Laughter

60 Day Photo Story ~ 8/60

The Photo Story continues...

DAY EIGHT: a picture that makes me laugh

They say laughter is the best medicine. I've had my share of days that I felt down in the dumps... not necessarily because something bad happened that ruined my day... just a blah feeling. It's times like that when my kids always seem to come through for me.

I'm probably guilty of not submitting to that joy enough. Our kiddos are definitely full of it at times, and with life's have-to's, I catch myself wrapped up in what needs to be done verses what could be done. The "stuff" will always be there no matter how diligently you tackle your day, but the moments... the possible memories... time laughing and enjoying loved ones... they are priceless chances we are not promised tomorrow, and we should enjoy them now while we can.

In general we're a silly family. We all are pretty good with our sense of humor and the sarcasm runs fluidly in our household. But sometimes I think too many hold back from truly enjoying those moments when they're really needed most!

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

You see, even the Lord specifies there is a time for EVERYTHING. How often do we allow ourselves to get caught up in certain aspects of that passage and forget the counter parts that even it all out.

It's no wonder our society is falling apart! There's such focus on doing, going and accomplishing; getting even, being depressed, and fighting our way... that we lose our moments of joy, laughter, dancing, loving and embracing one another. How much are we cheating ourselves out of the happiness the Lord wants us to enjoy by skipping through available chances to enjoy what He's given us... whether it be people, children, things, space, or talents!

The pictures I've shared within this post make me laugh. They remind me of a particular day that was very chaotic with so much to do, and we allowed ourselves to escape from the moment. It was a very random, very simple moment, but we laughed and laughed over it.

One of the kids had left Mike's laptop on, and the webcam was running. Before we knew it, four of us were perched in front of the webcam using the silly features on it to distort ourselves, and we snapped away with the pictures. Over an hour later when things wound down, we were still wiping away tears of laughter. Amazingly, the kids didn't bicker or gripe the rest of the day, and we all went back to the tasks we needed to get done... together... as a family. Just an hour of joy in the middle of the day changed the outlook for everyone on a day that likely was dreaded because of the work we had to get done that day.

Productivity isn't always about quantity, we have to remember quality. Quality time can include joy and laughter while still accomplishing what you set out to complete. I challenge you to let your hair down among the stresses and have-to's... and LAUGH!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
(Proverbs 17:22)