Have you ever been to a Happy Hour? Back in the day, I would go with my first husband to a local Mexican restaurant and we would feast on hors d’oeuvres of all kinds and have at least two, buy one get one, drinks.
I’m not much for alcohol, so I would end up getting virgin margaritas which were so sweet that it was like drinking two 7/11 Big Gulp Slurpees.
There was plenty of food and drinks… enough to sufice as dinner. Happy Hour was always full of finger foods like chicken wings and tacos plus I enjoyed a sugar rush from my pretend Margaritas all at a discount. It was great!
Happy Hour was and is marketed as a time to relax with food, drinks and friends as a reward for a job well done after a hard day working at something, somewhere for somebody.
I haven’t been to one in years, but I was thinking about it the other day when it was five o’clock somewhere.
It used to make me feel so grown up to go to a bar. Don’t know why. I guess I was young and still trying to figure out who I was and where I fit in. A bar, I found, was not where I would find the answer.
I don’t work for anybody, anywhere, anymore, so I don’t really fit the criteria to need a happy hour but I really like the idea of setting aside at least an hour of the day to do something that makes me feel happy. That could be a lot of things, but a drink in one hand and something to munch on for at least part of an hour is appealing.
Bars are not my scene and drinking is not my forte. Food, on the other hand, is a big draw for me. I’m dieting, so I would need to watch what and when I eat so I asked myself, how can I be a part of or experience this HAPPY HOUR thing and does it need to always be at five o’clock… somewhere?
I’m here to tell you that I’ve decided to recreate the nuance and the idea of the Hour of Happiness.
If in fact Christ says He is both living water and the bread of life, well, there you go. Through Him, I can be filled and never be hungry or thirsty. That should surely make me happy if I can get my fill and not gain any weight.
If I partake of what Christ offers and I can find true peace and happiness in Him anytime of the day or night, even if it’s not five o’clock, then I can create my OWN Hour of Happiness.
My HAPPY HOUR can be my quiet time in prayer with Him, being fed by the Word of God thru Scripture and quenching my thirst for more inspiration by reading my daily devotionals.
Drinking a cup of coffee or a glass of tea, sitting in my comfy chair sharing time talking with and being inspired by God is the epitome of a perfect Happy Hour for me.
The other day I made my own version of a Virgin Margarita by blending ice, orange juice, lime and fresh strawberries. Then I made myself a plate of cheese and crackers, sat down to read the daily message from Sarah Young’s, Jesus Calling and enjoyed my Happy Hour at sunset on the porch with My Lord. It was a great way to end my busy day and it truly made me HAPPY.
Have you enjoyed a Happy Hour Lately? Create one of your own. It could be an hour spent at church or in prayer. It could be time spent visiting with a friend, helping others or maybe spending one on one time with God. You might even take an hour to write an encouraging note to friends like you.
Whatever you do, be inspired. Be creative and enjoy.
So today I am thankful for being able to find Rest, Peace and Happiness in the Lord no matter what time of day it is. I’m also thankful for virgin Margaritas, cheese and crackers, sunsets and the ability to share a few minutes of MY HAPPY HOUR with YOU.
What are you Thankful for today?
I’m sure God would Love to hear from you and so would I.
Blessings, VICTORIA
Believing Outside the Box 