Have You Laughed Today?

Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.Job 8:21

Samantha, our then 4-year-old niece, was getting restless after a long afternoon of shopping and playtime.  She asked if we could leave the local restaurant – you’re correct if you assumed it wasn’t the fast food joint with the “big arches” and the playground area.

 I told her we would leave just as soon as we paid ‘Mrs. Betty’. She queried enthusiastically, "We get to pay and take her home!? Let’s buy him too!” (Referencing the young kid at the next table). My husband and I burst out laughing. Samantha was quite perplexed until I explained to her that it was the food we needed to pay for – not Mrs. Betty. We enjoyed a hearty chuckle from the sweet innocence though. How sweet it was that she thought the solution for a good playmate was to buy him from the next table.  

Wouldn’t life be greatly changed if we looked at certain Christian duties in that way:  ‘getting’ to pay our tithes? Or ‘getting’ to go visit someone at the hospital. ‘Getting’ to go to church during the middle of the work-week? Getting to read God’s Word today?

 How about ‘getting’ to take the high road after a tough situation? Now that one is a bit tougher some days isn’t it?!

The simple truth is, most days most of us have countless opportunities to “get to” do something for the Lord. The questions are:  #1 – Do we recognize those times?          #2 Do we obey?

It’s important to do a few key things each day. I have outlined them below.

PRAY – because it’s important to both you And God – pray daily.

LAUGH – because the Bible says laughter is like good medicine. Plus, it helps us cope with stress! Nobody wants to be around a sourpuss – especially a Christian one!

OBEY – a defiant spirit accomplishes nothing for God

RECOGNIZE – God presents multiple opportunities every day to tell others about Him. Opportunities to be a living witness. Opportunities to grow. Opportunities to shine in His light!

Have you laughed today? Have you consistently greeted others with a smile in your voice as well as on your face?

Look UP my friends!