THE SECRET

Topic: Joy

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! I'm a witness that the secret is true! And now I pass the secret on to you!

So once you get it, what are you gonna do?

YOU have to tell someone the secret, too!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear God, Make me think about what I am doing with my mind, with my body, with my habits, with my study, with my friends, with my hopes, with my parents, with my faith, with my life.

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Bruce Waitman <><