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Happiness Meter
By Scott Harrup | December 5, 2008
On my commute to work and back home each day, I pass several gas stations. Prices were well over $3 a gallon just a few months ago, but they’ve hung consistently around $1.55 the past few weeks.
Cruising past yet another sign with a mere dollar-something-or-other emblazoned next to every grade of gas, even premium, I find myself smiling.
It makes me happy.
In fact, at the shopping center near our home, you can get 3 cents off a gallon by putting the purchase on the store’s gas card in advance as you go through the check-out. With that discount, prices dipped into the $1.40s for a day. But I had a fairly full tank so passed it up.
Here’s the whacky truth. The next time I filled the tank, prices were back in the $1.50s. You guessed it. My happiness dipped.
No, it didn’t dive. Just a little dip. But it was noticeable.
I’ve been thinking about other superficial things that nudge my happiness meter up or down. Isn’t it nuts how we smile or frown based on things that don’t really matter? Sure, gas could skyrocket next month. But if I had to take the bus to work, or even ride a bike, would that change anything significant in my life or the lives I’m blessed to connect with?
Austin was studying his memory verse for school last night: “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV).
The word “happy” is nowhere to be found. But there’s plenty of joy and thanks and the assurance of a divine hand leading my life.
If you and I can just hang onto that truth, we can keep smiling during our morning commutes no matter what the filling station marquees proclaim.
Topics: Family Life, Bible |
