We have a picture of our oldest daughter that was taken when she was about two. My wife had gone to check on her, probably because it was too quiet. You parents will understand. At first you are so delighted that the noise has stopped that you just enjoy the peace. But after a while you realize it is quiet... it is too quiet. Whatever the reason, Carolyn went to check on her and came upon a scene that we have both never forgotten. There was Cherise, with every one of her possessions removed from her toy box, just scattered all over the room, and Cherise sitting in the toy box looking over at her mama as if to say, "What?"

To this day no one knows what was going on in her two year-old mind. Was she looking for a favorite toy? Was she looking for any toy at all to play with only to find that there was not even one that interested her? Was she planning on closing the toy box lid behind her for a bit of privacy? We don't know, but the scene was so delightfully typical of the random mind of a toddler that Carolyn (an artist extraordinaire) drew the picture that it might be enjoyed for generations to come.

There is something in that picture that reminds me of me. There are times when I am surrounded by anything my heart could desire, but I am not satisfied. We all get that way from time to time and, when we do, we need a reset. King Solomon wrote of this very state of mind in Ecclesiastes. He was the richest and most powerful man in the world, but he was not happy. So he set out to find out what would make him happy. He drank a lot of wine, but that did not do it. He married a lot of beautiful women, but that wasn't the key. He sought out entertainment and undertook great projects. In fact, he did everything he could to find happiness only to conclude that it was all meaningless.

That was when he discovered one life's most important truths. What was this truth, you may be wondering? We don't have to wonder, for God inspired him to record it. Here is the secret to happiness in his own words:

Every man also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and find enjoyment in his toil--this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:19-20, RSV

The secret to happiness has never been a secret. When we put God first, we are then free to enjoy His many blessings. When we do, God keeps us occupied with the gladness of our hearts! Are you occupied with the gladness of your heart? Or are you like a two year old with a box full of toys, but still can't find a single one to suit you?

You see, we all have incredible blessings from God. The very fact that he created a world filled with such variety and beauty should prove to us that He has designed us to be happy, not unhappy. But if we should ever come to the point that we examine everything around us and become discontented, perhaps we should pause for a moment and consider why. I think we will all find out when we are so unsatisfied it is because we have failed to put God first. Further, we have failed to be thankful for all that He has given us. 

We all have the opportunity to enjoy eternal life in Heaven with God and Christ, if we will just accept Their terms. If we will, then we are going to Heaven. If that is not enough, they give us all sorts of things to keep us occupied with the gladness of our hearts until then. Isn't God good!