Laughter In The Aisles

I went to the store this week to purchase a few items.  While walking down one of the aisles I came across a father and his teenage son.  They had taken something from a shelf to look at it.  I didn’t pay attention to what they were looking at, and I didn’t hear their conversation, but something happened to make them both burst into laughter.  The father’s eyes started to water, he was laughing so hard, and his son was bending over holding his sides.  In the distance, another shopper stepped into the aisle and confronted this scene of hilarity.  He, too, began to laugh.  As I watched, I couldn’t hold back either, and joined in the laughter.  Behind me, two women were coming down the aisle, when they, also, observed the laughter of us all and began to chuckle.  Soon, we were all overcome with the infectious laughter.  It was quite a scene.

After some moments, we all regained our composure, murmured words to the effect of how good it is to laugh, and then we all parted ways, still smiling, to continue our own, separate shopping journeys.  I could feel my face smiling as I purchased my item and walked back with it to the car.  I was still smiling as I drove home.  Instinctively I said, “Thank you, Father, for creating laughter.”

I have continued to think upon laughter and God’s creation of it for us.  Did you know that medical studies have been done and it has been scientifically proven that laughing everyday accomplishes the following:  boosts the immune system, reduces the level of stress hormones, aids in heart circulation, exercises the diaphragm, lightens the mood which helps to give clearer perspectives, and causes emotional release which eases tense feelings.  What wonderful, medical benefits for both our physical and emotional well being.

Of course, this is really no surprise.  God’s Word tells us in Proverbs 17:22, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

I also love the verses found in Psalm 139:13-14, “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous — how well I know it.”

It was our wonderful Father who created laughter.  Can’t you imagine how Jesus must have laughed with His disciples?  What teasing must have taken place; what hilarious fishing stories they must have told.  It’s not merely a good thing to laugh — it’s a godly thing to do.  It’s a God-given characteristic.  It helps us through difficult moments.  It adds joy to our days and eases our stress.

I have a friend who tells me that she laughs every day whether something funny happens or not.  She just throws her head back and starts to laugh.  She says she infects herself.  The forced laughter  soon turns to the real thing.  What a hoot!

So, in this age of keeping fit and emotionally balanced — go ahead and use what Father has given you — laugh!  Enjoy!  It’s Father’s happy gift to you.