Let’s Laugh More
LAUGH. When was the last time you had a good laugh? When you gave way to a deep emotion which seemed to roll out of your belly– a pleasant sound, that expressed happiness, merriment, or amusement?
To start the new year off I was given a big standing wooden sign: LAUGHTER. It’s now on my bookshelf staring down at me, encouraging me to take time to laugh at least once today.
The Bible has more than 30 references to laugh. One Scripture says there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” (Ecc.3:6). “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy” (Job 8:21).
The Proverbs woman is described as being “clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (Prov 31:25).
And even this powerful one, “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision” (Psalm 2:4).
To turn my tickle box upside down when I know I need to laugh, I try to (1) recall a funny incident I saw or (2) something amusing I read or (3) a hilarious story someone told me or (4) watch a humorous video.
The Scripture that says a merry heart does good like medicine is medically true. Specialists say laughter has a good effect on heart function–it dilates blood vessels, increases muscle tone, and even increases pain tolerance. Laughter also has the potential to significantly affect the quality of our work lives. Humor helps relieve tension, reassures people, and draws them together. (1).
The gravestone of a married couple buried in our local cemetery says boldly: We Had Fun. I laugh while wondering about all the fun they enjoyed.
When my pharmacist friend Billy died, his children wrote his obituary, attempting to capture his own sense of humor: It began with, “Billy loved ice cream.” And ended with, “In lieu of flowers please send fried chicken.” While we his friends all laughed and laughed, we knew it was just like Billy to say such things!
Not long ago my daughter and I were sitting at a restaurant table catching up on what had happened since she had moved. We were chatting away. An elderly woman dining across from us, said a few things to us. We nodded and smiled, acknowledging her comments. But when she finished, she came and stood by our table and asked, “Do you know who I am?”
Embarrassed, I answered honestly, “Sorry, but I do not.” She proceeded to tell us she was from California and had been a dance instructor for a large portion of her life. Then to my utter surprise I watched as she announced, “I am Mrs. Swivel Hips.” She began to swivel her hips and do a dance around our table, one time, two time, three times. Then she was off, swiveling around the next table of diners– dancing all the way to the cashier desk out front.The dining room exploded in laughter. A few customers even clapped for her performance.
Whenever I need a laugh, I sometimes pull Mrs. Swivel Hips and her hilarious dance routine from my memory bank–and laugh out loud once again!
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of laughter. And for its benefits. What fun it is to laugh with family or friends–and enjoy its results. Amen.
Scripture: How we laughed and sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” (Psalm 126:2 The Living Bible)
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. (Prov 17:22 KJV)
Footnotes:
- https://www.va.gov/WHOLEHEALTHLIBRARY/tools/healing-benefits-humor-laughter.asp
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