A Recipe For Happiness

A RECIPE FOR HAPPINESS

by HELEN STEINER RICE



HAPPINESS IS SOMETHING
WE CREATE IN OUR MIND,
IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU SEARCH
FOR AND SELDOM FIND,
IT'S JUST WAKING UP AND BEGINNING
THE DAY BY COUNTING OUR BLESSINGS
AND KNEELING TO PRAY.
IT'S GIVING UP THOUGHTS
THAT BREED DISCONTENT
AND ACCEPTING WHAT COMES
AS A GIFT HEAVEN-SENT.
IT'S GIVING UP WISHING
FOR THINGS WE HAVE NOT
AND MAKING THE BEST OF
WHATEVER WE'VE GOT.
FOR IT'S BY COMPLETING
WHAT GOD GIVES US TO DO
THAT WE FIND REAL CONTENTMENT
AND HAPPINESS, TOO.



I MEET GOD IN THE MORNING AND GO WITH HIM THROUGH THE DAY, THEN IN THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT, BEFORE SLEEP COMES, I PRAY.
H.S.R.





BUT I TRUSTED IN YOUR STEADFAST LOVE;
MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION.
I WILL SING TO THE LORD,
BECAUSE HE HAS DEALT BOUNTIFULLY WITH ME.



PSALM 13:5-6
NRSV



BECAUSE HE HATH SET HIS LOVE UPON ME,
THEREFORE WILL I DELIVER HIM:
I WILL SET HIM ON HIGH,
BECAUSE HE HATH KNOWN MY NAME.



PSALM 91:14
KJV



THE LORD LOVES THOSE WHO HATE EVIL;
HE PROTECTS THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE,
AND RESCUES THEM FROM THE WICKED.



PSALM 97:10
TLB



EVERYONE WHO HONORS YOUR NAME CAN TRUST YOU,
BECAUSE YOU ARE FAITHFUL
TO ALL WHO DEPEND ON YOU.



PSALM 9:10
CEV



OH, HOW I LOVE YOUR LAW!
IT IS MY MEDITATION ALL THE DAY.



PSALM 119:97
NKJV



LOVE THE LORD, ALL YOU HIS SAINTS.
THE LORD PRESERVES THE FAITHFUL,
BUT ABUNDANTLY REPAYS THE ONE
WHO ACTS HAUGHTILY.



PSALM 31:23
NRSV