We weren't promised happiness.

I just heard another story that made me so sad.  A marriage of 28 years was ending because one person in the marriage "just wasn't happy".  I've heard this so many times.  He just doesn't make me happy or she doesn't make me happy. 

First of all, if you're relying on someone else to make you happy, you will always be disappointed.  It's not our job to make other people happy.  Does that make you squirm a little?  We naturally want others to be happy but our relationships shouldn't be defined by that.  It IS our responsibility to add substance to the lives of others.  To love them.  To serve them.  To value them.

Second, we were never promised happiness.  If you think you were, who told you that?  It's a myth, more appropriately - a lie.  Happiness and contentment are two different things.  Sure, we will have moments of happiness in our lives but, it never lasts.  Ever heard the saying "this too shall pass"?  Well, it applies to happiness as well as sorrow.  It always passes thru, never stays forever.  Happiness is defined as  'Good luck; good fortune; prosperity'.  Contentment is defined as  'satisfaction; ease of mind'.  When's the last time you had "ease of mind"?  I personally would rather have ease of mind in ANY circumstance than happiness for only certain circumstances.

What would be better, someone making you happy or being someone with ease of mind?  Marriage isn't a land of happiness.  It gets hard, demanding and stressful.  But, if you can have peace of mind THRU all of that, isn't it worth it?  You should feel loved, served, and valued.  You should know that, when times get tough, you have a partner that is there for the long haul -good AND bad.  Aren't those the vows?  It doesn't say "In happy times only".

So, if you're dissatisfied with your marriage, don't say "they're not making me happy".  Say, "what can I do to love, serve and value this relationship?".  Because, like it or not, we weren't promised happiness.

I plan on applying this starting NOW!!

The wait is almost over....

I was going to start this new post by saying  "tomorrow I will learn my fate."  After a second, I realized this wasn't true.  I already know my fate.  I've known that since I accepted Jesus as my Savior.  The amount of comfort that gives me is indescribable.  I can't possibly imagine this wait without my faith.

That's not to say that this hasn't been completely exhausting and nerve racking.  The battle to keep my mind from going to those deep dark places has drained me of my energy.  Yet, my nerves are so raw that I can't seem to rest.  All this and trying not to show my children my concern, well, it's overwhelming.  Thank God I'm not doing this alone.  I remember that the Holy Spirit lives in me and is giving me His strength.  I'm also frequently reminded of the people who love and pray for me.

So, tomorrow (hopefully) I will not learn my fate but, I will be tested and rewarded for my faith - either way.  It's easy to have faith when life is going well.  Just like it's easy to take your health for granted when you feel good or to stay committed to losing weight when you're having great success.  It's harder when life gets messy.  When you feel like crap.  Or when you hit that plateau in your weight loss.  Is that when you give up?  No.  That's when you grit your teeth, steady yourself and BELIEVE.  Believe in the words of your heavenly father, believe things will get better, believe that your hard work and effort will pay off.

Lately, I feel that the more I try to follow God's will for me, the more I am challenged.  I could moan and whine and cry "no fair" or, I could take it as a compliment.  Satan is scared of the work I can do in the name of Jesus.  He should be!  God will see me through this fire and I will come out more refined and prepared to do His calling.  Be afraid Satan, be very afraid!  For my wait is almost over but yours has only just begun!!!