About a month ago my dad told me it seemed like my job was robbing me of my joy, and I believe it truly was. He then gave me the permission to quit if I was no longer happy working there, and that eventually became the case. I quit a little over two weeks ago and I feel so much lighter. It became emotionally taxing and I needed to be able to prepare my mind body and spirit for the World Race. I believe my joy is being restored in each of those aspects.
Lately, this phrase has been said to me, “You look happy.” I have prayed that people would be able to see the Lord through me. I believe this is the Lord showing up and answering this prayer. The words “You look happy” have so much of a deeper meaning in my life right now. It doesn’t mean that just because you smile means that you’re happy. My definition of the phrase means your soul is happy and it can be seen just by the way you carry yourself, or by the way you talk, or the way your eyes light up when you smile, and you smile with your eyes.
Being happy has so many different meanings and interpretations. To me it means that you are satisfied in the Lord and what he has placed in front of you, and that nothing else matters. He can take something so simple and just show you how mighty and powerful he is. For example, I went to a wedding in the mountains with my friend as her plus one. While I was packing for our little mountain trip, I specifically picked out my t-shirt that I sold to people to fundraise for the World Race. In my head I said I’m going to wear this when we go to this particular mountain. Mind you, I don’t usually pick out clothes like that when I’m packing. So we go to that mountain and I’m wearing that shirt and a girl about me and my friends age asked me about the World Race and then her friends and me and my friend began talking about Jesus and life. When we were parting ways we prayed at the top of that mountain together. God works through the smallest things, but acts in the biggest ways. He shows us how to be happy in him and everything he has provided for us.
Happiness is something that should not be taken lightly. I believe that if you’re not happy with what you have then it’s time to move on and find what makes you truly happy. For me, it’s simplicity. The smallest gesture could make me so happy for the rest of the day.
God works in the small things and the big things, but we have to open our eyes to recognize that it’s HIS work and not mans.
He is all that we need to be truly happy and satisfied.
