Laugh Out Loud by Jason Gray
“Laughter is an instant vacation.” Milton Berle
Jeanne Robertson is a comedian that travels around telling life stories. If you have not heard her speak, some of her stories are on YouTube. She has a great sense of humor and she recommends we all find humor in stressful situations.
Dead Last
After the Kentucky Derby, Jeanne Robertson posted on Facebook that she had selected Soup and Sandwich as her horse and the horse had finished “dead last”. Someone commented a rebuke to her that a dead horse was not funny. They suggested she tell the public about the horses that die on the racetrack every year. As a Southerner, I understand what she meant by dead last. To me it was funny. The idea that “Soup and Sandwich” is the name of a horse in the Derby is funny to me.
Sense of Humor
Jeanne’s post brought to mind that we as American people have lost our sense of humor. Yes, life has been a struggle for all of us, some more, some less. It has been a challenge in many ways, but to find a moment of humor and laughter in the middle of a difficult moment, makes the hard things of life so much more bearable.
Laugh to Stay Healthy
After some research on the benefits of laughter, I read that laughter triggers healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. It strengthens the immune system, puts us in a better mood, decreases pain, and protects us from the damaging effects of stress. Did you know that laughing protects the heart by improving the function of the blood vessels and increases the flow of blood? It may even help us live longer. What a fun way to stay healthy! And God planned it that way.
Does God Laugh?
The question then becomes “what about God, does He have a sense of humor?”
Genesis 1:27, “So, God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” ESV
The Best Medicine
Because God created us in His image, and we not only have the ability to laugh at things that are funny, then God, too, must have a sense of humor. How many times have I done something, usually not very smart, laughed at myself, and wondered if God found humor in it? I think of God’s nonhuman creations. To watch a penguin waddle across the snow and ice just makes me giggle. The small goats that jump around with so much energy are quite funny. Laughter is indeed the best medicine.
Laugh and Love
Linked is a short comedy sketch of Jeanne Robertson. Enjoy! Relax and get a good laugh from the story she tells. Spend time laughing and enjoying the humor in life. We may have to intentionally look for it, but it is there. I pray this week you will find laughter and love on each day.
Jeanne Roberson “Learning Cursive”
Paula Wallace
