn't it time to start acting and looking like we are the children of a very good King? Can't we claim happiness for once instead of complaining about politics, church situations, and anything else we can come up with?

I like happy people. Happy people don't take themselves so seriously. They know when to let go and let it ride. They have a way of making people breathe easier. I want to be a happy person. Mostly to my husband and children, because I think I am the least happy around them, to be honest. But that's another post...

11 comments:

Jeannie said...

I think it's really weird that the post before this one is called happy blogger and i even use the word happy again in the dumb post! pathetic.

Unknown said...

when we lived in plainwell we got a letter from an area church inviting us to visit their congregation. they described themselves as 'friendly, happy people filled with the joy of Christ.' say it out loud. it's pretty funny. it made it even more hilarious to know that the pastor and his wife were not friendly or happy.

Susan said...

Loved your post, inspires me to be a happy Christian because I am so abundantly blessed and have NO reason to be a sad Christian!

Holly said...

I agree, we should be more content w/life and not stressed and down all the time. I admit, that is something I struggle with. It just seems like if it's not one thing it's another, and I keep forgetting shouldn't stress. That God is big enough and faithful enough to pull me through even the stuff that seems incirmountable (hope I spelled that right since I'm typing to my english teacher :P). I'll try to keep that in mind the next time it feels like nothing more can go wrong...lol :)

Josh Buck said...

good thoughts. it made me look at my own life and realize that for a long time i was one of those people in a situation where it was inappropriate to be happy. it also made me realize that to a certain extent, happiness is a choice. this post also makes me realize that i'm getting to a point that i can be happy naturally and thank God for that. Life continues on and sadness remains but joy has come.
(too deep? sorry :0) )

Jeannie said...

This post was a reaction to week where I felt like all the happy people had left the planet...I realize happiness cannot be an all day, everyday thing. Just lookin' for that centered, real person who can "laugh at the days to come..." (proverbs 31)

Janine said...

Good post, Jeannie! Happiness is a choice. God tells us over and over in the Bible to rejoice, be happy, etc. There is a reason he keeps repeating himself! Human beings are awfully whiney. Some more than others.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I've missed you, happy girl! How was "up north"? I can't wait to see you tomorrow night at choir!

Sing on, my alto friend, sing on.

Anonymous said...

Who's she calling an alto?

Jeannie said...

yeah, it's weird, in Texas I sang alto on worship team, and here in MN, I sing alto in worship choir, but soprano on wteam. and let me just say, i have much more respect for altos now. grin.

Anonymous said...

I was also a soprano, wanna-be-alto...now I have no range and so I got my wish...alto it is!

I'm struggling a little with what it means to be happy--I think what I'm really looking for though is content...to be so in any situation. Hard.