Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Laughter is serious business!

My pastor forwarded an online article from Christianity Today that was really good: Carbonated Holiness by Carolyn Arends. It was a great reminder that sometimes laughter really is the best medicine. Midway through the article Carolyn says: A good laugh is a release—even if only for a moment—from worry, strife, and self. It is a sudden, often unbidden confession that someway, somehow, all is well, or at least there is a hope that it can be.
How true is that!?! I think especially recently I've really appreciated what brief reprises that I've been given. Maybe thats why I like comedies so much - we get a genuine release from the laughter that comes with watching a good comedy!
Carolyn also told a story about her family: When our kids were toddlers, my husband, Mark, and I would twirl and spin them until they were helpless with laughter so hard it was soundless, and then we would laugh at them laughing until we were all worn out with gladness. If we'd have thought of it, we could have quoted the psalmist as we held our aching sides on the family room floor: "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. … The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy" (Ps. 126:2–3).
In the last week or so (especially the last few days) Joe has been much more responsive, babbling, smiling and laughing alot. It has been such a blessing to see such innocent expressions of joy in our special little boy.

5 comments:

jan said...

Oh I'm so glad you've seen some changes in Joe!
That is good news.
As well as all the other benefits, I've heard that a good belly laugh every day will prolong your life too...
jan

Marathon Someday said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog - I really appreciate it! I'm bookmarking your's.:-)

Jodie Wolfe said...

Thanks for this.

I wanted to let you know that I am having a book giveaway. To enter all you need to do is post ten struggles you face as a Christian woman and also your age. If you have a few minutes, come check out my blog. Thanks and God bless.

Unknown said...

I LOVE that picture of you laughing, Lawana. You should post that on your side bar permanently. I'm happy to hear about Joe.

Melissa in Mel's World said...

I need to go over and read about Joe before I can comment on that, but I truly believe that Laughter can be the BEST medicine!