The Powerful Gift of Laughter
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Recently after a meal I was putting some leftovers away. My mind was on a number of things, and I suddenly realized that instead of putting them in the refrigerator like I intended - I was putting the container on a pantry shelf. As I became aware of it, I started laughing! I had a good laugh at myself, and then realized that I felt "lighter" because of it. The laughter lifted my spirits. It was very therapeutic.
As I thought about this, I realized (once again) what a gift laughter is to us! God intended it to be a blessing and help to us as we go about life. I know I've mentioned it before, but during the years that my daughter was very ill we would watch funny movies. We saw how healing and helpful laughter was.
The well-known Mayo Clinic says laughter relieves stress, improves our immune system, relieves pain, lifts depression and anxiety, burns calories (what a great diet!!), helps us live longer, and improves our overall health.
There are many "tools" that God has given us to help us in our lives. I'm convinced that laughter is one of them. In the midst of stress, pressure, and just the busyness of life - laughter helps lift weights off our heart and mind. I'm so glad God created laughter!
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." Proverbs 17:22
"The cheerful heart has a continual feast." Proverbs 15:15
"Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, the Lord has done great things for them." Psalm 126:2
"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25
"A time to weep, and a time to laugh." Ecclesiastes 3:4
As I searched the Bible for verses about laughter, I was amazed at how very much God had to say about it. Laughter is such a special gift. I'm grateful God provided it for us. My recent experience with the leftovers was a good reminder that when I'm having a hard day, I need to stop and laugh!
I am so grateful for this reminder about the gift of laughter as I walk out my journey of grief.
In recent times, 5 of my friends have lost their husbands. Each of them are in various stages of grieving. I read somewhere that losing the love of your life is not for the faint of heart. That is so very true! These friends had all been married for a "lifetime" - like me. It's so hard to lose your lifelong friend and partner.
Last week 2 friends sent me the same quote by Rich Villodas, a pastor in New York City. "Lamenting is the spiritually mature response to sadness and sorrow. Our spiritual aliveness is not found in our ability to suppress our sadness. Our spiritual aliveness is found in our ability to bring it to God."
I say a hearty "amen!" to that. As I walk through the process of grief, my saving grace has been in bringing my sadness to the Lord. Time and time again when a memory has come out-of-the-blue, and I find tears rolling down my cheeks - the Lord has ministered sweet comfort to my heart.
At first I thought that maybe I should just move on through my grief. But it doesn't work like that! Grief pops up when I least expect it. I actually thought that I'd grieved so much the last few years that maybe I wouldn't have too much now. But, surprise, surprise - that didn't happen. There was one kind of grief when I mourned Floyd being sick and not being present in my day-to-day life. But there's another kind of "final" grief that came when he passed away.
I also heard someone say that "grief never ends, but it changes along the way. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith. It is the price of love." I'm grateful that I have a precious love to mourn the loss of! Floyd and I met and married when we were both very young. We had a wonderful life together of serving the Lord. I am so grateful for each of our 54 years.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.....A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Ecclesiastes 3:1,4
I have heard from so many dear ones who are going through a time of grieving. It may not be the loss of a loved one - it may be the loss of a way of life, of a job, of health, or of any number of things. Life is like a river. It moves us along whether we want to go or not. And often it involves grief. My prayer for you today is that you will find comfort in the Lord as I have. God has been so faithful in holding my hand as I walk through grief. As the verse above says, there is a time for grief and mourning. And our wonderful Father is with us each step of the way.