The Gift of Laughter

The Bible talks about times to celebrate.  Jesus Himself took time to celebrate.  Celebration is part of our Christian walk.  So I take great joy in thinking about a particular celebration taking place this year.  It's the 50 year anniversary of YWAM Holland/the Netherlands.  50 years ago it all began!

I remember well arriving from Afghanistan to live on the two house boats called The Ark with a toddler in hand and a baby on the way.  The rocking of the boats made me nauseous in my pregnancy, and I was afraid our toddler would fall in the canal.  I wondered what in the world we had gotten ourselves into! 

YWAM had purchased the houseboats for an outreach previous to our arrival.  We were asked to come and help establish a permanent outreach to the hippies, drug addicts, and young people in the city.  It seemed like a great idea when we prayed about it in Afghanistan, but the reality of what we were facing made me wonder if we had truly heard from the Lord!

I prayed and told the Lord something had to change - He had to help me.  He did!  From that day on all my nausea disappeared......and our toddler daughter never fell into the canal.  Our puppy that we had gotten for her made it into the canal twice, but we were able to rescue him.  We spent the next 18 years in Holland.  There were many challenges and many answers to prayer.  God was so good and so faithful!

Now, 50 years later, YWAM has many ministries throughout Amsterdam and the country.  Many prayers have been answered.  Many miracles have taken place.  And it's time to celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness.  Anyone and everyone is invited to help celebrate.  There will be special things happening throughout the year, but the main celebration for an alumni week will be May 15-19.  I will put the link to register at the bottom of this post.

"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms." Psalm 95:2

"The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad." Psalm 126:3

"Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord." Exodus 12:14

I can't believe that we're at the end of the first month of this new year.  The days are flying by!  One of the things I've been thinking about is with the new year come new beginnings.  I get excited about that!

I've been reminded of something recently.  I firmly believe that laughter is a potent medicine!  The last few weeks as I battled a tummy bug and the after effects of severe weakness - I haven't been very happy.  I certainly haven't been laughing, or even smiling.  I've been sad, I guess, because I've felt so awful.

When I was reminded of the "medicinal" effects of laughter, I made a conscious effort to smile and laugh.  It truly helped!  I'm still struggling with weakness, but the heaviness of it all has lifted.  It's a new beginning of joy for me!!  

I've known this principle so well, and seen it in action - but had forgotten. Many years ago our daughter was very sick for over 6 years.  We thought of the truth of laughter being a good medicine.  We looked for funny movies to watch and light-hearted, fun books to read.  It was amazing how much it helped.

Laughter has good physical effects too.  It reduces stress.  It increases the good cholesterol.  It decreases inflammation in our arteries, and it reduces anxiety.  Laughter helps fight viruses and bacteria.  It boosts the immune system.  There are whole lists of how it helps us physically.

If you know someone who's sick - send them a fun card, a joke, or a humorous story.  Hopefully it will bring a smile to help them.  :) 

"He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."  Job 8:21

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Proverbs 17:22

"Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.' "  Psalm 126:2

"All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast."  Proverbs 15:15

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh."  Ecclesiastes 3:4

Laughter brings joy.  Joy opens the door to worship.  And worship always ministers to our hearts and our bodies.  Laughter is a gift from the Lord.  Have a good laugh today - enjoy some guilt-free goodness from the Lord!

For details about YWAM celebrations click here