Ecclesiastes 11:9 (NIV)
You who are young, be happy while you are young,
and let your
heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
and whatever
your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
God will bring
you into judgment.
A woman named Frances once knew a young person at church
named Debbie. Debbie always seemed effervescent and happy, although Frances
knew she had faced struggles in her life. Her long-awaited marriage had quickly
ended in divorce. She had struggled to get a grip on her single life. She
hadn't chosen it, but she decided she would live it with utmost enjoyment and
satisfaction.
Debbie was active in Sunday school, in the choir, as a
leader of the junior high girls' group, and in the church renewal movement.
Frances enjoyed knowing Debbie. Debbie's whole face seemed to smile and she
always greeted Frances with a hug.
One day she asked Debbie, "How is it that you are
always so happy - you have so much energy, and you never seem to get
down?"
With her eyes smiling, Debbie said, "I know the
secret!"
"What secret is that? What are you talking
about?" Frances asked.
Debbie replied, "I'll tell you all about it, but you
have to promise to share the 'secret' with others."
Frances agreed, "Okay, now what is it?"
"The secret is this: I have learned there is little
I can do in my life that will make me truly happy. I must depend on God to make
me happy and meet my needs. When a need arises in my life, I have to trust God
to supply according to HIS riches. I have learned most of the time I don't need
half of what I think I do. HE has never let me down. Since I learned that
secret I am happy."
Frances' first thought was, That's too simple! But upon
reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would
make her happy -- but it didn't! She thought a better-paying job would make her
happy -- but it hadn't. When did she realize her greatest happiness? Sitting on
the floor with her grandchildren, eating pizza and watching a movie -- a simple
gift from God.
Debbie knew the secret, Frances learned the secret, and
now you know it too!
So pass it on!
I'm a witness that the secret is true! And now I pass the
secret on to you! So once you get it, what will you do with it? YOU have to
tell someone the secret, too.
Dear Lord, give us a chance to share the secret of You
today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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