I'm in My Happy Place

Just look at those smiles! Those are my grandchildren who all live here in Austin, their new "happy place", after having been strung out from Georgia to Seattle. What an amazing turn of events. I can’t begin to express the joy of their dad and mom, Ryan and Shawntel, having their boys (and our Ruthie, Braden’s wife) close to them. When I arrived on Friday, everyone was here at the Wuerch’s for dinner – laughing, sharing, contributing advice, offering genuine understanding to each other and such sincerely respecting each other. It is a "happy place".

After going to church together (sweetest “happy place”) yesterday morning, we went out for lunch and then back home for “my” famous chocolate cake. It was once called “Granny’s cake”, but now it’s been renamed “Nana’s cake”. I finally mastered the recipe. Lord, have mercy – it took me long enough. I could never get the icing to the hard fudge icing. But practice makes perfect – I did it!

My son is in his “happy place”. I witnessed it when I heard his big boys seeking his wise counsel. I witnessed it when the boys acted on that counsel. I love the relationship of Shawntel and Ruthie – finally, another girl to add to the mix of all that testosterone!! Such a happy place!

I share these personal highlights today to emphasize “happy place”. Do these family members agree on everything? NOT! Do they have the same likes and dislikes when it comes to food or movies or games or sports events? NOT! But they all agree they are in a “happy place” when it comes to celebrating each other and their achievements. They agree that they are here for each other – no matter what!

We all want to be happy and have places of happiness, but sometimes trying to find happiness can be a challenge. Often times we search for it in all the wrong places or ways, when the answer is much simpler. The places, the people, the sweet times can represent being in a happy place, but far more important is wherever we are and whoever we are with, shouldn’t determine our “happy place”. Psalm 144:15 says "Happy are the people whose God is the Lord." And, Psalm 119:1,2 says “Happy are those who live pure lives, who follow the LORD’s teachings. Happy are those who keep his rules, who try to obey Him with their whole heart.” Our “happy place” is wherever we are when our WHOEVER is God and we listen and heed His wise counsel.
Welcome to MY "happy place".