This time was different.  My thoughts were not on work or what I wanted to buy.  My thoughts were on me.  I've lived more than half of an average man's life and have not found happiness.  Why haven't I?  I have three beautiful children, each of them better than I ever was.  I've been married 20 years now without any problems to speak of.  I go to church all the time.  Financially we are not in need, and the future looks bright.  So why am I not happy?  I sat there and thought.  What am I missing?

I have a cassette radio on my night stand, and for the last couple of years, I have listened to four or five tapes while trying to get to sleep at night.  One of those tapes is Pastor Chuck Wheeler's personal testimony.  This tape (which I've heard over 50 times) tells of his personal test of 30 days of Bible reading.  Sitting there in my kitchen I remembered his words. I then thought, "Should I try this?  Why?  My parents read the Bible to us all the time. I grew up in a Christian school and had Bible class every day. I even read at supper occasionally."  As I finished the cigarette I was smoking, I looked at the drawer of my kitchen table.  I pulled it open and stared at the Bible that was there.  Should I or shouldn't I?

It is now more than a year and a half later and I'm still reading the Bible at length at least two times a week.  I shouldn't say reading, I should say studying.  I spend about an hour by myself after everyone is in bed and have found it to be the most satisfying time of the week.  God has used this time to reveal many things to me that I would not have understood or known otherwise.  Through this scripture reading time, God first convinced me and then helped me stop smoking.  Above all, I've found what I was looking for—Happiness.  I found it in a personal relationship with God through quiet time and His word.

Do I still think about work?  Do I still think about things I would like to have?  Sure.  But now these things are not the priority of my life. Now I feel I can wait until the Lord reveals how He wants me to run the business, and when, if at all, He allows me to enjoy certain earthly pleasures.

Have you ever thought my thoughts?  Are you really happy, or are you faking it?  If you think you don't have time to read the Bible, do yourself a favor. Try reading the Bible regularly for 30 days and see what happens.