I Think Myself Happy

"I think myself happy..." Acts 26:2 KJV

Backstory:

I have great admiration for Paul the apostle. He went through so much in his life. First he went against Christ with determination and tried to destroy all his followers, afterwards Paul found Christ on the road to Damascus and his life was changed forever! He became a new creature... so much that he EVEN changed his name from Saul to Paul. He was a completely different person. (Acts 9:1, 2 Cor. 5:17) After he was saved, he served the Lord everywhere he could and endured many things for the cause of sharing the gospel. (2 Cor. 11:23-29) He was the man who said: "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Paul made this statement "I think myself happy" to King Agrippa toward the end of his life. He was happy that he could share with those in authority the gospel and his life's testimony.

I'm going to break up the statement and really try to understand the whole picture behind it.

I THINK:

"I think myself happy..." isn't a statement I thought I'd see in God's word, so it took me by surprise. 

What are your thoughts focused on? Is it good things? "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil. 4:8

Often times, we worry about things.. like money and food. But God tells us not to worry. He will provide for us. (Matt. 6:31-34)

You can only think of a few things at a time, keep your thoughts on the best things! Let God worry about the rest! Remember that your thoughts when spoken share what's inside your heart. They share your testimony.

MYSELF:

It was a choice Paul made. He chose to be happy and to be content. He realized that it was up to him. We, too, have a choice. We can pick to be unhappy with ourselves, others, our circumstances, and our lives. We can chose to be discontent with our material possessions and with abundant treasures.. like our family and friends.

Or we can chose to be happy and content. It's our choice. It's our decision.

HAPPY:

Life is short. People are precious. We tend to be more concerned about a clean house, a great income, personal pleasures, and material gain, than we do about spending time with other people. 

Did you spend a few minutes today hugging your child? 
Did you spend a few minutes talking and cuddling with your spouse? 
Did you listening to your child as they babbled away? 
Did you answer your mom's call and spend a few minutes chatting with her? 
Did you listen as your sister or brother in Christ shared a struggle with you? 
Did you pray for them? 
Did you share a smile with the barista attendant or the grocery worker? 
Did you brighten someone's day?

Being happy encourages the heart of those around us. It brightens the home and creates "sunlight in a dark place". It draws others close to us. Even if the house is a disaster or you are going through challenges or trials... if you, your husband, and the kids are happy and content, remember life is good. Be merry. (Prov. 17:22, Ecc. 8:15)

Hiatus

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24 KJV

I'm Back:

Hiatus means "a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, action"

I can't believe it has been two weeks since I last wrote on here, but I'm thrilled I "took the time off". It was necessary and important for my marriage. In just a few weeks, my husband and I will be celebrating our FIFTH wedding anniversary! We are going to try and get away for a day/night. So why I did I take hiatus from this blog and other things for our marriage?

Marriage Second:

Priorities are important. I have been doing good at keeping my relationship with GOD as the #1 priority, but recently I began relearning how to place my husband as a second priority... over the girls, over housework, over friends, and over my own things (like this blog). We had one year together before we starting having our girls... and then each year, we were blessed to have another. So this past year, we settled into life with three girls and no pregnancies... It was kinda weird. We had to learn to communicate again and put each other first. (Eph. 5:21) 

I remembered a message I heard about the letter to the first church in Revelation. The passage talks about leaving the first love and to restore, you have to go back and do your first works again. It's the same thing in marriage. You have to remember the things you did (when you were dating or just married)... and do them again! Ignite that spark! (Rev. 2:4-5)

How-to for Married Moms:

Figure out his love language! (link here!)
     ~ Yes, this is important. Listen to his complaints. Listen to what he compliments. Watch what he does for you. (These are great clues to what his love language might be...)

Focus on him (during lunch break)
     ~ Forget the housework, because it will get done eventually. Let the kids play in their room or eat easy foods like PB and Jelly. Spend the first few minutes of his break focused on him!

Find ways to express care/love for him (study him!)
     ~ Communicate with love and kindness. Get to know him more. Look at what he does and says. Do nice things just for him. Spoil him his way! :D

Finally, pray alot!
     ~ Keep Christ as your center. Pray for your marriage to be strengthen and for your husband to continue to grow. (James 5:16b)

Great Rewards:

Whenever you do things right, there are some great rewards from God. I love the connection we have. I'm thankful for the love between us that has grown more personal and more tender! I love being so close to my husband again! (Psalm 37:4)

Yes, I'm come back again to doing my blog with this one difference in my personal life. YAY!! (Isn't God Good?)