“Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on. “
Bob Newhart

Laughing is my favorite.  I am sort of known for my almost (maybe totally, but I prefer denial) obnoxiously loud and constant laughter.  I have been told I laugh at myself, you know, at my own jokes which may be a no-no but I might as well find myself hilarious in case no one else does.  My 8 year old recently told me I’m really good at laughing and that’s allllllmost better than being pretty.  Well, probably better but I hope he thinks I’m pretty too. Heehee. I take my laughter so seriously I never use “lol” because I have specific text laughs for different situations.  You can see a small sample in the title of this post.  I don’t care if it takes me 500 million more seconds to get my text out.  It’s that important to me.

My hospital days last week were incredibly challenging but were all erased when I spent TWO WHOLE HOURS after a shift with 4 of my girlfriends laughing until my cheeks hurt and my throat was scratchy.  By the time we were done, I was no longer carrying the stresses and injustices of the day.  The burden of caring for the intensely ill had been passed off to good and capable night shift hands and the girls and I could let our cares melt into uproarious throw your hands up and your head back I can totally see your epiglottis laughter.

I am so thankful for the gift of laughter.  It warms the heart, releases endorphins, and draws people together.  Think about all your friends.  The ones you want to be with are probably the ones who you laugh the most with. My best friend, my husband, makes me laugh hysterically every day of my life.  He is sarcastic, witty, and no one can make me laugh like him.  I’m so glad I can be with him every day.

And tell me this: what on earth is better than the laughs of children?  Anything? I don’t think so.  My oldest baby laughed when he was only a couple of months old and never stopped.  My daughter’s belly laugh makes all of us crack up.  The baby’s silly giggles are so delightful they make me stop whatever I’m doing to join in. I think God feels that way when he hears us laughing.  We’re His children.  Think of the joy He gets from our happiness.  I like to think He hears me whoopin’ it up and laughs with me.  I am confident of the joy He finds in our uproarious laughter and quiet giggles when they honor Him.

So here’s where I saw God this week:

And here:

And here:

Psalm 126:1-3

 ¹ When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion

we were like those who dreamed.

² Our mouths were filled with laughter,

   our tongues with songs of joy.

Then it was said among the nations,

   “The LORD has done great things for them.”

³ The LORD has done great things for us,

  and we are filled with joy.

Be filled with joy this week.  The Lord is doing great things for you!

Linking up with Beautifully Rooted on this lovely day.