Lifestyles of the rich and happy

Forwards - ya gotta love 'em!!! I received one today that was of the "please pass this on" variety - something about "if you pass this on, you'll be rich" in so many days or hours - and if you don't, you'll be sorry. While I don't take stock in any of these such things, I replied back to the sender that I was already rich in the ways that count, to which she agreed. Then I thought, "Wait a minute - I think I may have something here!!!" I have memories of childhood and asking my father, "Daddy, are we rich???" and he said, "In the ways that count - yes!!" I guess I've never forgotten that gem of information. But it's true. I'm not wealthy (money-wise) by any stretch of the imagination - I live extremely simply, am frugal to a fault (not cheap, mind you!!!), and have no debt; I'm fortunate. (Huh - the word "fortune" is in there - hmmmm....) However, the way my life has been made richer has absolutely NOTHING to do with money, fortune, or fame. I am rich because of my family, my friends (who have become my family), and most importantly, GOD. (You knew I was gonna say that, now, didn't you??!!)

I had lunch today with a DEAR friend who I don't get to see often enough. She is a former co-worker, and we were at one time office mates. She is the greatest person (she reminds me of my dear mony mony, and her name just happens to be Monica...). Although she is 10 years younger than me, she is wise beyond her years. I often go to her for a shoulder to cry on or for a free counselor (I owe her BIG time) because she gives really good advice. We had a nice lunch, as usual, with great conversation and chick-bonding time, and before we knew it, it was time to get back to work. We said our goodbyes and both made our treks back to the grind. I got back to work and found an email from her - one of those that just made me tear up (I do that a lot lately). She'd been having, as she put it, a crappy day and a crappy week, and our lunch just cheered her up. Funny, I'd been thinking exactly the same thing. A simple inexpensive lunch at the local barbecue place for 60 minutes with a good friend did that. Wow. While it doesn't take much to really make me happy (seriously), the thought entered my mind (for the umpteenth time) that God has truly blessed me.

Monica also mentioned that I was the happiest she'd seen me in awhile. She's right about that. I told her that this lovely Christian website I was now involved with was one of the best things that's ever happened to me. The people are encouraging, uplifting, and just all-around good people. One of the things I constantly struggle with is feeling sorry for myself because I'm still single. I often wondered, "What the heck is so wrong with me?" - you know, stupid stuff like that. But through this website I've encountered AWESOME and AMAZING people. And ya know what - they're single too!!!! GASP!!!! We're all in the same boat together. As I was telling my lovely friend Tania the other night, most singles don't like to hear, "Just wait - when you're not looking, someone will come along", especially from married people. I may be being bitter here, but I'm just being honest. I also felt loneliness a lot, even with people IN the room. I know you all know what I'm talking about!!! But the consolation in that is that we are NEVER alone - our Lord and Saviour is ALWAYS with us. I'm reminded of that fact a lot lately, especially when I listen to a song by Avalon called "Orphans of God". I've included the lyrics below, and I encourage you to find the song and listen to it sometime. It's just mind-blowingly profound. I'm a simple creature, what can I say? The song says there are no strangers, no outcasts, no orphans of God. Isn't that just so neat??

The world pulls this trick on us, especially through advertising (God love them) that we need this or that to be happy, that we need to be a size 0 and look like so and so, and that if we procure these things, others will pay attention to us or notice us or whatever. Well, I'd rather do it God's way. He made me who I am, and I'm not into being someone else, thank you very much. Also, it's my choice and my decision to feel sorry for myself, or to be happy because of the many blessings He's bestowed upon my life. So I leave you with this: be who He made you, be happy with it, be GRATEFUL for it EVERY day, and you'll never want for anything because He's gonna provide everything we need. That's what it means to be rich.


ORPHANS OF GOD (From Avalon's 2006 release Stand)

Who here among us has not been broken
Who here among us is without guilt or pain
So oft’ abandoned by our transgressions
If such a thing as grace exists Then grace was made for lives like this

There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

Come ye unwanted and find affection
Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head
Come ye unworthy, you are my brother
If such a thing as grace exists Then grace was made for lives like this

There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God

O blessed Father, look down upon us
We are Your children, we need Your love
We run before Your throne of mercy
And seek Your face to rise above

There are no strangers
There are no outcasts
There are no orphans of God
So many fallen, but hallelujah
There are no orphans of God