Happiness...

This week was our 6th anniversary & my 31st birthday!  Yesterday, I found a picture frame with a saying on it that I hope describes mine & Matt's life.  It says, "Happiness is not a destination, it's a way of life."  Reading that quote got me to thinking: if Matt and I were waiting to make it to a certain "destination" in life for happiness, we most likely wouldn't have shared the happiness that we have over the last 6 years.  When we moved to Alabama 6 years ago, we fully intended to stay there for the 3 years of law school & then move back to Texas.  In our minds, Matt would graduate, get a good job in the Dallas area and that would be that.  Boy were we surprised when we realized that God had other plans in store.  I'm so glad that we were able to trust in God's plan for our lives & go with the flow.  We never would have thought we would live in Chicago, California, & for a 2nd time in Alabama!  And I'm sure we wouldn't have known how many wonderful friends & blessings we would find along the way.  If we had waited to find happiness in Dallas, we would have been waiting much longer than expected.  Thankfully, I feel like we have "lived in the moment," and found happiness all along the way.  Now, I'm not saying that every moment has been perfect, or that I was always "happy" every day.  According to Matt, I was pretty grumpy when we lived in California.  But I really did try to find the joy in every situation, and I think Matt has done the same.  Even California provided me with blessings by giving me some special time to spend with Regina, Chris, Caleb & Aidan, and giving us the chance to connect with a wonderful Christian family. I truly believe that what we imagine and plan for our lives will always fall short of what God will do in our lives if we step out of the way and let him.  So just remember, don't wait for a certain future "destination" to find joy & happiness in your life.  Live in the moment & try to find joy in the everyday blessings that God grants, no matter where you are in life.

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." -Eph 3:20-21