Happy

I was blessed last night to run kids around and I found myself standing in the back of 50+ little girls and feeling like I wanted to just run to a quite place.  At our church I found a place with a friend and we listened to each other.  It was more than just chatting away about our days and more than just griping about our crazy kids, it was loving on each and just allowing God to move in us.  I have been thinking about this time all morning and thinking how amazing our God is for allowing us to be imperfect.  Thank you Jesus.  The word HAPPY stood out to me last night and I have been thinking about it all night and morning. Happy!  Who the freak is truly "happy" everyday.  What exactly is happy anyways?  The dictionary defines it like this:

1. delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing.

2. characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy.

I was telling JM this morning while taking him to work," who really is happy by these standards?"  It makes me think of those people who are always smiling and laughing and bubbly. Come on ... that is just not realistic. Happy usually comes with a feeling.  Like everything is great and dandie...what happens when it's not?   I am happy that Jesus is with me and that I do not need to put on a front in my life.  I don't need to be bubbly or smiley but I am content in my relationship with Christ, which is not made from a feeling but rather from faith.  

I guess what I am trying to say is that happiness is not mandatory for our faithfulness.  God never promised us that we would be happy-go-lucky people.  In fact he said would come across trials.   For me happiness doesn't always come with a feeling but rather from having faith and knowing that at the end of it all, in Christ, I am still standing.  Happiness is knowing I have faith in a God who has redeemed me.  Happiness is knowing that I can cry on a friend's shoulder.  Happiness is knowing that when I suck God can make me better!