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!
