LAUGH ON

A church sign I passed by recently said ' Laughing, God's Best Gift'. That statement is more true than we realize. Scripture even says " a merry heart does good like medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). When you smile you feel better and you bring joy to people around you. Try this experiment. While shopping and passing many frowning faces, which is pretty typical, make it your goal to make people smile. Just walk around and smile and maybe even say hi. Some people will wonder what you are up to. 

I just can never understand why there are so many gloomy looks out there. Your smile may change someones whole entire day. You can even smile with your eyes. Just have a good attitude and the smile should follow.

When I was a reservations agent for a major airline no customers could see me because they called our toll free number and got customer service. We were taught to 'smile' with our voice. I loved doing that. You can tell when you get an agent at a call center who is not happy to be there because their voice and attitude giveaway their gloomy heart. There may be real issues promoting sadness but if not then it is time for a smile makeover.

Go one step further and brighten someones day with a funny greeting card for no reason. A friend of mine recovering from cancer was appreciative of the humorous line of cards Hallmark has for cancer patients because she said it made her smile. Laughter is the best medicine.Flowery somber cards are fine but sometimes we need a real belly laugh.

Following God's word is the road to true happiness.John 13:17 says 'if we know these things' meaning the things in the Bible "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them". In the Bible it even talks about being a 'hilarious' giver when referring to tithing.(See 2 Corinthians 9:7) How many of us are truly happy when giving our money away? We need to be able to smile when we are able to bless others and smile because of being thankful for the bounty of God we have to share with others.1 Timothy 6:6 says "Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment."

Here is a good clean church joke to get your day started. "One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle.   
      Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.     
      Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

There you have it. Hope that made you chuckle. Laughing is good. Doctors will tell you it is good for healing. There are even laughter classes in some hospitals.I actually googled that subject and came up with all sorts of stuff.

You can choose to be happy and if someone in your day is trying to steal your joy do not respond ugly but pray for them and keep smiling. God loves you and he loves a merry heart.

PRAYER: This is the day you have made Lord and I will rejoice and be glad in it. The joy of the Lord is my strength. I want to be joyful. Help me spread your joy and laughter to those I come in contact with today. In Jesus Name. Amen.