Today’s blog is about a song. A very simple and happy song. Watch the video and listen here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/72590308

This song is over 11 years old. I never put it on one of my albums because I thought it was not a worship song and because it seemed too simple and too controversial. It's simplicity makes it beautiful to me and expressing the song from my soul is an act of worship to God. The fact that I believe I can change the way I feel by changing the way I think or by changing my attitude may seem controversial to some. I just choose to see life from a different point of view. Now that I have Parkinson's, the choice to be happy has become even more apparent and invaluable to me. If I have a choice, I might as well choose to be happy!

This quote expresses my heart very well:

“It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me...You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.” Jane Marczewski-Claudio (Nightbirde)

Might As Well Be Happy - Words & Music - Dennis Jernigan - Received on June 30, 2011

This song came as one of those spur-of-the-moment happenings. Feeling happy has not always come easily for me. Because of lies I had believed about my identity and about my worth and about my purpose in life, I have battled depression off and on through my life...and I am so glad to say that I am honestly happy. Why? Because I have learned that life is not easy but life can be enjoyed regardless of my pain, sorrow, suffering, circumstances, or what others think of me.

My point of view changed. I now live my life trying to see every aspect of my life from God's point of view. From my vantage point I often only see the bad, but God (being a very good God) only wants my best and has the ability to take even the harshest turns of life and make something beautiful of them.

My hope is not in what I can do or in what people think of me. My hope is not in money or in success or fame. My hope comes from knowing my Creator wastes nothing of my life if I simply turn to Him with whatever I am facing. His point of view is much more hopeful than mine.

This song came as I simply thought about how much joy I have in my life. When joy is the foundation, happiness is the result. My joy is in knowing God. Whether you believe like I do or not, allow the joyful attitude of this song to brighten your day.

The ukulele seemed the most obvious and happy instrument for the song. The whistle is all me. I purposely wanted to sound like a little boy whistling in response to the joy set before him as he explores his way to his favorite fishing hole.

The drawings were all me. My vision was to give a sense of childlike wonder to the song, so, I imagined how my 8 year old self might have illustrated the lyrics. Watching the video after all these years makes me...well...happy!

Life is a journey we are meant to enjoy - regardless of our circumstances. The words of this song have taken on a while new meaning for me since I first received it. In January of 2019, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease…and it rocked my world and caused me to question so much of what I believe about God and His love for me? My conclusion? He is so good and so loving that He is able to use even Parkinson’s for my good and for His glory. I can honestly say having Parkinson’s has revealed a whole new level of joy to my life. My greatest joy of all? I am never alone. He is with me!

Though the fig tree should not blossom

And there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will exult in the LORD,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The Lord GOD is my strength,

And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,

And makes me walk on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 NASB

Photo courtesy of https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2016/03/09/09/30/woman-1245817_1280.jpg