Passage through Space and Time

Fall officially started at 10:29 EDT last night, so I am told.  The little orbs in their pathways continue to make their circuits.  The days of our lives have been reduced in number by one, if we count from yesterday.  So much is predictable, and yet we know so little about what the future holds.

Several years ago on the occasion of the beginning of Fall I noted that Stella d'Oro was still providing blossoms, though many flowers have faded.  I wrote this little verse in her honor, and as a reminder to Self that perseverance to the end is a virtue.

Oh, Lily, little Golden Star

May I live my life as you are.

You blossom where you're planted

And yet you are quite unda'nted               

Through wet of flood

And you've now withstood

The long heat and dry of drought.

Your gaudier sisters have had their day.

They no longer bloom, their foliage hay.

And yet you soldier on.

May I keep at it 'til I'm gone.

May of me, as of you, it be stated

He started early and finished late and

Through it all, he kept the faith.

Consider the lilies of the field-- Jesus

Joy, Happiness, and Perseverance

BBBH and I have been doing springtime chores around the house and in the yard. We have been prepping for a camping excursion with our group of wonderful friends, most of whom have survived nearly as long as we have, or even longer in some cases. Yet as I was toting foodstuffs and other essentials to the RV, I observed to the Beloved that nothing is as easy as it used to be. Now I do not want nor do I intend to lie down and stop living. But I did think, I wonder what advice I have given myself about perseverance, and joy, and happiness? I found the following which I shared on String Too Short to Tie two years ago.

I once heard a preacher discussing the issue of biblical joy vs. happiness. I believe his contention was that we should seek the "joy of the Lord" for the Bible does not teach us to be "happy." Perhaps I misunderstood the thrust of the message, for, although it is true that "joy" is referenced much more frequently than is the concept of "happiness," the word "happy" does occur several times in the Bible,* much more often in the Old Testament than in the New Testament.

In the Old Testament, we find
Happy is
he who hears wisdom
he who God corrects
he who eats the labour of his own hands
he whose God is the Lord
he who lays hold upon wisdom and keeps her
he who has mercy on the poor
he who trusts in the Lord
he who keeps the law.

In the New Testament, we find
Happy is
he who does these things Jesus has taught
he who endures
he who suffers for righteousness sake
he who is reproached for the name of Christ.

I would not presume to develop a sermon from this, as I am not now nor have I ever been a preacher. It does seem to me that in the Old Testament we find specific prescriptions for behaviors that lead to happiness. In the New Testament it appears that we are taught that to follow Christ and keep His commandments will make us happy, even though we will suffer reproach for His name's sake; and we may be scorned for righteousness. How then, to be happy? Endure.

An enigma? Perhaps, but how about this for a puzzle?
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. -1John:3:16
And yet it is so.

Personal conviction: Happiness is a state mind; joy is in the heart.
"The joy of the LORD is my strength!"

And so it is that the rereading has steeled my determination to endure.  I have been often heard to say, "Any day in which I can stand upright and get dressed is a good day!"

Blessings.

*Reading from the King James Version.