Monday, February 4, 2008

Dear God,

Laughter cleanses the soul; there is no doubt about it. When the body erupts in a belly laugh, the cobwebs, collected over time, pull and fall away. A broom sweeps away cluttered feelings of frustration, hurt, disappointment, fear and loneliness. I watch it and also feel the exercise in my own soul.

Last night a few friends came over for pizza, sharing, and a ball game. It was the last twelve minutes of the game when the women left the kitchen table for the living room. The game was tense (or was that just me?). At times one of us would say something silly that would strike a chord of laughter and we would just laugh and laugh. Even through my own laughter I would see the faces of my friends laughing. Worry lines faded, anxious thoughts escaped, fear dissipated. It is an amazing adventure, laughter.

I have always believed that laughter was intended to cleanse the soul of unwanted debris. When I laugh, I can't also hold onto a frown. I'm not able to maintain bitterness, nor hold on to sad thoughts. I can't keep resentment in check. When I laugh all these feelings are jarred and changed, if only for a moment. I figure it's a good thing.

This morning as I write, I smile, thinking back about the evening, our time together, our laughter and joy. And I give thanks to you, author of joy.

I laugh
and laugh again.
I feel God,
I feel you
down deep
in my soul.
Tickling my spirit,
ridding me
of unwanted,
unnecessary debris,
I laugh
with the laughter
of God.
My funny bone
shakes the rest of me
alive.
And I know
your presence.

Love, Andrea