Happiness happens when we give it away

The musical artist, AJR, has a song called The Good Part. My 21 year old son shared it with me and the lyrics really tugged at my heart.

Was looking forward to being important but I’m not important yet.
If you put this scene on a movie screen is it called a happy end.
Can we skip to the good part ?
If there’s a good part then I hope it’s not far because I thought it’d  be today.
These things take time. Mom and dad have a good life, but what the heck am I gonna do with mine .

This song got me thinking how often we chase happiness. If I get my degree … if I get a good job… if I buy a big house …. if I get married …. if I have two kids and a picket fence …. the list continues. So often, especially when we are young and finding our way, we think these accomplishments are the answer to happiness.

I am nearing 50 and the beauty of being middle aged is it all starts to make sense. It isn’t until we have lived life and learned to love that we learn the real way to happiness is to give it away.

My Devotions

Today’s reading, chapter 10 Be Loved, Then Love, is about how the purest source of happiness is the love of God.

Now I am fortunate to have a career, an amazing husband, and two fantastic kids. But I know I wouldn’t have these things without God. These things do make me happy, but what I have learned makes happiness is people, and recognizing God is in everything around me

The good part that we often want to skip to, is already ours, we just need to recognize it. Every stage of life has good parts, but sometimes you don’t know what the good parts were, until you’re in the next stage.

The good parts are where we grow

What you don’t know when you’re young, is the good parts are the parts where you grow. The struggles. Those are the good parts because they make you become something. The good parts are where you get to practice the skills we need to be more like Christ. Struggles with money. Conflicts with people. Building relationships. Not feeling appreciated. Not knowing where you’re gonna end up. Not knowing if you make a difference. THESE ARE THE GOOD PARTS! I know it doesn’t make sense, but if you give it all to God, these are all the good parts.

My advice to the youth of today.

You are already important. Romans 9:25 says we are already important because God loves us. You are important, not because of your accomplishments, but because God created you and loves you. The good part is recognizing God behind everything. What is He molding you to become? How are your circumstances you are in, making you more like Christ? He was and is, about His people. If you want happiness, reach out within your struggles. God wants to use these things to make you grow. These are the good parts.

Struggling with money? Give what money you can to someone that needs it more.
Struggling with a difficult person? Give them forgiveness and kindness.
Struggling with not knowing if you are making a difference? Do something for someone and make a difference in that life.
Feeling under appreciated? Show someone you appreciate them.

You are already important and loved, just because of who you are, not because of something you do. Find God where you are. Those are the good parts.

Quotes from the reading

“Happiness has a way of cascading forth when humility is unselfish enough to help others have their moment.” page 165

“Desire a rain shower of joy? Weary of the drudgery of the day to day? Then do this: serve someone, greet someone, give up your seat, listen to someone’s story, write a check, pen a letter, give your time, your council, and your heart. Make someone happy.”

“Be the ice cream truck. Be the person that people are glad to see. Be the voice that people want to hear. Drive the happiness truck…. And see if you aren’t the one smiling most.”