“When was your last belly laugh?”

Hello, my friend, and welcome again to a random day with A Miracle Every Day.

I'm sitting in a coffee shop right now working on these devotional texts, and in the corner of the restaurant is a small family. This is what I've noticed about them: They have been laughing for the last 20 minutes! Their youngest son, who appears to be about five years old, got the giggles about something his father said, and none of them have been able to control themselves. 

The amazing thing is that their joy has spread throughout the coffee shop, and now lots of people are laughing with the family. 

I believe that laughter is something that we have lost in our world today, but the Bible continually talks about joy and laughter as an expression through which all of God's people can give God praise.

Psalm 126:2 says, “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.'” (Psalm 126:2, NLT) 

Proverbs 15:13 says, “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:13, NLT)

Proverbs 15:15 says, “For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.” (Proverbs 15:15, NLT)  

And one of my favorite scriptures, Proverbs 17:22, says, “A cheerful heart is like good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.” (Proverbs 17:22, NLT)

I think we could all use a new and fresh dose of laughter. When was the last time you laughed until your sides hurt? When was the last time you laughed with a good friend and it changed the way you looked at an entire day? 

I realize that I can often be very, very serious. After all, I have serious matters to consider, serious messages to prepare, and I have to spend time taking myself so seriously. 😊 I hope you hear the sarcasm!!

I know for a fact that my life would be a whole lot lighter if I could simply learn to laugh and tap into the profound JOY of Jesus!

The family in the corner was getting ready to leave, and their son walked over to me because I had been laughing along with them. He asked me a question: “What did the zero say to the eight?” I said, “I have no idea.” His answer: “You have a really nice belt.”

I hope that you'll smile, even though that's a really bad dad joke! But also embrace that laughter is a gift from God and He wants you to embrace it with passion and JOY!

Ecclesiastes 3:4 says there’s “a time to cry and a time to laugh.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4, NLT) 

I hope you will enjoy the miracle of laughter today, knowing that God has placed that joy in your heart and that it can be shared with others.

Never forget, my friend, you are a miracle.