Did you hear of the poor fellow from Australia who wore himself out trying to throw away his boomerang? Boomerangs are not the only thing that comes back to us. Jesus said, “Forgive and you will be forgiven, give and it shall be given unto you.” Everybody wants to be happy, and like the man from Australia, many people wear themselves out seeking happiness. Their problem is what they don’t know. Happiness does not come by seeking it. Happiness comes by giving it. When you make others happy it will come back to you like a boomerang.
One very wise man, who has been married fifty years, found a plaque and placed it on his wall where he could see it regularly. On the plaque were these words of wisdom: “When mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” The grammar is atrocious, but the wisdom is priceless. Taking hold to these words may partly explain why he has had such an enduring happy marriage.
This requires maturity – which everybody does not have. Maturity = unselfishness. The most immature person on earth is a newborn baby. He is the center of attraction and everyone waits on him. It is fine and natural for a baby to be immature and selfish. The tragedy is when middle aged men and women are still like that. How many times I have counseled disgruntled husbands and wives who have asked, “Don’t I have a right to some happiness?” They were always shocked when I answered “NO!” You have the right to the pursuit of happiness, but you are not going to find it pursuing it in the wrong way.
The remedy is simple: Grow up! Be a mature adult. Do all you can to make your spouse happy. Don’t selfishly demand your own way. “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Serve Jesus as they Lord of your life and give all the help you can to others. You will find the happiness you desired without seeking it.
Make others happy and like a boomerang it will come back to you!