National Day of Happiness

Today is National Day of Happiness. I want to celebrate it well. Even I, a recovering and thriving adulterer can, right? Not because I am happy about my sins and past. I am happy about my God and His forgiveness, grace, mercy, and character. This was affirmed this morning when I read Luke 7:36-50. It's comforting to read, since I have been forgiven much. Here's the text: 

Luke 7:36-50, The Message (MSG)

Anointing His Feet

^36-39 One of the Pharisees asked him over for a meal. He went to the Pharisee’s house and sat down at the dinner table. Just then a woman of the village, the town harlot, having learned that Jesus was a guest in the home of the Pharisee, came with a bottle of very expensive perfume and stood at his feet, weeping, raining tears on his feet. Letting down her hair, she dried his feet, kissed them, and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man was the prophet I thought he was, he would have known what kind of woman this is who is falling all over him.”

⁴⁰ Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Oh? Tell me.”
^41-42 “Two men were in debt to a banker. One owed five hundred silver pieces, the other fifty. Neither of them could pay up, and so the banker canceled both debts. Which of the two would be more grateful?”
^43-47 Simon answered, “I suppose the one who was forgiven the most.”
“That’s right,” said Jesus. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, he said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them with her hair. You gave me no greeting, but from the time I arrived she hasn’t quit kissing my feet. You provided nothing for freshening up, but she has soothed my feet with perfume. Impressive, isn’t it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal.”
⁴⁸ Then he spoke to her: “I forgive your sins.”
⁴⁹ That set the dinner guests talking behind his back: “Who does he think he is, forgiving sins!”
⁵⁰ He ignored them and said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Jesus didn't approve of her sins; he approved of her, her faith, and her humility. Her level of gratitude was equal to her level of forgiveness. How amazing. I want to embrace this truth and live by such an example. I personally have been forgiven much, therefore, I want to express much gratitude and forgiveness of others.

Three powerful words Jesus concludes with, "Go in peace." Peace is HUGE to us all, but especially to us who have blown it big time. It took me a long time to experience His peace more fully. Jesus' acceptance and grace and forgiveness is a precursor to our peace. Others may judge us and/or be hurt by us, consequences may be big, but we can "go in peace" when we have been restored by Jesus, the "shame destroyer." That gets me excited and fires me up!

I want to be a difference maker, not a home wrecker. Today I can celebrate happiness. So can you! Check out this short video about happiness.It's good stuff. Be happy today.
http://rogers.nowsender.com/e/vd?smu8xp