"My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my savior." - Luke 1: 46
I remember during my teaching time at C.W. Saunders Baptist High School, at one morning assembly I spoke on happiness. Since all the students from primary to high school attended I took hold of a little four-year-old little girl's hand and asked, "What makes you happy?" She looked up at me, her little innocent eyes beaming with joy and with a smile on her face said, "Nothing."
"Ah, but you are so right," I replied.
Most times it is material things we need to make us happy. If the cupboard door can be closed and the grocery is not falling out of the door, then we are sad. If there is space for another dress, hat, shoe or bag, we become miserable and grumpy. We must have plenty of everything and then and only then are we happy.
To be happy with very little, sometimes nothing is not required, but acquired. It is a learnt behavior that only comes with due faith in God. People will ask how can they be happy and they don't have anything. Do you have faith? If you can be happy when there is no food in the cupboard and not a dime anywhere in sight, it means that happiness is on the way, because with your strong faith in God, blessings and miracles are on the way. I know, because it has happened to me many times, and the testimonies are rich and real with what God can do for those who can be happy, in spite of.
To be able to see and hear, and walk and talk, and have a sound mind, even though the cupboard is bare, should make us happy, but some of us have changed our countenance because of unhappiness.
Luke tells us that quality of life is not measured in the abundance of our earthly possessions. Have you been enjoying the fruits of the spirit lately -- love, joy, peace gentleness, kindness, self-control and faithfulness. Everywhere you go, people are talking about making smoothies using fruits, vegetables and whatever fits into the blender, but while they do this to get everything in shape, the fruits of the spirit lie unused and the spiritual blender is silent. How about making some spiritual smoothies. It is not only good for body -- but mind, spirit, gracefulness, poise and godly vibes and speech.
The story of Mary and the birth of the Christ child is the most holy story in Scripture. In a setting of majestic poetry and imagery, and in the presence of angels, the most divine idea ever conceived has its inception with the angel's first words, "Hail, thou art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."
Mary, really had nothing, but yet she was a happy soul. She had no idea that she would be the chosen one to bring forth the Christ child into the world. One cannot imagine the power of happiness no matter how bleak the situation may be. Just to be a woman is happiness -- happiness for the blessings of motherhood and the advancement and attainment of the child from your womb; and happiness for the gift of resourcefulness, leadership, economic resolve, primary educator, spiritual enabler, social technician, comforter, confidant, friend to the friendless.
I truly believe that we as women have not truly come to the realization of how blessed we are to be man's missing link. It is not good for man to be alone. We must begin to make God happy and brand ourselves for who we are. Being unhappy diminishes the power that God gave to us and us alone.
I pray to God that we would have more women with the heart and grace of Mary. This would lessen the hate in families, the breaking up of families and homes, the erstwhile relations between siblings and other members of the family. You see, when the family is weak, the whole nation is affected. We need more Mary's that would build the family and not break it down.
We need Mary's who would be graceful in their dress code and who rather than write on their flesh, would write the Word of God on their hearts. Happiness is a secret tonic -- good for body, mind and soul. It is not found in any of the aisles of the supermarket, but can be ordered from God's storehouse.
But I am unhappy and insulted when I see the female tourists who are allowed to walk our streets in the barest of clothes and without even a wrap, because we allow them to walk through our main streets almost half naked. Strangely, the men are always properly clothed. I always wonder if we can do the same in their country. I am woman and I am grateful to God for so making me. Thank you God.
o E-mail rubyanndarling@yahoo.com, Facebook Ruby Ann Darling or write to P.O. Box SS 19725 Nassau, Bahamas with your prayer requests, concerns and comments. God's blessings!
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