Drawing Near Learning to Abide

Happiness is Puppies Driving to church each week, we would pass a place called “Happiness is Puppies”. Seeing this sign, my youngest daughter decided that a puppy would bring happiness to all. She made it her mission to convince me that we needed a puppy. She would fill my email box up with pictures of puppies that were available and actually call to make an appointment to go and see each one. Needless to say, she wore me down and I agreed to be open to the idea of a puppy. As I was visiting my mother in Indiana, we decided to drive to Nappanee, Indiana to look at one of the many puppies my daughter had sent me. My heart was won over and I came home with a puppy. My husband and two daughters were really happy with the puppy and named her Winnie the Malte-Pooh. However, if you know anything about puppies, they can be a challenge and truly try your patience. We all soon discover that in truth, puppies don’t really bring continuous happiness as the sign promised. The world often sends messages to us that promise happiness, but ultimately will leave us disappointed and cause us to continue searching for other things to make us happy. Although we didn’t get a puppy to make us all happy, the Lord used this experience to show us how to find joy even when it seems that you are surrounded by chaos. The Lord taught me that true happiness and joy only can be found when we are in an active relationship with God. There’s a verse that has helped me to keep my focus on the One who can truly fill us with joy. Psalm 5:11 (NKJV) But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. Isn’t this great!! When we put our trust in God, we can have joy in the midst of chaos because He is Trustworthy, He is our defender and deliverer. He is our Joy. As you move forward this week remember to keep your eyes focused on the One who can calm every storm you may face. Know that because He loves you, as you look to Him, He will fill you to the brim with Joy!! Dear heavenly Father, We praise You because You are trustworthy, we can give You our stresses, our hurts, our disappointments and worries knowing full well that You will take care of all these things according to Your plan. Help us to find joy in our relationship with You. You, Lord, are the giver of life and all good things. Thank You Father, that You promise to always give us what we need and not necessarily what we want for You always know what is best. We give You all honor, Glory and Praise. Amen.