Self Saught Happiness is Fleeting

Today in my devotions:
"I have observed that when any of us embarks on the pursuit of happiness for ourselves, it eludes us. Often I've asked myself why. It must be because happiness comes to us only as a dividend. When we become absorbed in something demanding and worthwhile above and beyond ourselves, happiness seems to be there as a by-product of the self giving."
Catherine Marshall

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. Matthew 16:24-25


This really stuck out to me. I think back on what I often think and many often think I believe will make us happy whether it is possessions, certain circumstances, a job, etc... God knows so much more than we do what will instill true happiness and joy in our lives and the root of that is really abiding in Him and what he has for our lives. There we find contentment, happiness, and joy in living for something greater than ourselves. When we look to and into ourselves all the time and focus on trying to make ourselves happy we will always fail in the long run.

Bottom line we can't make ourselves happy! When I really think about the times that I feel the most content, and happy it is when it is obvious that I am in the center of God's will and I am serving others or doing ministry alongside people I love. We should do a whole lot more of searching for that center (the center of God's will) and a lot less of searching for our center ("our true selves"). Perhaps happiness is not about US and like everything else is should be all about HIM.

Autumn is Here!

Living in the depths of Florida for quite awhile I always felt strange not having the natural transition of the seasons and the way of living and the activities associated with each one. It was almost like time stood still without the markings of each special season. (Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine.) Some laughed at my home because it was like perpetual fall inside. I think subconsciously I decorated my home to fill the void of fall in my life. Warm cozy colors of burgundy, orange, brown and dark green. Now I think I have a desire to decorate our next living space with bright, airy colors, probably to combat the many dreary days of winter and many other rainy days that come with living in the northeast. For now I enjoy the fall and my daughter giggling while playing in the leaves for the first time!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot