Happiness

Drew loves his job.

I mean he just LOVES his job. He started working at Office Max on December 5th of this past year. It's the one by Ace Hardware very close to our home. Generally, he works Tuesday & Thursdays from 4.00 till 9.30 and Saturday from 1.00 till 8.30. When he comes home, he plops down in front of me and while catching up with his text messages and buddies, he bubbles over with stories and laughter from his latest shift. An interesting customer, his awesome manager, something really cool about a co-worker, how he enjoys working "the front end" (register & greeting, rather than stocking, shelving, and organizing). He laughs, he smiles, he jokes. He loves his job so much, he even says, "I just love my job" at least once during these wind-down sessions.

This morning as I woke, I thought about what makes me happiest, and as a parent it is undoubtedly when my kiddos are happy and filled with joy. Yes, I love their friends and girlfriends and having these dear kiddos in our home, getting to know them, and investing in their journey of life. Yes, I am so pleased when one of our sons brings home a great report card. Yes, I do love when they spontaneously just clean their rooms and make their beds (and that is rare enough that the smile it gives me is pretty big!). Yes, I love watching them play sports, use their bodies, and explore new things. But at the top of my list ... has to be when they are just bubble-over happy, laughing, and living life well. Drew's joy about work so captures this -- he's being healthy, productive, loving on others, laughing, and joy-filled. Man does that feel ohhhh-sooooo good. Their happiness makes me so happy.

As my eyes fluttered between sleep and awake this morning, and my body stretched, and as I wiggled the fingers on my left hand that are stiff and painful every morning now as I age (grr!), I pondered about how another really cool thing about parenting is that by giving us children, God has given us an bit of an understanding as to himself as our Father. The things that bring tears of grief to my parenting eyes so resemble the things that grieve God about humankind. And conversely, the things that bring me the greatest joys ~ the miracle of a new baby, the spiritual birth of a child, the loving contribution our kiddos make to others ~ are the same things that bring Him great joy with all of His children.

So back to where I started, Drew loves his job and in sharing his happiness with me, my heart is filled with great joy. God intends for us, even more so, he LONGS for us to be happy and joy-filled, too, and to share it with Him. It is in such happiness that His joy in us is made complete. If we are to be "dutiful children" and honor our Lord, then we really do need to figure this issue out, get over the mindsets that make us feel that we "shouldn't be too happy" and manage better our life issues so that we aren't robbed of our happiness. We need to make happiness a priority!

Grace Chapel will be providing a weekend getaway entitled "Joy in the Rockies" for women to refine, refuel, and refresh ~ it will be held, God-willing, April 28-30, 2006 at Beaver Run Resort in Breckinridge (Friday evening through mid-day Sunday). As part of this retreat, there will be lots of time for swimming, hot tubs, lady chitter-chatter, in addition to great teaching sessions (I believe our Char is speaking ~ yeah!) and worship. And on Saturday morning, the attendees will be able to choose 3 workshops (out of 9 offered) for one-hour sessions on something tailored for individual hearts. I will be teaching one of these workshops which I've entitled, "The Happiness Workshop." We were purposefully designed by our creator for Happiness ~~ by living in the true love of God and love of others ~~ and we will be exploring and applying His lessons during this workshop.

I love the April Ladies Retreat. I love the close, close time of hanging out with dear friends ~ staying up too late talking, laughing over girl things, and sharing hurts that are struggling to get healed. I love the teaching and worship that is focused on application and growth. I love the connection with my God and my others. And I want to make sure that if this is something that would be a blessing to you that you have the opportunity to attend. Registration will begin soon, and prices vary based on room size and number of women per room. Check your hearts and check your calendars. This will be a fun time for everyone.

And whether or not Joy in the Rockies will be part of your life in April, my hope and prayer for you is that your day be filled with love, joy, peace and HAPPINESS! Love like there's no tomorrow. Laugh like no one is watching. Dance under the stars and through the house. Be filled with the knowledge and faith that God loves you without measure or limit. Skip around the block. Call someone just to share a word of love and encouragement. Pray for your loved ones. And more than anything, let's give thanks to our creator for all the blessings He's bestowed upon us and the ones we love :~)

Love you all,
Sherrie