5 Secrets of A Happy Life
Up To Know Good on Wednesday
October 25, 2006
Yesterday, we looked at the story of the lost son. After the father decides to have a celebration for him, the story continues. The party is going on when the oldest son comes back from working in the field. When he hears what is happening, he gets angry and refuses to go inside. The father goes out and begs him to join them. Bitterly, the oldest son says to his dad, “What about me? I’ve slaved away for you for years and you have never given me anything. Now you decide to have the party of the century because my little brother, who foolishly lost all of his money, is back?” The father replies, “Son, you have always been with me, and everything I have is already yours. We had to celebrate - your brother who was gone is back!”
Do Good - Pray and think about how your pride might be getting in the way of your happiness today.
The story ends there without saying what the oldest son decides to do. Did he stay bitter and outside the party or was he was able to hear what his father said - “Everything I have is already yours”? The older brother proudly believed that if he worked hard enough, his father would reward him and he’d be happy. No wonder he couldn’t accept the unconditional love his father gave his deadbeat brother. We can easily miss happiness in our lives by thinking we must earn it. Instead, we need to realize that happiness is here right now because everything God has is already ours. Let’s not miss the party by placing our faith in our own pride or accomplishments. Let’s open ourselves to accept the true happiness and love of the Father.
"His father said, 'Son, you don't understand. You're with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours=97but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he's alive! He was lost, and he's found!'" Luke 15:31-32. Click here to read the entire story.
Jesus, I know that I am often like the older brother you mentioned in this story. Please forgive my pride so I can join the party.
Know Good. Do Good. Feel Good.
I pray that you have a great day as you experience and express God's love in fresh, real ways!
Blessings,
Sara
©2006 Sara Schaffer & Schaffer Photography. Text and graphics to be used only with permission.
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