Be Happy!

We had a really nice weekend spending time doing the things we love.

 

Charles smoked some meat to share with others over this holiday week.

Chuck being silly when I captured him playing his computer game.

Becca trying to figure out what she was going to add to that new level she was creating on her game.

Major chawing down on that great big stick!  Is chawing really a word?  haha - and not really sure why he likes to chew on wood, but he does.

God says in Proverbs 17:22,  ^"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones."  Being happy and being merry is good for your soul, for your spirit and also for your body.  This verse shows a broken spirit and dry bones result from not having a merry heart.  Are you taking time to do the things you love, things that make you happy. 

Proverbs 15:13  A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. When our hearts are merry, we will be cheerful and fun to be around.  I can think of several friends over the years that are truly fun and joyful to be around.  They smile and are full of life.  The second half of the verse talks about sorrow of the heart breaking the spirit.  I can also bring to mind others who have been downtrodden over the years.  In the beginning it isn't as difficult to be around them, because they need our help, encouragement will sometimes bring them out of their rut.  But there are those people, that don't seem to want to let go of the mully grubbies.  They are down and want to stay that way.  Their spirit is broken and at times seem to want to suck the joy out of you too.  Who are you drawn to?  Who are you like?

I read a book recently that had an excellent illustration.  They shared about this woman - an U.G.L.Y woman!   Well, the story went a little bit like this.  One day a couple went to a store and the lady working at the counter had a group of guys around her, they were joking and laughing and having a grand old time.  The wife who was observing her was thinking how homely this lady was, well not really homely - she thought she was ugly - not just ugly, but hillbilly ugly.   They finished shopping and were heading out of the store, when the wife made a comment to her husband about all the crowd, especially the men drawn to this lady.  Her husband made a comment back, something like - who? oh, that cute, little lady behind the counter?  The wife's jaw dropped - she thought to herself, REALLY?, but didn't comment.  The wife thought about his comment, and about the lady.  She was not cute, not little and not young.  She was fun though, she was always smiling, laughing, giggling and ready to joke around.  She was a delight to be around.  The wife thought about it for a moment and realized she loved being around her just as much as that group of men.  A few weeks later, the husband and wife saw her at a different store.  She was angry at her daughter and was not being the joy she always was at her work place.  Instead, she had a bitter, ugly snarl.  The husband saw her and remarked, Where have I seen her - she looks familiar?  He was stunned when his wife told him who she was.  She looked exactly the same - same size, hairstyle, clothes - but she was lacking one important thing.  Her glorious smile was missing.  It is what made her cute, sweet and drew people to her.  Everyone is drawn to a smile and wants to be friends with those overflowing with goodwill.  Be happy and have fun - our lives are much too short to be a snarly, ugly hillbilly!