Thursday, July 29, 2010

Dearest God,

Laughter, the gift of heaven. Is there anything more wonderful than laughter? When my whole person shakes with laughter, so many things begin to happen. First, my whole insides open up allowing the light to shine wherever darkness glares. Second, whatever my soul is hanging onto, a grudge, discontent, or resentment, it experiences a shake up. Third, if I am sorrowing about something, laughter goes right to the wound smoothing it out to start the healing process. Fourth, joy has a chance to enter my bloodstream thereby carrying the wondrous gem to all other parts of my body. Fifth, laughter leads me straight to you. Whether I am hurting, doubting or questioning, laughter pushes me to the door of transformation. You give me the opportunity to reevaluate, surrender or embrace change. Sixth, hilarity in the spirit inspires me to move to gratitude. I realize that heaven has invaded my soul and I just naturally want to give thanks.

When I reflect, considering my life's journey, I am enabled to witness those times when laughter was present. My earliest memories take me back to a tiny town of 500 on a farm in central Indiana. There I observe my father and his twin teasing my loving, devout grandmother or obviously cheating in our family's favorite card game, saying funny things to each other. I can hear laughter erupting in pockets all over the house. I can see even sad or mad faces giving way to smiles and laughter. All throughout my life, laughter has been a force for good. There has been a lot of cackling, giggling, chortling, merrymaking, cracking up, guffawing, teheeing, and har-de-haring in healthy, life-giving ways and when I really think about it, every time you were present leading the way to wholeness, inclusion, health, hope, peace and celebration.

You, O God,
are life's
greatest gift.
You weave yourself
into every part
of our lives.
You provide us
with infinite occasions
where we
can experience change.
When an
angry face
turns to laughter,
I know
its gracious source
and I turn
to find you.
Thank you,
Blessed Savior.

Love, Andrea