I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell— that’s not my destination! — Psalm 16:9 (MSG)
Growing up, I dreamt about my “happily ever after” as much as anybody. I knew that one day my prince would come, and we’d ride off into the sunset on a white horse (and I’d be skinny and beautiful with glowing skin and perfect hair — come on, your dreams weren’t much different, were they?). I found my prince, and even though there was no sunset or white horse, things were pretty incredible. Happily ever after? Yes, please.
Then reality settled in, and I found myself face to face with bills and laundry and kids and a prince who sometimes wasn’t all that charming. I’m willing to bet reality slapped you in the face, too. Maybe you’re still dreaming about finding your prince. Maybe you already have and you’re wondering “Is this really all there is?”
“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.” Matthew 6:34 (MSG)
We all want a story with a happy ending, but somewhere along the way, we stop caring about what the story actually says — we just want the happy ending. What I’ve realized, though, is that we won’t have happy endings if we don’t live happy lives. We spend too much time focusing on the “after” rather than living — and enjoying — life (bottomless laundry baskets, busy husbands, and all).
The dictionary defines “ever” as continually, always. Think about it: how awesome would it be to live happily always? That’s not to say bad things won’t happen — rest assured, they will. It doesn’t even mean that we’ll always be happy, because we won’t. It’s simply time for us to start living, enjoying, appreciating our lives — just as they are at this very moment.
One of my favorite movies is Ever After with Drew Barrymore. It’s a typical Cinderella story, but at the very end, the narrator says: “While Cinderella and her prince did live happily ever after, the point is that they lived.”
I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. — John 10:10 (MSG)
by Kendra Wisdom (view blog HERE)
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What a great reminder. I have always loved that line at the end of the movie. THE POINT IS THAT THEY LIVED. Thanks for your thought on happily ever after! ~Jessica
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I love how God connects ideas and today’s theme that is showing up is that Eternal Life is not just for the after but for the here and now. Thank you for the well-written poignant reminder, Kendra!
LOVE that movie! and i think i may have a new favorite verse {psalm 16:9} … thank you for sharing your heart today! a much needed and timely message for me!
I just looked up Psalm 16:9 in the NLT and it reads beautifully too: “No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.
I Love this version! “My body rests in safety” What sweet words!
Thank you so much for your inspiration, you lift my spirit with all your positive thoughts. 😉
Your inspiration was just what I needed to hear today! I need to remember to live a Happy life – All the time. Reminding myself that I am Saved by the Blood & Grace of God.
Thanks for a inspirational post!
That is one of my favorite movies too. Life goes by too fast to always be focused on tomorrow. Rather than spend your whole life waiting (waiting to graduate, waiting to get married, waiting to have kids, waiting for kids to grow up, etc) enjoy each stage when you are in it.
Love the MSG version of Psalm 16:9! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. My husband and I have been stressing over the idea of having another baby…{i want another, he does not}. But, you’re right…I just need to live…with him…and leave it all up to God! He has my perfect will at heart anyway and He already knows my plan! {Jeremiah 29:11}
Have a wonderful rest of your day!
Happiness has been at the forefront of my thoughts lately, and your post really hit home. Thank you for sharing such thought-provoking words, Kendra.
My blog’s title is Happily Ever Now. I love this post, and what its say about living happily always.
The word God keeps putting on my heart this year is JOY. And as I’ve looked up verses about it, so many of them say things like, “in His presence is fullness of joy.” God says His name is “I am” so where is His presence? Right here. Not the past. Not the future. In this moment–so that’s the only place we can find joy and happiness too, as you so beautifully said!
Ever After is one of my favorite movies, and now every time I hear that line, I hope I remember this post!
“Somewhere along the way, we stop caring about what the story actually says — we just want the happy ending”.
Kendra,
How true! So well put.
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