A lady recently wrote about me on her blog and said that I was probably lying about my health
because it couldn't be as good as it sounds. She wondered what reason I had to hope. I wrote
back to her and then I got a phone call from her. We had a very nice conversation and I basically
explained my feelings to her. She has cancer as well and other problems. I have been thinking a
lot about happiness and hope and how that it is a choice. We all have our personal struggles and
I work at being happy just like the rest of the world.
Today, I was singing a hymn about sunshine and it made me realize how important it is to have
it in our hearts. Here are the lyrics.
You can make the pathway bright, Fill the soul with heaven's light, If there's sunshine in your heart;
Turning darkness into day, As the shadows fly away, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
If there's sunshine in your heart, You can send a shining ray That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
You can speak the gentle word To the heart with anger stirred, If there's sunshine in your heart;
Tho it seems a little thing, It will heaven's blessings bring, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
If there's sunshine in your heart, You can send a shining ray That will turn the night today;
And your cares will all depart, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
You can do a kindly deed To your neighbor in his need, If there's sunshine in your heart;
And his burden you will share As you lift his load of care, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
If there's sunshine in your heart, You can send a shining ray That will turn the night today;
And your cares will all depart, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
You can live a happy life In this world of toil and strife, If there's sunshine in your heart;
And your soul will glow with love From the perfect Light above, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
If there's sunshine in your heart, You can send a shining ray That will turn the night today;
And your cares will all depart, If there's sunshine in your heart today.
So.....what is the sunshine that we put into our hearts and how do we get it? It is the Son of god.
I like the words of Peter in 1 Peter 3:8-12.
Basically, he explains how we should be acting if we truly want that sunshine!
(We would strive to be of one mind, have compassion, love others, be courteous, have no guile,
seek to have peace, not return evil for evil, etc.)
Then Peter said that the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous and his ears are open unto
their prayers. I really like those verses.
I am trying to make a conscious effort each day to have sunshine in my heart and it isn't always
easy. I mess up a lot...and then try again. I am trying to put God at the center of my
life. The scriptures are a great strength and comfort to me as is prayer and service. I love the
hymns and beautiful music. They also give me strength. I try to remember to serve others.
My motto is "Do my best with God's help." So, I am trying to go forward with a smile:) and trust
in the Lord. He is certainly someone that I can trust...and in the process....I find sunshine in my
heart and it brings me happiness!
