DARE TO BE HAPPY

I had dared to dream that one day we would be in Ireland and stay in a castle. It seemed impossible. The cost alone would be insurmountable. Until we were told “ I have 80% blockage in my heart with no way to change it”. My diagnosis was that I would potentially only have till this February before I would have a massive heart attack. Although I had done everything I could to prevent it, the blockage confirmed that this was a real possibility. With the agreement of my cardiologist and our financial planner, Kev and I made the decision to retire early, and go to Ireland and Scotland…sooner than later. I dared to believe we would be in Ireland where there was 41 shades of green, stay in a castle, drink Guinness in a real Irish pub, picnic in a variety of parks filled with every color of tulips, and go on EVERY tour of the famous stops in Ireland. I dared to be happy when nothing told me I could. Have you ever been in that situation? Are you asking yourself right now “ how can I expect to ever be happy when…..” I get it. The Chief Shepard asked this very question to Much Afraid. Her name alone told him WHY this was impossible. How can he ask that question when there are potentially so many things that can go wrong and crush your hopes of happiness? Because he knew the ending of her story. The promise that God gives us is “ Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart”. Sometimes the situation may not change right away, or change at all, but rather your hearts desire. Much Afraid finally did accept that the promise of having new feet to climb the heights of heaven would come true. We did go to Ireland and Scotland and it was SOOO much better than we had hoped or dreamed…even though the diagnosis remained the same. On March 1st I woke up. I had past the two year mark of a massive heart attack. Kev and I quietly acknowledged this moment and gave thanks to the Lord. Some of you are awaiting a doctors report, a potential new job, hopes of a better relationship, and still others, just another new dawn..I dare you to be happy, even in the midst of the unknown, because God knows the ending of your story and it is good…oh, and by the way, Much Afraid DID get her new feet and climbed the heights of heavens mountains…and so will you..trust Jesus and He will show you what true happiness is…