Life is not light hearted and hurt has stolen your joy.
Sometimes we go through no smile seasons.
The smile I had been complimented for my entire existence was no longer.
God snapped me out of my
gloomy focus on the hard
and revived my smile.
We easily forget God is alive and active in our lives!
I am thankful for laughter.
I love this passage in Job chapter 8 where Bildad is giving Job a pep talk.
I am a giver of pep talks to other people…
When laughter is lost, I need to listen to my own advice.
“The same happens to all who forget God,
The hopes of the godless evaporate.
Their confidence hangs by a thread.
They are leaning on a spiders web.” -Job 8:13
When our confidence is minimal and our hope has evaporated,
there is hope!
Only because we know He deeply understands our down days.
Only because we trust Him to walk us out of the dark and into His light.
He goes on to cheer…
“But look, God will not reject a person of integrity,
nor will he lend a hand to the wicked.
He will once again fill your mouth
with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” -Job 8:20
This may be one of my favorite “thanks” to write about.
It is a posture! Find the good, seek out the joy and enjoy healing laughter.
Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.”
-Psalm 100:1
Include the gift of laughter into your preparation and celebrating.
Its the best kind of healing medicine.
*Rearrange your time to
make room for conversations
that allow for laughter.
*Crank up the music.
Throw a dance party in your living room.
*Stop yourself from taking life so seriously.
I mean there is a time and a place for serious,
but it can not outweigh your joy.
*Be in the moment with your company
as you celebrate together.
Allow your OCD tendencies to
leave the room so you don’t miss
a chance to enter into memory lane laughter.
*Ask your kids the funniest memory
they have of Thanksgiving or Christmas!
Don’t be offended if it includes YOU!
*When you are tempted to be mad,
give yourself and others the grace to laugh at yourself!
That frees them up to actually enjoy your company.
I hope you find yourself enjoying some good, healthy laughing as you prepare for the festivities.
Let your guard down and make some unforgettable moments with your family and friends.
It just may be the medicine your soul needs!