Lasting Joy

-
J.M.J.
+

Hello friends! Long time no talk. I realize it's been a long time since you heard from me. Honestly, I haven't felt that inspired lately to write about anything in particular. Today was different though, so like it or not, here's more of my thoughts! ;)

I've been contemplating the feeling of happiness lately and what can bring about that feeling. There are a lot of things that can make us feel happy: 
  • Good jobs
  • Good relationships
  • Fun social outings
These are all good things. They will not satisfy you forever, though. Did you know that? Did you know that all those things society tells us to chase after really won't bring us lasting joy? I looked up happiness in the dictionary. It says that it is the state of being happy. How helpful, right? I then looked up what joy means. Merriam Webster says: "the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires : delight." Somehow I liked that one better, but it is still missing Someone important. That's right, I said "Someone," not "something." Jesus is the One Who can bring us lasting happiness and joy in this life! If we say yes to His call, He can bring us happiness as we answer that vocation! If we are following God's will, success will follow. I'm not necessarily talking about worldly success here (though that can certainly be a component). I'm talking about God seeing us doing what He asks and then we are blessed with what we need. Then we are truly happy and joyful. Even Scripture tells us to delight in the Lord and He will give us the desires of our hearts. What are you waiting for? Hopefully you went to Mass today and received Jesus. He will give you the strength and joy needed to live this coming week with courage as He blesses you with all you need.

God bless you!
Stephanie



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Movie Review: Joan of Arc

-
Image
The 1948 version of Joan of Arc with Ingrid Bergman is an excellent movie, and is also pretty family-friendly. I admire Ingrid Bergman's great acting abilities. She can cry on cue, and shows great emotion at every moment she is focused on. Joan is a fourteen year old girl who is hearing voices from Heaven. She is supposed to lead God's Army against Orleans and crown the Dauphin, Charles VII, as King of France. She does succeed in conquering Orleans. When her army prepares to march against Paris, King Charles sells his country to England. Unfortunately, Joan is then arrested, sold, and subjected to horrible trials that are political, though she is accused of being a heretic and a witch. She was only doing the will of God. There were a couple of faults in this movie. For example, Joan's hair should have grown if she was really on trial for five months. Also, some of the Latin words during the coronation ceremony were mispronounced. The film elements were appropriately si...
Read more

Ash Wednesday

-
Image
Try to understand another's point of view. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in ourselves that we do not even regard the other person's opinions. Effective practice of this technique is called dual perspective (thank you, Interpersonal Communication class!) This means that you fully respect both yours and the other individual's unique viewpoint. In doing so, you can both practice humility and develop your listening skills simultaneously! Saint of the Day Wednesday, February 13, 2013 St. Giles Mary of St. Joseph (1729-1812) In the same year that a power-hungry Napoleon Bonaparte led his army into Russia, Giles Mary of St. Joseph ended a life of humble service to his Franciscan community and to the citizens of Naples. Francesco was born in Taranto to very poor parents. His father’s death left the 18-year-old Francesco to care for the family. Having secured their future, he entered the Friars Minor at Galaton...
Read more

Stress: It's Where I'm At

-
Image
J.M.J. Wow...long time no talk. I've been busy. More accurately, I just haven't made time to write. I think that I'm too busy but the truth is, I didn't feel like writing. I've been so stressed out! I've been worrying about everything. I started taking online classes this semester and let me tell you, the experience hasn't been good. I'm surviving the academic load but I'm thinking that this career idea isn't the one for me. I thought I wanted to be a counseling psychologist but all the stress and anxiety that these courses are bringing me is telling me something else. All of this stress has been leading to a lack of sleep. I don't have to tell you that this makes life a lot harder than normal. Add to that work, my social life, and school, and I'm one weighed down individual. Woe is me, right? I've been praying, trying to ask God why I'm having all these issues. I'd never choose to go through this, but I...
Read more