HAPPINESS. GLADNESS. JOY.


This morning I felt the Lord leading me to Psalm 32: 1-2 and Romans 4: 2b-5. They spoke to me loudly. Isn't that a wonderful thing about the Lord? How many times do we read verses and they don't stick out particularly. That is until He is ready for us to 'see' them and until we are ready to 'see' them. I believe that was the case today. Even in church this morning our pastor referred the miracle of Jesus turning the water into wine and having happiness or joy. He said that in John 2 we have the first powerful miracle Jesus performed (1 of 7 in the book of John), there were 6 clay pots; "6" and "clay" are both symbolic of man. Jesus said for them to fill them with water to the brim; water is symbolic for God's word. What happened? The water became wine which is symbolic of the "Joy" of the Lord.

How often do I 'fill' myself with God's word until it overflows out of me? Not nearly enough, but I will have to say that, when I have, it certainly does overflow out of me and on to those around me. I believe it overflows as happiness, gladness and joy. I can look back over my life and see where others have continually pointed out my happiness.....and some even criticized me for having so much happiness. Believe me it happens. Just over the past few weeks there has been one of my co-workers who has pointed out several times that he enjoys seeing me every day because he knows I will be happy and have a smile on my face! He seems lately to always comment about my happiness...and for some reason; it has stood out more than normal to me. You know what? Another co-worker who is known for her high-flying temper and impatience, all but pushed back from her desk, turned to him and said, "Look, there is something you don't understand, she has a husband who worships the ground she walks on, he does everything for her and if I had a husband like that, I would be happy too, but I don't!" I think both he and I were taken back by that statement and I can say that I didn't respond as God would have had me to respond, I am sure. I was just dumbfounded and told him that my husband is very good to me and I moved on. But hindsight says it all, doesn't it? A better response to her comment would have been one that would have given God the glory for every smidge of my happiness. I failed the test. But I do have a loving God who will, again, test me. I just have to be quick-minded enough to say what the Holy Spirit leads me to say rather than what my flesh pops into my mouth. I am getting better in my 'old-age' and spiritual maturity to be able to at least discern when I have been tested....just still not so good at the response end of the whole thing. I am getting there, I just know I am and you know what? I am happy through it all...so very happy.