You deserve to be happy!

Always said with the best of intentions, "You deserve to be happy!" is one of the most worldly phrases I have ever heard. Christ Himself was not happy all the time. He endured much for us while He lived on this earth and it was not always pleasant. There are people, right this second, living in poverty who are starving. There are people dying of disease and illness. There are "successful" people who can no longer find happiness in their chosen life. There are people fighting demons in their minds. Is being happy really everything there is to living on earth? Or is there more?

We deserve to be happy? Since when? We have a right to the "pursuit of happiness" but no where in any law of any land is "happiness" guaranteed. Happiness is a choice we make. We can be happy even though our circumstances are bad. We can be happy even though our body is falling apart. We can be happy through the daily grind of life. We can be happy in sorrow- or even "joyful". Although joy and happiness are not the same. You can be joyful through torture. Joyful through depression. Joyful till death. I won't be "happy" as I'm taking my last breaths, but I pray I will be joyful! 

Happiness is a choice, but Joy comes from God. Joy is knowing that while this life can be hard - actually this life can be downright cruel and evil- we know this is not our forever home. Joy is the knowledge that God is still walking with us and in some cases, carrying us through a difficult time. Joy is living for God. Those who are living in poverty are often described as some of the most joyful people around. They live in horrible conditions but they are living for a different purpose. Pray for joy. But chose to be happy.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pray for us now and at the hour of our death.