I often aim to distinguish between the message of joy (eternal and divine) and that of happiness (earthly and temporary). Both are good! But they speak differently to our lives. This doesn’t mean that we should seek joy and ignore happiness; nor the other way around. While our faith guides us into realising the joy of the Lord that lives within us, we can also seek to find glimmers of happiness that bring smiles to our faces for a time.
This past week, I had some such moments – with laughter and frivolity. They were passing moments: watching Santa Claus walking into a local school – and waving enthusiastically at all the cars driving past. Giggling at a funny reel on social media. Laughing through a silly game with friends, where we replace the word “girls” with “Squirrels” in song titles (Squirrels Just Wanna Have Fun, California Squirrels, Squirrel in a Country Song – etc), finishing the novel for next month’s book club. There were connections with friends and family: quick phone calls and texts. Dog snuggles. Receiving a thank-you email. An unexpected collection of goodies (since labeled my Advent Sanity Snacks in the office fridge!)
The more I started to think of the moments of happiness, the more I realised there had been many such moments.
And the more I started reflecting on why these things made me happy, the more I recognised the presence of joy – in the gifts of the people and circumstances in my life, where God is revealing grace and love and goodness.
It’s not to say that there are not times of stress, and challenges to overcome, especially with the to-do-list(s) for the coming couple of weeks. But it is a reminder of the glimmers and smiles that carry more importance than the gloominess of grey days and December blahs.
So let us rejoice in the Lord: and seek happiness with each other. For both enrich our lives beyond our imaginations.
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