A little piece of happiness in a crazy world!

Written by Uilleam Mac Gafraidh 

Those of you who have been around me recently have noticed that I am a wee bit more chipper, a wee bit happier for the American English speakers among you! Even fewer of you will know why that is, I can explain why that is by listing my 5 favourite things (these are no particular order) 

• Spending time with my wife and child
• Studying God’s word
• Spending time with family and/or dogs
• Teaching God’s word
• Watching sport 

Now that order has changed quite considerably in my life, for example #4 is a recent addition, not because I feel that I am any good at it, but feel called to get the word of God out to Exeter, California. I am a great believe that God will not give you more than you can handle, and whilst I am teaching to a small crowd, I am learning also! Please continue to pray for my ongoing development at I teach Agape Exeter. 

#2 was not always there as well, when I used to love to imbibe on an evening (get buzzed with my mates) there was precious little of Gods word in my life getting read and even less being displayed in my day to day life. If you were to look at my life you would certainly never guess that I did even if I did a little. 

#1 is my favourite pastime (more on that later) spending time with Chelsea and Tabitha is time invested in my family. I love that time and there is no sweeter time than time spent with these two. I am blessed among men to have such a wonderful caring wife. God blessed me further with my daughter, who despite developing herself, is really moulding me also! I pray that I become a better father! 

#3 is also great; this week I have had opportunity to spend time with both my American family and also my parents. Spending time with my parents is always a pleasure and although we try and concentrate a years worth of love into a few weeks, we truly do well. I am always a wee bit happier when the parents are around, I don’t actually know why, maybe it’s because I miss them and Scotland! And of course, time spent with my dogs, Fudge and Bashful is always time well spent, these dogs have taught me so much about mans condition with God! 

#5 is something that used to be #1 in my life but is less important now. Anyone who would have known me of old would have thought that when I got satellite TV, my first choice would have been the sports packages (and lots of them) in truth I have ESPN and will watch it if it is on, but can now take it or leave it! I check my favourite team’s scores when they play but I am no longer a sports nut anymore! (Now don’t get me wrong, if I am offered a freebie, I might still go!) 

You see, I got a wee glimpse of happiness this morning around 7:30 am, Tabitha got up and was fussing and I could tell she wanted to be asleep but she woke up with a start! So I took her in my arms and got her to sleep, she looked content; she knew that she was safe in daddy’s arms! It truly warmed my heart to see the little half smile as she drifted deeper to sleep. 

I have found that my life is much more enriched than it was when I was single, when I was single it was all about me, now, the decisions I make affect my family, Chelsea, Tabitha and I! It is no longer about playing video games, being silly or living for me, it is about raising my wife and child up in a good godly household! 

Please pray for my parents, they have a very long journey ahead of them back to Scotland, they spend nearly a day traveling with layovers, pray that it doesn’t take too much out of them and that they get home safely. 

Lastly, if you could pray for the family of Chuck Smith Senior, the founder of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa (and also of Calvary Chapel’s worldwide) who had a minor stroke at the weekend. Please pray for Chuck’s health and for his family during this time! 

God bless and I hope that my words added to your day, please feel free to comment 

Uilleam Mac Gafraidh