PRETENDING TO BE HAPPY

I pretended I was happy, and I forced my face to smile.
I decided I’d forget my troubles for a little while.

I told myself I’d spend the day pursuing pleasant things,
Instead of dwelling on the pain of sad rememberings.

I must admit I wasn’t sure that I could pull it off,
And half expected all my friends who knew me well would scoff.

For they were used to seeing me most often with a frown,
‘Til then in just a little while they, too, were feeling down.

But surely I could just pretend that things were not so bad,
And that it wasn’t worth my while to always be so sad.

I really was surprised to find, that when I searched for ways
To count my many blessings, and to give the Lord the praise,

My burden seemed much lighter, and my pain just slipped away,
And I discovered I could live in pretense for one day.

But when I really looked around without a jaundiced eye,
I found that there were many folks a lot worse off than I. 

I realized that I could help them in their time of need,
Could maybe even share my faith by planting precious seed.

And though it might seem funny now, before my day could end,
I found my joy was genuine – no longer just pretend.

So now when I am tempted to withdraw, and pity me,
I know I can pretend ‘til it becomes reality.


By Betty Jo Mings