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“You Happy?” Sherry Lohman - Sept. 20, 2009 Proverbs 31:10-31 Psalm 1 James 3:13-4:3, 7-8 Mark 9:30-37 Before we were married, Dave and I both worked at the Montana State School for the Deaf and Blind. Dave worked as the school’s psychologist, and I worked as an aide and interpreter in the public schools. The school housed children from ages three to 18, from all across the state. The children were either deaf, or blind. There were none who were both deaf and blind. But there were a few who were hearing impaired, in conjunction with another disability. Steven Hoppey was one of those kids. Steven was 12, deaf and had MS (multiple sclerosis). But that’s a meager description of an amazing child. In spite of Steven’s difficulties, he woke each morning, happy and eager to begin a new day. This was remarkable, given his body jerked uncontrollably. He could walk, but he was slow, dragging one foot behind the other. His communication was through large signs and clumsy finger spelling. He did his best to speak as he signed, but unless you were accustomed to his voice, he was difficult to understand. And, he drooled when he spoke. Still, this tall, thin, blonde headed boy with dancing blue eyes and a huge smile, greeted us each morning. “You happy?” he signed. It was a question awaiting an eager response. His own grin affirmed that he was, indeed, happy. And he wanted that for everyone else, too. This was his norm; who he was, and his way of being—, even with his health issues.// For years after we left the school, Dave and I continued Steven’s mantra, “You happy?” we inquired each morning as we exchanged a kiss. You probably know folks with difficulties, who exhibit remarkable grace and courage in their plight. And in spite of it all, they are happy. Our scripture, this morning, is pulled from all parts of our lectionary (the book of Proverbs, OT, a Psalm, an Epistle from James, and Mark’s Gospel). Each has comments on happiness or contentment, at least in some small manner. We’ll be looking at some of those passages, as we go. You might want to go home, though, today, and read the scriptures, at length, and give them some more thought. As I read through them, our young friend, Steven, came to mind. And then some questions surfaced….questions like, “Are you happy…in your troubles or in your good fortune? What, exactly, makes us happy? And, in all sincerity, do we believe God wants us to be happy—even when others around the world suffer?”// The secret of happiness. I wonder…what would happen if we put a huge sign out on our lot, or advertized in the newspaper “Learn the big secret, this Sunday, how you can be happy!” Would we have a full house?/ I know there are other books written on the subject. But this is what I found in our book, from Psalms, the first. Actually, this is categorized as a wisdom psalm. Wisdom psalms are meditations on life and the ways of God. Here it is: “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on that law they meditate day and night.” (stop, here) What is that law? And how do we meditate on it, day and night? You might be thinking of the ten commandments, and that’s a good place to start, but I would push you to consider more—the ten commandments in positive form, which also appear in the book of Deut., shortly after the ten commandments. In Jewish tradition, these verses are known as the “Shema.” In Hebrew, “Shema” means “hear,” and that’s how the scripture begins….instead of “thou shalt not…” it reads, “you shall…” (Deut. 6:4-9) “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” This is how we keep the law of God burning in our hearts and souls and minds, day and night. This is not news to you---you know this. In our NT, Jesus reminds us again, of that law, (Mt. 22:38) when the lawyer asks him which commandment in the law was greatest, he replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” You know this, too. So let’s go back to the first Psalm, now… “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on that law they meditate day and night….They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper.” In other words, in our meditation, loving God---we prosper. We are refreshed and more, we bring forth fruit—we embody gifts for sharing. Happy are those--- If Psalm 1 is considered a wisdom psalm, then our reading from James falls in line. “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom..” (and now I’m paraphrasing), ….the kind of wisdom that come from God, pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. A harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. Again, do you see how this way of life leads to manifestation….it doesn’t just survive…it grows plentiful…a full harvest. Our reading from Proverbs 31:10-31, points us back to happiness. At first, it appears to be focused on a wife, but as we read through the passage, we learn that one’s happiness spills over into all of her relationships. “A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away. She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls. She considers a field and buts it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson. She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her ---happy; her husband too, and he praises her:” This woman is empowered, embodying strength and dignity with more than a little Hut spa/chutzpa. ….and what’s the harvest, here? What comes out of her labor of tending the garden, clothing her family, extending care to the needy, and employing others, while she, herself, burns the midnight oil? She’s a seeker, a provider, does good for others, builds trust in relationships. She is a helper, a hard worker, prepares for the future; she laughs, teaches her children wisdom and kindness. I’ll tell you--She is a valuable member of the community—more precious than jewels. Her husband praises her, and her children rise up and call her -- happy. In Mark’s gospel we hear the story of the disciples, somewhat ashamed of their private bickering about who was the greatest as they made their way. It may seem like it has little to do with happiness, but there are those who would say they have it made if they were the greatest - whatever….golfer, teacher, therapist, soccer player. While that may be true, I believe Jesus had more to teach them…and it probably wasn’t quite what they might have had in mind. What he said, was this: “Whoever wants to be first must be last and servant of all.” (Now, do you still want to be the greatest?) So what do all four of these readings have in common? Do you see the connection? Happiness isn’t just about you, or even your particular frame of mind. It’s a lot closer to the ministry of our friend, Steven Hoppe. It has to do with checking in with others, building trustworthy relationships, girding ourselves with strength and dignity, working hard, fearlessly reaching out to the poor and needy, teaching kindness, meditating on God’s will with all we’ve got, working hard, serving others with gentleness, willingness to yield, working hard, planting and harvesting and sharing the harvest. This is where our happiness lies---whoever wants to be first must be last and servant to all. The truth is, we bring the blessing. Happiness, like greatness, is not our goal…. God blesses our work, and in that blessing, comes joy. As co-workers, with God, we are empowered to be the blessing. Over the last year and a half, we have been working, diligently, discerning how God can use us as a church---what God’s special mission is for Hope UMC. In a couple of weeks, we will be sharing at our all family retreat, further discerning how we might serve, so that we might yield a full harvest. You happy? It’s time to start counting our blessings, and sharing them….what have we got to share, how will we serve? May the meditation of your hearts lead you into God’s blessings. Amen. |