Gifts of Laughter

Gifts of Laughter

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do
good while they live. Eccl 3:12

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Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything 1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. 13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. 14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

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Brad has Downs Syndrome. When Brad was about 16, he was playing handball
with his father at the YMCA. Christmas was approaching and this might be their
last time together like this for a few weeks.

While showering, Brad turned to his dad with a puzzled face.
“Dad,” asked Brad, “what is a virgin?”

Brad’s father believed that his son was worthy of his respect and love. He tried to
let Brad live his life as fully as he could. This was Christmastime and so the story
of the birth of Jesus was on everyone’s mind. Jesus’ mother, Mary, was a virgin.
Therefore, in the minutes that remained in the shower room, Brad’s Dad entered
into a short discourse on virginity and the other related items that needed clearing
up. Brad listened with earnestness and did not interrupt. To say that his Dad was a
little uncomfortable would be an understatement.

When his Dad had finished, Brad looked confused and said,
“I mean like the King James Virgin.”

I guess we would all do well to ensure that we hear what people are trying to
communicate. When we don’t, some of the strangest things can occur. Even when
we do hear correctly, there are opportunities for things to go in strange directions.

There seemed to be a time in church history when followers of Jesus were expected
to weigh every word and to avoid frivolity. Enjoying the funny things in life must
have involved great control, as I am sure the funny things still happened,
but they couldn’t be enjoyed.

God has given us so much. Our sense of humour is surely one of His most
wonderful blessings. Let’s enjoy laughter and thank God for the comic relief
that lowers the blood pressure and refreshes life.

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy You give us. I love to hear the laughter that
sometimes ripples through the office and around the dinner table at the end of the
day. It is such a relief to acknowledge the funny side of life, especially when the
challenges begin to surround us. As You are our Creator and as You made us in
Your image, would it be disrespectful of me, if I thought You had the best sense
of humour going? I am sure that the funny side of life was intended for
our pleasure. Thank You. Amen.

- Noel Churchman

Noel was the Executive Director of Christian Horizons form 1976 to 2001. The devotionals we will be using are from a book he wrote in 2005 called “Walking with God”. Noel’s reflections are grounded in his experiences as an educator, and provider of supports for individuals with exceptional needs as well as his life as a dedicated follower of Christ.