I have learned the importance of laughter.
Last night, a couple in our life group and I stood outside and listened to Scott tell a story about a situation that recently happened in his family. Scott and his wife have four young children. They are a family that I really enjoy being around. One of the best qualities of this family is their laughter. So, last night Scott was telling us about a situation that he mishandled recently with his children. He was telling this story "on himself." It was very funny.
I love being around people who will laugh at themselves. People who tell funny stories about themselves have a way of putting everyone else at ease. No one is being teased or made fun of or belittled. Rather, the person telling the story person simply laughs at herself. Some people have grown up in homes where laughter was used as a tool to humiliate. That is not the kind of laughter I am talking about. Such laughter is only a cheap shot which ultimately hurts.
Laughter is so important. It has a way of releasing something in us that just feels good. It has a way of refreshing the human spirit like a spring rain.
So much of life can be tense, serious, and even grave. Often, as a minister, I hear about behaviors that evoke anger, sadness, and discouragement. People often find themselves in situations that are heartbreaking and even life-threatening. I regularly find myself engaged emotionally with people whose lives seem to be falling apart. Granted, ministers by no means are the only people who deal with these kinds of issues.
Nevertheless, I do think it is important to also be attentive to situations or people who evoke smiles and even laughter. Perhaps you have a favorite television show. (Most of the time, Barney Fife can bring a smile to my face or even laughter.) Perhaps you enjoy reading or telling stories that are funny. Perhaps you have a friend who often causes you to laugh.
On occasions, I have asked myself, "What is my general disposition when I am home? Am I grumpy? Dour? Fussy? How does my disposition contribute to the atmosphere of our home?"
Am I giving my children memories of a home filled with smiles and laughter? Or, will they remember that I generally seemed to be in a foul mood?
Does your wife or husband look forward to coming home? When you come home, what do you contribute to the atmosphere? Do your spouse and children look forward to your coming home?
Laughter really is important. Laughter blesses. Laughter can have a strong impact upon the environment of our homes.
Jim,
How about the impact of laughter in church? I am constantly amazed at the sullen, grim faces of the "frozen chosen". It is ironic that we preach and sing about the gospel story which literally means "good news" and yet most people in worship look as if they have just been told a sad story. I am not advocating being disrespectful, I just wish our churches (meaning people) did not create an environment that look down on the expression of joy that should be present in worship. I have heard people complain about a pastor who told a funny story to illustrate his sermon. He was accused of trying to draw attention to himself when in reality he probably got the attention of someone who otherwise might have ignored the sermon. As my worship leader said recently, "If we are going to sing about the joy, joy , joy, joy down in my heart, don’t you think you should tell your face?"
Simply put, I love to laugh! it relieves stress and it is natural medicine for the soul. real laughter comes from happy and fulfilled spiritual lives i think. no wonder the beattitudes begin with the word happy; Paul tells us to rejoice… knowing that i am only passing through this sod , my savior died for me and that all these earthly problems will soon be no more…. i choose to laugh and be happy and i encourage others to do the same.
Yes, Jim. It is fun to be around those who have a good gift of laughing and humor. I’ve noticed that it can become contagious. We need to be able to laugh at ourselves, and at life in some ways, because, after all, our god is God and we’re his children.
But yes, laughter is good and more of the right kind is needed.
I agree with Bryan – a great stress reliever and the dose of medicine often needed for the serious business of church leadership.
This makes me think of a speech that James Cail gave years ago at the Preachers-Elders-Deacons dinner hosted by Abilene Christian University when the Lectures were in February! After one of the most hilarious speeches I have ever heard, in a moment of real seriousness he stated that we must learn to laugh at ourselves in this serious business.
If I can find my tape, I’ll send you a copy.
Chris
Bryan,I love your first line, "I love to laugh." I suspect that you are a real joy to work with and be around. Thanks.