“Without Faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to God. For to come near to God I must believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
One of my cherished possessions is a little volume signed by the author, Margaret Moore-Jacobs. The name of this treasure is The Secret of a Happy Life. In it Margaret Moore-Jacobs writes short stories reflecting a sweeter time. A time when God was at the forefront of most lives, and people were mindful in all that they did. Families sat down to supper around the same time every evening. and the children were tucked safely into their beds at an early hour.
The wisdom in this enchanting book encourages me to think about designing my own life and that of my family around the sweeter things in life. Her book was published in 1952, but her view of life can be applied to our lives today. Whenever I read her stories I am always comforted. I am inspired by her writing to embrace the simple abundance that surrounds me now and to be thankful. On ever page of The Secret of a Happy Life, the warm memoir rekindles the desire to dwell on what is good in life. I found this little treasure many year ago in a wonderful old book store in Cranbury, New Jersey. I keep it by my reading chair, and whenever I lose perspective I pick it up and read one of her stories. The title is just what the book holds inside, a simple reminder of the secret to having a happy life.
Recently someone criticized my “Be Happy Attitude” life philosophy. She said that this does not work in today’s world. I thought about her words and how I want to inspire people and not to turn them off by some sugar-coated messages. The world that Margaret Moore-Jacobs lived in went through a depression and WWII. In that chapter of our history people held God closer to their lives. They knew that the harder the times the more closely they needed to cleave to faith in God. They embraced their faith, romance and a sense that they cherished everything because of the vulnerability they felt.
Shortly after 911 people flocked to church. Charles Stanley in his sermon remarked about how it was the first time he had seen traffic jams on a Sunday. During these times in a world of so many hurting people and during such a vulnerable time, I believe the only thing that can keep us strong is to have even more faith. To embrace the good and to cherish those dear to us in romance, nostalgia, and love gives our life more purpose. My “be happy” attitude has worked for me for all my life and it has been the key to receiving even more blessings than my arms can hold. Now, when the world is so vulnerable I cannot imagine getting up every day and not relying on my faith in God. We need to lift up, encourage and inspire those around us so that we can give, help and support one another.
