Lessons from Laughter

This article was originally published here, on May 2, 2009.

I truly believe that one of the greatest sounds in the world is the sound of children laughing. It seems so free and uninhibited. A child is free to allow his or her joy bubble up to the top, and spill out in rivers of laughter. They want to laugh. Someone in the room laughs and they want to join in the festivities. Someone laughs on t.v. and the quickly imitate what they here.

Laughter allows us to lighten up for a moment. It helps us to put life into perspective. Children need adults who can model the ability to laugh at themselves. Too often, we take ourselves too seriously. Children don't usually take themselves too seriously. They tend to enjoy the moment for all it's worth.

I am learning a lot about life from my little girl. Her infectious laugh, her clever smile, and her playful spirit are helping me to remember the greatest treasures in life can't be bought. I am also learning that the most important moment in my life isn't the next one, it's this one. Children seem to be able to live in the moment and adjust to the situation. They aren't hung up on the future.

I'm not saying we should give any thought to the future. However, most of our planning for the future borders on obsession. We spend so much time and effort saving for tomorrow, we fail to enjoy today. We don't even know if we will get tomorrow. How sad to come to an end of a day and realize that it possessed no joy.

A Little Laughter Eases the Journey

We had a short unplanned road trip this afternoon. As we drove along through beautiful mountainous terrian of eastern Kentucky, we talked. At some point in the conversation we started to laugh. At about the exact moment we began to laugh Sophia blurted out, "Bo, Bo, guy, guy." She understood our laughter to be an indication that we thought "Bo, Bo, guy, guy," was the world's funniest joke. Taking our laughter as a sign of encouragment she began to repeat "Bo, Bo, guy, guy," over and over again. She would say it loud and soft, high and low; she would even say it with enthusiasm. Each time she said it we would laugh, and the she would laugh, and then we would laugh. For about twenty minutes are car was converted into a laugh factor, complete with our own little comedian.

The sound of her laugh make my heart bubble up with laughter of its own. It causes me to slow down and enjoy the life that God has blessed me with. It also reminds me to pray for the parents in this world who have list their children, or who have had them stolen away, by wicked people. I know the sound of silence can be deafening and maddening, too. It reminds me to pray for those who want to forego children for the pursuit of some supposed "better" life-a life unencumbered by children. But a life without children fiinds its burdens at the end, because there is no one there to help bear them. I am also reminded to pray for those who want children, but haven't been able to. Infertility is a heavy burden to bear. I pray that you all have a child's laugh somewhere in your life, because it is the sound of blessing.

Lessons from Laughter

I truly believe that one of the greatest sounds in the world is the sound of children laughing. It seems so free and uninhibited. A child is free to allow his or her joy bubble up to the top, and spill out in rivers of laughter. They want to laugh. Someone in the room laughs and they want to join in the festivities. Someone laughs on t.v. and the quickly imitate what they here.

Laughter allows us to lighten up for a moment. It helps us to put life into perspective. Children need adults who can model the ability to laugh at themselves. Too often, we take ourselves too seriously. Children don't usually take themselves too seriously. They tend to enjoy the moment for all it's worth.

I am learning a lot about life from my little girl. Her infectious laugh, her clever smile, and her playful spirit are helping me to remember the greatest treasures in life can't be bought. I am also learning that the most important moment in my life isn't the next one, it's this one. Children seem to be able to live in the moment and adjust to the situation. They aren't hung up on the future.

I'm not saying we should give any thought to the future. However, most of our planning for the future borders on obsession. We spend some much time and effort saving for tomorrow, we fail to enjoy today. We don't even know if we will get tomorrow. How sad to come to an end of a day and realize that it possessed no joy.

Laughter

Laughter is a gift from God. I have always found a child's laughter raises my spirits. This photo is a rare capture. Sophia usually gets real serious when you pull out the camera. My prayer is that her days will be filled with moments like this one. I hope all of you are having a wonderful New Year's Day.

Funny Friday Part 4

I would not want to be accused of taking myself to seriously. I am enjoying writing a blog, and I am excited to know that people are reading it. I hope that God blesses you with a lot of laughter today and everyday. He is our ultimate source of true joy, and life itself. God Bless.

Funny Friday Part 3

Here is a collection of thought provoking posters. These are more related to church life and point out errors we need to avoid. They make me laugh in one way and yet, they make me want to cry. The views parodied in these posters are real and dangerous. It does us good to give some consideration to error and humor is a gentle way to address it. You can find these and others here. May we never be guilty of such things. Lord preserve us from error.

Funny Friday Part 2

Here a few more funnies from Despair.com.

Funny Friday Part 1

I take laughter very seriously. I love to laugh and I hope you do too. Here are a few uninspiring motivational posters from Despair.com.