“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 KJV.
In this book pictured above, B.J. Lossing writes of Irishman turned American and later signer of the Declaration of Independence, Matthew Thornton. Lossing observes that “Dr. Thornton was greatly beloved by all who knew him, and to the close of his long life he was a consistent and zealous Christian. He always enjoyed remarkably good health, and, by the practice of those hygeian virtues, temperance and cheerfulness, he attained a patriarchal age.”
Thus, through the ages the Biblical truth is played out that a merry heart really does do good – like a medicine.
The great statesman Winston Churchill said “there is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse.” Our daughter is on the white horse near the center of this photo. Her horse’s name is Holly. Just to the left of them in the center of the photo on a bay horse is a girl named Meadow. Meadow is no longer a girl, but a beautiful grown woman in her twenties.
Meadow rode up to us with a smile as big as the Rocky Mountains illuminating her face as she joyously told us about riding Holly when Meadow was a girl of just eight years old. Holly had left a hoof print on Meadow’s heart that Meadow had not only never forgotten, but held dear. Her continued love for this special horse showed in her sparkling eyes while she talked to us.
Holly has a merry heart. Her merry and true heart has done much good throughout her life. And, sensing that she still has great purpose, Holly continues having a merry heart and doing so much good – even sharing her grain with Minnie, the goat – every day. Holly has also had a very long life and is still in vibrant, excellent health! There’s a lesson in this for us! Let’s be merry and do much good!! Not only will we bless countless others, we will reap great rewards of invigorated health and happiness!
The History Marm 