Happy

“Are you ever surprised when God answers your prayer positively?”

It’s a question from CelebrationNet,* a daily devotional I receive from City on a Hill in Fort Worth.

It’s a good question wherever one is.

Up to the challenge, I tried to write a clever, earth-shaking answer – to no avail. That’s not unusual once in a while, but what actually was odd was I wan’t upset, concerned or preoccupied – with anything.

As I dug deeper into my bag of inspirational tricks, I noticed a peaceful silence. Under such circumstances this rarely happens in my world.

Feeling I needed a touch with reality I looked at the local news. Yep, the sun came up and air is in good supply. I stared at my screen and then began keying Richard III – again, to prime my creative pump. “Now is the winter of our discontent…” But I stopped and I laughed. Key. Delete. Delete. I realized I’m not remotely discontent.

Reflecting upon another of my standard primers, I keyed from Sense and Sensibility: “..that sanguine expectation of happiness which is happiness itself…”

That was it! Content to simply breathe, I rested my head back against my hands and enjoyed doing absolutely nothing for a while.

As I did, I realized I feel safer and more comfortable than I can remember. The pantry and refrigerator are full and the bills are all current. I enjoy the company of my oldest and best friend daily. My kids, grand kids and my long-distance friends check in with me regularly. For days now I’ve been energetic and up to every task presented to me without pain (on a scale of 1 – 10, 1 late in the day).

I believe I’m happy! I looked it up /ˈhapē/ adjective: feeling or showing pleasure or contentment; fortunate and convenient. Wow.

I’ve often prayed for peace and joy to dominate my being. I have spoken happiness into being, calling things that are not as though they are. * I always believed I would be happy someday – in heaven. Today I’m not actually surprised, I’m simply happy.

What’s more, I’m not looking for anything to make me unhappy or concerned – I’m relatively confident such will find me soon enough. And I intend to be ready with this post bookmarked to my desktop.

So,maybe Tony DiNozzo is gone on to life outside of NCIS. More of Moriarty’s evil deeds loom ominously before Holmes and Watson. Nobody knows how Kate and Richard Castle actually survived – but they did. I shall continue to pray over the Presidential Primaries – fervently. Alisan Porter won this season of the Voice. And it’s still only Thursday.

Though the words feel peculiar in my mouth, I’m calling it: I’m happy.

Thank You so very much, God.

“When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!” “You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.” Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed.” Acts 12:14-16 (NLT)

 

* “That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.”This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.” Romans 4:17 (NLT)

Images courtesy ABSFreePic

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Extended Pause

I hereby express my heartfelt regrets to friends, family and my blogosphere community for my extended distance. As dear brothers Seagh and Edmund would strongly advise, appreciate the quiet while it lasts – 😀

Now that we’ve acquired a new (to us) sofa and love seat, Erin and I continue the integration process. Rearranging her family’s years of collecting wondrous belongings to make room for “The Great and Powerful Roo” and her stuff, much has temporarily slipped between the cracks.

Things I have missed:

• Daily perusing the very enlightening and entertaining posts from my fellow bloggers,
• Emptying my inbox daily,
• Exploring the Reader for new blogs,
• Daily texts or chats with one of the kids and grand kids,
• Reading – anything other than momentary pauses in the library (bathroom), and short emails marked “urgent” or “immediate attention required,”
• “Urgent” and “immediate attention required” have become subjective to the tasks du jour,
• Make up. Scary, I know, but we’re all getting quite used to it,
• Leisurely walks around the neighborhood
  • our walks have been exclusive to the post office and grocery store,
• Daily vacuuming has been deferred to every other day – or so.
  • The 2 cats have no problem with this,
• Yoga and my daily weight workout – lifting and bending to sort boxes suffice,
• Meal planning – we eat whatever is ready when we notice excessive silliness,
• Paperwork – a box for catching “non-urgent” mail and receipts must suffice “for now,”
• “For Now” has become an extended course,
• Early May planting has been deferred to late May,
• Daily texts and conversations with Roan and Opal have paused,
• Tony DiNozzo is leaving the NCIS Team? What in the world…
• Doing absolutely nothing for almost an hour.

With all the newness New routines:

• The view of the Mesa and the Monument every morning,
• Sunday dinner with the local family – every single week,
• No moist heat packs or cold compresses needed – every single day,
• Hearing “We are/I am so glad you’re here” and “I love you” – every single day,
• Saying, “Good night, sweet dreams” and “Good morning. How was your rest?” – every single day.

And yet with all this change the world continues to turn. {Happy sigh}

 

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.” Philippians 4:11 (NLT)