LIGHTER THOUGHTS

Genesis 20:1-22:24; Matthew 7:15-29; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 2:16-22

“I will thank you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of the marvelous things you have done.  I will be filled with joy because of you.  I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.”

“Sarah declared, ‘God has brought me laughter!’  …Abraham named the place ‘The Lord Will Provide.’”

Gratitude is one of the finest fruits a human can produce.  Laughter may be a close second.  The two frequently are found together.  And I could do with more of both.

Someone once observed that angels fly because they take themselves so lightly.  Makes sense; I feel most burdened when focused on me.  When I focus on Christ and His amazing Gift, joy increases.  Sometimes, burdens lift completely, but even when they don’t, somehow, they still seem lighter, and easier to bear.

So, here’s what I know.  First, I should at all times have a deep, conscious gratitude that God even bothers with me.  I should be blown away when He blesses me!  Second, God must have a terrific sense of humor, to have stuck with me for so long.  I bet a very real key to God’s compassion and persistence is a large measure of humor.  God never laughs mockingly, but no doubt, He laughs with us in joy, and longs to do it more often.  Odds are, when we get to heaven, we will quickly learn laughter is far more common than judgment.

Life could be easier if I laughed more, especially at myself.  And I would laugh more, if I will remember failure isn’t fatal.  Hey, it can be a great way to get in touch with the lighter side of heaven!  So, there really isn’t any reason not to start “lightening up” today.