The Blogger Herself

The Blogger Herself

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Why Laugh?

Dedicated to Margaret Long and Madeline Ellis
If you are around my family much there is one element that is present at any family gathering.  Well if you count food as one, there are actually two elements present.  The one I want to focus on here, as we have entered into 2014 is laughter. There is rarely ever a shortage of laughter when my family is together.  There is no doubt there is much to be serious about in this life, but the abundant life Christ promised us isn't’ one that is void of laughter.    Do you ever wonder if Jesus laughed?  I have really no doubt that He did, because the Bible says He Christ made himself like us in every way.  When Jesus allowed Children to come to him, I believe that He allowed them to come as who they were, laughter and all.  There are some who would say that laughing with God is irrelevant, but I disagree….     Laughter makes life richer….  My mom and I laughed last night when she mistakenly gave a Hobby Lobby card to the cashier at Starbucks.  We laughed when my aunt bought groceries from Kroger and upon pushing the cart to the van the toilet paper rolled into the street.  We were not the only ones laughing then.    As a result of my being a deep thinker people often miss or overlook my fun side.  Laughter makes the hard times lighter and more manageable.  Laughter is a gift from God.  “There is a time to cry and a time to laugh.
    A time to grieve and a time to dance.” Ecc. 3:4 
A life without laughter is a life lacking something.  I’m glad I have a family that knows how to laugh.  I remember when my cousin Bill, my uncle Ron, and another family member, all ran around the pool like mad men chasing my little cousin Jack, before he dove in the pool with his nice clothes on.  If memory serves me correctly they did not catch him before dove in, and we burst into laughter.  I think we were all so amused that I don’t recall his getting into trouble for his big jump.   
Sometimes it is good to laugh at yourself.  Like the time I introduced a classmate by the wrong name to someone, as I drove away, his girlfriend asked why I called him by another first AND yes last name too. 
 Like any other gift in life if we use laughter poorly or in the wrong way at the wrong time, we can hurt ourselves and others.  No one uses laughter perfectly, all the time, but laughter is healthy for body and soul.  I want to tell you about two sisters who laugh together and have fun wherever they go and whatever they face….  One has chemo brain sometimes, and the other is sometimes suspected of possibly having slight conversational ADD.  I think this verse describes both these sisters. “

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future Prov.”31:25

    One of these women is my Aunt, and the other is my mom.  They spread the gift of laughter wherever they are, and many uplifted by their fun and optimism.  I’m blessed to have their genes.  Does someone in your life make you laugh?  I’d love to hear about them!

5 comments:

Jennifer Dougan said...

TJ,

Oh, I love laughing, and am a firm believer in its healing abilities. Often it's laughing with desperation or tears, but it still brings stress relief and joy, huh?

Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Dee said...

My friend Sue of 50 plus years still laugh and giggle when we are together much like we did as young girls...we have actually laughed so hard we wet our pants....a serious reaction to laughter in older age. LOL I do believe Jesus laughed...if he cried I am sure he also laughed. Hugs...keep laughing and smiling with that great smile of yours.

Dee said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Jennifer Dougan said...

Hi Tj,

I'm so glad that someone else does that too. I forget things or think I have done it all the time.

Thanks for stopping in,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com

Jennifer Dougan said...

Hi TJ,

Re your comment on my post "What God Never Assumes About You," I'm so glad! :) Thank you. Glad God could speak through me.

Have a great week,
Jennifer Dougan
www.jenniferdougan.com