[1] O sing to the LORD a new song;

           sing to the LORD, all the earth.

[2] Sing to the LORD, bless his name;

           tell of his salvation from day to day.

[3] Declare his glory among the nations,

           his marvelous works among all the

                   peoples.

[4] For great is the LORD, and greatly to be

                   praised;

           he is to be revered above all gods.

                    ~ Psalm 96: 1-4

I love days that are a bit gray and wet, but I love them most because I can revert back into my shell and ponder more somber thoughts. These days never give me energy in the sense of tackling big projects or being motivated, but they do give me engergy to reflect and ponder different parts of me or things I read or experience. I'm a deep thinker that can sometimes get lost in very intense thoughts or ideas about things I read, experiences I come into, and issues that come up in life. I ponder and am quiet -- many people ask me if I'm ok, or if they know me well, they realize I'm just in one of my "moods."

This verse does not feel like a rainy, gray day. This verse feels like the opposite, but today was the day I curled up in  fleece blanket and opened up to the psalms (I love the psalms) and what do you know -- I was lead to Psalm 96. I wasn't really feeling it, But I liked it. Andy told me that in class they were talking about Lewis's belief that God is the only source of whole, forever lasting happiness. I truly believe that. To be happy doesn't mean to be all out insanely vibrent and audatious. I truly believe happiness is being content and settled within that contentment.

The dictionary definition defines "happiness as" good fortune; pleasure; contentment; joy. I feel that too many people emphasize the 'good fortune & pleasure' a little too much in a materialistic way. Perhaps Lewis is talking about true, lasting happiness coming from God because it's the peace and joy - its the contentment that you may not have everything you want, need, etc., but you can still be happy and find that happiness in the most beaufiful places.

I find it in the mornings when I curl up with my fleece blanket on my futon and read my Bible, I find it in the gray, somber days and the vibrant, green days. Happiness shouldn't be conditional, but constant.

Where do you find your happiness?