When I was very young, I dreaded opening the bathroom door by myself. I thought that it was possible, even perhaps likely that a lion would pounce upon me at the opening of the door. This notion stayed with me for a few years before I finally questioned myself and realized that the antique lion claw-foot tub must have conveyed the fear to my mind without my recognizing it. After that there were still threads of uncertainty, but mostly the fear evaporated.

In 1993 Pope St. John Paul II wrote in his spiritual diary, “ In the Old and New Testaments happiness has a dimension of wisdom.” When Solomon asked for wisdom, God was so pleased that He heaped upon Solomon all the other things of life that people think will bring them happiness, in addition to vast amounts of wisdom. (2 Chronicles 1:9-12)

St. Paul connects wisdom to happiness, and adds the single missing part for happiness: Let the message of Christ dwell among you as you teach. . . with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your heart. . . and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14&16)

I believe that it requires wisdom to discern the difference between all the things that appear to promise happiness, and the reality of the happiness found in Christ. St. Paul makes it clear which is of God: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:12)

Before I reached an age of understanding, or wisdom,even a bathtub could frighten me, but when I was old enough to understand my own feelings, those feelings no longer had a hold on me. I believe that it is true that happiness does have to do with wisdom, and that God has opened the door to that happiness in Jesus:When I was a child, I thought like a child. I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we will see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. (Corinthians 13:11-13)

There are countless lions to frighten us in our world, but God holds out to us the wisdom not to be afraid, and to find happiness in His love.

Love in Him,

Prue