We are living in a sad world. Political stresses, race problems, violence, health issues, cost of living rising daily it seems, shortages of important things, jobs and homes falling apart; it is no wonder people do not smile so easily today. One of my joys is to help someone smile, either with kind words, or a crooked smile and eye contact from this old man. A dose of kindness can change an outlook for the day.
I also love to make people laugh when I can, but it is not my practice to tell jokes, I rather enjoy spontaneous one- liners; however, it is a rare thing if you see me laugh. When I was about five years old on a black and white TV, I saw Jack Benny, Danny Kaye, and Red Skelton. At that tender age, my dream was to be a comedian; to make people laugh and be happy. I did not study comedy, or work on this; I simply had a small child’s desire. I truly believe God gave me the ability to see life with a turn of humor; after all, life can be funny, you just have to look.
Now, even though, as a long-time pastor (41 years) who deals with various forms of death and dying almost daily (people die, and they need to be warned of a coming judgment beforehand), and we live in a fallen, evil world; I am not a sad person. I love my life and calling. And I love funny things (clean, funny things); but it has never been in my nature to laugh out loud. But I have laughed out loud, and when I do it is usually one of those times when I am out of control laughing and cannot stop, even though it hurts!
A sense of humor is surely a gift of God.
“Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” (Psalm 32:11)
A cheerful heart has the ability to seize and take pleasure in those amazing moments of life that others never notice and turn them to laughter.
God wants us to enjoy, even laugh, while beholding His creation. Why else would He make puppies, kitties, ponies, monkeys, and human beings like me?
God wants us to laugh in these days. Be happy in Him. Rejoice. Be kinder. Love one another, right now . . . right now! The world needs love and laughter!
