"Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy." - Psalm 47:1 (NIV)
"Cries of joy"...another phrase for laughter. I mean, what else would you call it? God wants to hear our laughter; see our joy. In Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NIV), the Bible says there's, "a time to weep and a time to laugh." As an adult, I want to learn from my grandchildren - they can find joy and laughter in just about anything. A funny face, a tickle, a movie, being chased around the house, each other, the dogs playing, being outside, reading or being read to, cartoons, being held, going for a ride, a dumb joke, a game....I could go on and on. It doesn't take much to make them laugh and they do so on a daily basis.
What happened to me? Why don't I laugh every day? Even in the midst of troubles and sorrows, there is always a reason for joy. His name is Jesus. Philippians 4:4 (NIV) says, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" That doesn't mean only when everything is going great and life is a breeze. It means even when life has handed me the biggest bucket of lemons it possibly can, I have a reason to laugh and be joyful. I have Jesus in my heart and Heaven as my eternal home. My troubles here on earth are fleeting; I have a whole eternity in Heaven, singing & praising, to look forward to. That alone should bring me daily joy!
When we find a reason to laugh, it changes things. It can bring light into a dark situation. It can release tension. It can bring out the child in us. It can heal. It can strengthen. It can make us see things differently. It really is the best medicine!
I decided this morning that I was going to find a reason to laugh, starting today and every day from now on, no matter what else may be going on around me. You know what? It wasn't hard to find one today!! Actually I found several reasons to laugh and the day isn't over! All I had to do was change my mindset - how I perceive things. God puts plenty of blessings and miracles into my life - I intend to stop and take some time each day to see them and enjoy them. And laugh!
"Laughter may not necessarily get you out of the tunnel, but it will definitely light your way." - Barbara Johnson
Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of laughter. Thank You for Jesus and the joy He brings to my life. May I keep my focus on Him and find reasons to laugh every day. Let me put a smile on my face each morning and share it with all I come into contact with. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment