When’s the last time you and your spouse just had a good ol’ belly laugh? Perhaps you even cried you laughed so hard!
With all the stuff that we have come through in 2020 and continue to do so, laughter is hard to find.
I remember as a boy sitting around the supper table after church on Sunday night hearing preachers, missionaries, church members, etc., telling jokes and stories which were accompanied with many moments of boisterous laughter! Nowadays you tell a joke and somebody’s gonna get offended.
I’m not discounting the seriousness of COVID, but with the masks and the accompanying fear, few people are having a good time, laughing, smiling, and enjoying life.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. (Proverbs 15:13)
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:4)
So, with that said, have you and your spouse been laughing lately? You know, it might be that your marriage is drying up (Prov. 17:22) because you have forgotten how to have fun; you’ve been too serious; you’ve just let 2020 get you in the heart!
Well, let’s fix that!
- What did you do when you were dating that you might consider to be silly now? How ’bout rolling back the clock and do it again! Only you can decide what that is.
- Watch a funny, wholesome movie or an episode of the Andy Griffith Show or the Tim Conway dentist routine on YouTube.
- Pour water on your spouse while they are in the shower. Just be ready for the payback.
- Go on a light-hearted date and stop by a card rack at a card shop or grocery store and read funny cards to each other!
- Head on over to the ice cream store, local bakery, or restaurant. Each of you inconspicuously, of course, point out a couple nearby and make up a story about them by what you see. Have fun with it . . . just between the two of you. By the way, folks over the years have probably said some things about you! 🙂
One of the reasons I have loved the preaching of Chuck Swindoll over the years is his infectious laughter. In his book, Laugh Again, Hope Again, he says, Isn’t God the one who urges us to “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord”? Why do we always think that means singing? Seems to me the most obvious joyful sound on earth is laughter… I’ve seen folks quote verses like “Rejoice in the Lord always” while their faces look like they just buried a rich uncle who willed everything to his pregnant guinea pig. Something is missing. Can’t you just hear him laughing?!?!
So, this week as we head into Valentine’s Day, how about taking a cue from Ken Davis’ radio program and “Lighten’ Up!” Have at it! It’s time! I’m sure your marriage could use a good dose of laughter meds!
Simply from a pastor’s heart!
From A Pastor's Heart 