The Secret to Happiness

For I know well the plans I have in mind for you—oracle of the LORD—plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.

I love Jeremiah 29:11, which is all about hope.

I have been reflecting on hope a lot lately, because I keep coming across timely reminders in Scripture and elsewhere: For instance, on the Second Sunday of Advent, I drove past a church with an electronic sign that had the words of Jeremiah 29:11 on it!

Advent also gives us timely reminders: It is a season of hope, as we await the coming of the Christ Child.

As Pope Francis tweeted on Dec. 4: "Advent increases our hope, a hope which does not disappoint. The Lord never lets us down."

This tweet brought to mind Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

In a world where much is amiss, keeping our hope in God is key, especially in the present (and as we hopefully await our spouses-to-be, in God's good time).

"Enjoy in peace the joy God is giving you, without worrying about the future" is the wise counsel of St. Thérèse.

And, as Blessed Mother Teresa put it, "Be happy in the moment; that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more."

Live well the life God is blessing you with now. Yes, we all want to rush toward the blessings of the future, especially as a new year approaches, but today is a gift, whether we are single or not.

Now, as we prepare for Christmas and the gift of Jesus, our ultimate Hope, let's also focus on preparing our hearts for what God wants to give us at the end of 2014 and the start of 2015.

Does he want you to better enjoy the little things of everyday life? Does he want you to hope in new dreams or projects? Is there someone he has in mind for you to get to know better (or meet)? I am praying about such questions myself.

Wherever it is, God directs his hope-filled plans for us.

Pope St. John Paul II told youth at World Youth Day 1993 in Denver: “It is he, Jesus Christ, the true Life, who gives hope and purpose to our earthly existence.”

After all, "The secret of happiness is to live moment by moment and to thank God for all that he, in his goodness, sends to us day after day," as St. Gianna Molla reminds us. Live hopefully each day, letting the God of hope be your guide.

Wishing you a blessed, happy and hopeful Advent, Christmas and soon-to-be 2015!

Amy Smith is the associate editor for the National Catholic Register.