"Laughter"

There’s something I am thinking,

I’ve thought it for awhile,

And when I think about it,

It always makes me smile.

It’s moments when the laughter,

Got so loud and long,

It rises in my memory,

So good when things go wrong.

When something’s really funny,

Bounces through my mind,

I stop and let it play there,

It happens all the time.

The joy of playful children,

Or someone tells a joke,

A catalogue of comedy,

And strangers’ ice is broke.

It’s sometimes in a movie,

Or even in real life,

Brings a happy chuckle,

It beats dwelling on strife.

And you might think how silly,

To laugh and hoot that way,

But life has so much sadness,

I try to laugh each day.

The Good Book says it’s healing,

Like medicine you dose,

It can do a lot of good,

To keep some laughter close.

And I can be real sober,

As serious as can be,

I just say it’s better,

To keep your heart care-free.

So many things are funny,

Just look and you will see,

A world of comic moments,

Are there for you and me.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength…” (Prov. 17:22, NLT)

Laughter is good medicine for what ails you. I know, sometimes these “too happy,” effervescent types get on my nerves, too, by trying to put a happy face on everything. I feel like slappin’ ‘em! But there is great truth to this scripture, which has nothing at all to do with a superficial, look on the bright side, positivity. I guess that’s better than negative or nothing, but when life crushes you, you need more. The laughter and joy that is good medicine for that is generated by something bigger that us. It’s the Holy Spirit. When He brings joy and laughter back into your life, it’s deep and healing and becomes your strength. Get some!

Lord, give us the good medicine only Your joy can bring, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Gayle Bone, used by permission. Thanks, Gayle, and God bless you.