Archives for August 2017

Humor and Joy—in the Everyday

08.22.2017 by Jenna Meister //

Welcome back, friend! I (Jennifer) am thrilled to introduce our guest this month, my good friend Jenna Meister. She continues our topic this month: How has God brought joy or humor into your life?

I have the honor of knowing Jenna’s heart and her beautiful family. I love her and all the Meisters—and so does everyone who gets to know them. Jenna shares in her authentic style, so get ready. Her story is real and reflects the “mommy of littles life” that she lives every day. I hope you love meeting my friend.

Hello! I am Jenna, wife of my hero husband and mother of four young children. I serve alongside my husband, Tim, in ministry where we collide head-on into amazing, crazy, fun teenagers. I also have the privilege to serve our young women’s ministry. These are just a few of my roles. I giggle at the crazy my life has become. I don’t mean the “busy” kind of crazy (yes, we’re busy) but rather, the constant moving parts of our family, ministry, marriage, friends, opportunities, and disappointments that make every day a beautiful story.

In our busyness, it is easy to lose sight of today. The beauty of laughter and joy can get lost in the middle of it all…

Laughter and joy.
We must first understand that they are very different. I laugh. A lot. I also feel pain deeply. However, in pain or peace, joy sustains you. Let me share examples.

2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy! Psalms 126:2-3

Last Thanksgiving, I was driving to my in-laws’ house. Tim and my oldest daughter led the way in one car while we followed. We went a different different route, cutting through back roads that were not familiar to me. About half way there, one offspring shouted, “I have to pee!” (all the mamas nod and smile). We were between small towns, and I had no idea when we would arrive at the next usable restroom (by usable, I mean clean—and all the mamas nod and smile). So I did what any dignified mother would do. I pulled off onto the next quiet road and parked. I proceeded to assist said offspring to pee in the grass. Then the next one shouts “Me, too!” (repeat steps until all children are happy, pee free, and buckled in). Then it was my turn. Yes, folks, I said it. I needed to go, too.

I should mention that it was raining, and the grass was slippery… In mid-stream I slipped. Pee everywhere. Now what? Well, I couldn’t very well put my jeans back on! I took my pants off, tossed them on the floor, and jumped into the driver’s seat. No big deal, right? I would call Tim when we arrived, and he would bring me pants. I started to drive, and a still, small voice whispered, “If you get pulled over, how will you explain why you have no pants?” I pulled off the road again, took a deep breath, and got out of the van. Butt naked. I found pants in my luggage and started driving again. Twenty minutes later I was pulled over for speeding. (I got a warning. Praise God, I had pants on!) When the Holy Spirit tells you to put your pants on, put your pants on! I tell you this story because I am still laughing!

Laughing every day is important! When a child pounces on you at 5:30am… When you put the cereal in the fridge and milk in the cabinet… When you have awkward encounters… When you find yourself in bizarre situations… Laugh. And laugh again. Enjoy this gift that brings healing.

A cheerful heart is good medicine… Proverbs 17:22

Joy…
Joy doesn’t equate laughter. Joy brings hope that your story is still being written. When all is right in your world, joy cannot be mistaken. However, joy is also present in pain.

Last year, I had an unexpected pregnancy. We giggled at God’s desire to bless us in spite of our planning. God had overcome the impossible! We couldn’t stop laughing! We had to see a doctor to remove the birth control option we had prayerfully chosen two years earlier. He said baby was perfect, and all would be well. We started making plans. We stayed up late dreaming of what our family would become after the little one arrived. A few days later, the miscarriage began. Nothing could be done. No one could fix it. And God didn’t change it. “The tears did not come from my eyes or throat but from somewhere much deeper,” I heard someone say once. There is no other way to describe it. Tim and I were both devastated.

But joy—

Joy was always there. It is not happiness or an emotional high. Rather, joy is the gift found at the very roots of our faith. In our grief, we knew that this child was in the hands of the Creator. We cannot understand the whys and what ifs, but we can confidently say that our current reality is not our finality. We grab hold of joy and hang on with every fiber of our being.

Yes, joy is found when you’re at peace with the world. But we cannot forget that it is present when disappointment is real. Joy is not determined by outside circumstances but what is found within. It is a worthy pursuit—because where joy meets the roots of your faith, Jesus is there. And He is enough…

No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. C. S. Lewis

Suffering and the Delight of God

08.15.2017 by Kim Findlay //

It’s all giggles here at Facets of Faith this month, something the three of us do quite well. This month we’re sharing how we see God’s humor through our lives. Be sure to check out Tracy and Jen’s posts before you check mine out below!

My husband loves to make me laugh. He tickles me, tells silly stories, sends goofy memes and gifs all to entice a giggle or two. I used to think he was plain goofy, but now I realize he simply delights in making me laugh and seeing me smile. And I’ll tell you a secret, I bask in his delight, even on days I may roll my eyes more than giggle.

There’s been much heartache up until these middle years of mine. Death, divorce, heartbreak. It’d be easy to stay sullen and allow bitterness to take root. After my daughter died, I prayed against that. I didn’t want to become that bitter woman who lost her joy even though death snatched her daughter away. I didn’t want to stay focused on all I lost, even though it was considerable. I wanted to embrace what was good. And in the goodness were hidden moments of laughter.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 NLT

I remember hanging in the hospital about a week after fire destroyed our home. The visitation and celebration of my daughter’s life were over, space where stories of Emma’s love for her family, her giggles at all things flatulence, and her simple joy of animals were shared. We giggled through tears as we remembered Emma jumping on the bed as little toots escaped her behind.

The long days of grief loomed before me while we still waited on news about her dad, who had suffered burns in the fire. I stood with my brother, making plans about, well, something. I can’t seem to remember what it was, but I do remember the laughter that took us both by surprise.

That’s the funny thing about grief – it robs us of certain memories while illuminates others. I remember telling my brother I’d look something up on the computer once I got home. It took a moment for my statement to catch up with reality.

Home. My home was destroyed by fire. Call it hysteria, lack of sleep, or a precious gift of laughter to lighten the moment, but my brother and I started giggling as I pretended to plug in the computer at various heights in our wall, searching for power. Where in the world would it fit? The wall no longer existed.

I know, you had to be there. But that’s what laughter and humor is about at times, isn’t it? A moment when you are fully present as a comment or look tickles your funny bone. And then the giggles begins to erupt from the depth of your broken heart until it spills out to those around you and you realize you’re able to endure a little while longer.

I still giggle as I remember that moment, that gulp of fresh air at the beginning of the long road of grief. A tender gift shared with my brother from the One who created laughter.

Have you ever thought about that? Where laughter began? Do we learn to laugh or is it something God instills in us, creating this gift that not only allows us to endure life, but enjoy it? Not sure? Jump over to YouTube and search “baby laughs”. Then be prepared to laugh . . . for hours, because baby giggles are. the. best. Don’t believe me? Try it. I dare you. (insert winky-eye emoji here)

As I think about this gift of laughter, another reality begins to settle. If I enjoy laughter and giggles, and Scripture says that I’m made in God’s image (Genesis (9:6), then surely that means God enjoys laughter, too. Doesn’t that mean that maybe, somehow, He laughs? That He might even delight in my laughter? In yours?

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17, NLT

Allow that to settle over your weary or heavy burdened heart for a moment. God delights in you. He loves to see you laugh, and even creates moments to bring laughter to you. Think about a giraffe or a platypus (Jen talked about this last week). Or a rainbow decorating the sky after a storm. Have you ever sat in wonder as giggles erupted within your soul in pure joy of God’s goodness? Of His creativity?

I think that’s why God gave me my husband and his sheer delight in making me laugh. I think God gifted this man to me as a physical reminder of His delight in me. Of redeeming the tears and the sorrow that has filled much of my adult life. Of providing a tiny glimpse of the joy and laughter that awaits me, that awaits us, once we’re in His presence at home.

Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.” Isaiah 62:4, NLT

How has God shown you His humor? When have you experienced the gift of laughter?

Join the conversation, or even share a memory or two by posting below or jumping over to our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!

The Gifts of Joy and Humor in Life

08.08.2017 by Jennifer Howe //

Hi, friend! You came to visit, and I’m so glad you did! This month the FACETS are sharing about God’s sense of humor and joy, so August is peppered with chuckles. Tracy shared last week, and you’ll want to get your eyeballs on that one! You won’t want to miss Kim’s contribution next week. Then one of my dearest friends will share a guest post. You definitely need to read Jenna’s post the fourth week. Please hop into the flow and share your funnies, too!

The platypus. If someone wants to know how I (Jennifer) am absolutely sure God has a sense of humor, I could point to the most distinct critter on the planet. An egg-laying mammal is unusual. This toothless creature has no stomach; he has a gullet like a bird and relies on gravel to eat and digest food. He has a duck bill that can detect electrical fields—that’s a superpower. Retractable webbing allows him to change from web-footed water critter to sharp-clawed land rambler like a Transformer®️. And the best part? Mr. Platypus (and only the mister) is—wait for it!—venomous! God’s creativity incorporating unique characteristics from every part of His mind definitely reveals something of His sense of humor. There’s so much joy for me in platypi.

But God doesn’t stop His fantastic originality with critters. Do you know someone who shows off God’s seed of humor in their lives? I have been big-time blessed with two sons, and that (as some boy moms will agree) is fodder for all kinds of laughs. Though, I admit my laughs often had some delay—minutes, days, or decades. *Grin* Take this example: a few weeks ago my brother-in-law shared snippets of the video from his wedding about ten years ago. One clip was PRICELESS!

Imagine: A roaming videographer is capturing best wishes for the newlyweds. This is so perfect and sweet. The video will be the best reminder of all the friends and family on a very special day. What a precious way to walk Memory Lane together after decades of life together.

Fast forward to the part we saw…

My husband’s happy face stared right into the lens and shared nearly two minutes of encouraging words. I was interested in hearing what he had to say, since I hadn’t heard it the first time around. And then…

The “Hambone.” My preschool-aged son’s face appeared in the lower right corner of the screen behind his daddy. First one side, then the other, and back to the first side, making faces the whole time. (We all laughed at the boy playing for the camera while the very happy, encouraging daddy had no idea.) It was one of those adorable moments captured for all time, and it was hilarious!

Eventually, the adorable boy with neatly spiked hair in a tux lost interest in the camera and moved on. Tony kept encouraging the newlywed couple, but I drifted from the words. I noticed, behind him several feet away, I was having a conversation with a cousin. The conversation paused—

The boy had found an open area on the carpet in the lobby and shifted to his favorite activity: breakdancing. In the middle of the lobby. (Have I mentioned he was wearing a rented tux?) Honestly, he had some impressive moves for a preschooler, including spins. Conversations continued around him—except his mom’s.

I had trouble focusing on his dance moves in the video because the next thing I saw was my ASL non-verbal communication kick in. (I had to laugh.) To my husband’s left on the screen is a spinning dance move. Over my husband’s right shoulder is me, signaling what most people know as “SAFE!” in baseball. Back then, I just hoped my son could remember it meant “Don’t!” I probably I hoped the accompanying look filled in any gaps.

Now all of us were laughing at the video, and I was laughing so hard the tears were flowing!

Friend, I can’t tell you how perfectly-timed my brother-in-law’s video was. Sometimes life can be tiring and just too serious, can’t it? Sometimes we desperately need to laugh, and it’s hard to know where it will come from. Maybe it’s the joy in the platypus. It could be in watching someone enjoy life to the full (breakdancing in a tux and all!). Maybe you begin to laugh at yourself. I know this: we really need to laugh! I’m glad sometimes we have the gift of laughter when we need it.

If you’re a mom of littles, you might enjoy laughs several times a day (little people are funny, after all). But maybe that’s not your life—the littles, the laughs, or the frequency of them. If I could do one thing differently, I think I would search harder for the humor in the everyday. The spray-starched sheltie’s 90-minute bath would have been fun. The two-year-old on the refrigerator would have been funny. The ridiculous tendency to get lost would be hilarious. Stress’ kryptonite is laughter, I think.

When life is challenging and you’re feeling pressed by the stuff of life, it’s time to laugh. Who do you know that can bring you back to your giggles, chuckles, and all-out belly laughs? That’s a good place to start.

God’s gift of humor and joy is precious during the hard times. Where we ultimately want to get to is the place of joy—the upbeat, peacefulness blanketing us when we stand in the messy kitchen or the eye of the hurricane. Can you find humor in some of it? Can you find your joy even if the humor hasn’t arrived yet?

Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. Proverbs 31:25 CSB

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice, let them forever shout for joy! Shelter them; and they will be glad, those who love your name. Psalm 5:11 CJB

How have you seen God’s gift of humor or joy in your life? Take time to thank the friend who gifted it to you when you needed it. Be sure to gift it to others when you can.

Thanks for reading, friend! Would you gift me and the readers with your humor or joy today? Share below or at the Facebook Page.