I usually post photo’s with a short devotion or encouragement on Instagram first thing in the morning (it’s kind of my little mini blog over there) but today I strayed from my norm to share a little bit of humor.
The immediate replies surprised me.
“LOL!!! I needed that.”
“My mom is dying (of laughter)…”
“Love that!”
While I know our need for Jesus is great, I was suddenly aware of a different kind of need, and that’s our need to laugh.
Stay-at-home moms, working women, and ladies in general – we all have one thing in common, and that one thing is stress. It’s not easy getting through a day full of deadlines and diapers, bills and baby food, colds and cries, and the never-ending demands on our time, love, and attention with a smile on our face.
“A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs 17:22
It’s true. Laughter is good for the soul, and we don’t do it enough.
“Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.” – Mark Twain
Studies show that laughter reduces heart disease and pain, and helps you lose weight (I’m gonna try to laugh my butt off today after learning that helpful tip, no pun intended). It also helps you sleep better, decreases stress, and makes you look younger, in spite of those awful laugh lines we think we get from it.
There’s no doubt that laughing is good for us, and we need more of it. I live with 3 males, from 16 to 44, and each of them have an uncanny knack at finding humor in everything. They make me laugh so hard my belly hurts. Sometimes their humor drives me nuts, but to them, a day without laughter is a day wasted. Honestly, I think they’re on to something.
A few years ago, I joined my good friend, Sharon (Hiking Toward Home) for a weekend away in Harrisburg at the 2012 Allume conference. We shared a beautiful room at the Harrisburg Hyatt with Julie Nevue (wife to the incredibly talented David Nevue) but there’s one thing about that trip that stands out. Yes, the accommodations were splendid, the conference was awesome, and we were ridiculously blessed not to have to cook or clean or even make our bed if we didn’t want to…
But the best part about that weekend was how hard we laughed.
When was the last time you laughed?
Look for things that will make you laugh today. Try to focus on the positive rather than dwell on the negative. Think on the blessings God has given you rather than on the difficulties of life. And if nothing else, laugh at yourself…if you’re anything like me, you’ll have plenty to keep you smiling!
“Happy are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. Happy are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.” Psalms 119:1-2
Lord,
Help me to enjoy laughter today, whether I’m performing tasks that seem mundane and unimportant, or experiencing challenges that make my heart hang low. Help me to see that it’s better for my soul to find humor than it is to wear a frown, and that I can be a better witness for You when I can laugh.
In Jesus Name
Yes! If our first grandbaby turns out to be a little girl, I’m hoping to have PLENTY of pink dryer lint, and lots of laughs, too!
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” Proverbs 17:22
I was just telling the dog bow much I appreciate that she makes me laugh with her antics over her little blue racquet balls. I am also thankful that God passed on my husband’s sense of humor to my kids, especially my oldest son.
I enjoy being aroung you because your quick wit keeps me laughing.
I will probably end up with some pink dryer lint today… Maybe I should put it in the mail… Send it maybe… To Oregon?