One of my favorite times of the month is when The Connection has Refresh*, an event that I get to organize and run. However, due to life circumstances, it had been a while since I could actually be there myself. But, wow, I was so happy to be back this past month.
Now, you need to know that I really don’t like to hold the microphone, and I don’t usually like to be up front. But, at this event God takes over. How do I know? Because my nerves are gone, I get to share some wisdom, and we laugh! Laughter! It is so good to the soul. I imagine God looking down on His girls and smiling as He watches us have a good time together – all for His honor and glory.
When was the last time that you laughed? Did you know that if you pretend to giggle it will actually trick your body into thinking you are laughing, which can help you feel better? God intends for us to experience joy, and one expression of that is through laughter. God says there is a time for laughter.
“[There is] a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4
“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” Job 8:21
I have sat in a counseling session feeling like Job. Nothing good was happening. Why God! Oh why? But then, this very skilled and talented counselor got me to laugh.
In the same way, a few friends of mine know how to say just the right thing at the right time. It seems that after a good laugh I can think more clearly. Things don’t seem as intense. And somehow, I am strengthened by this new light that has entered, relieving some of the darkness.
It is so important to be silly sometimes and not take everything so seriously.
I'm that person that if I sit next to the wrong person, I'll get a case of the giggles. Tonight, during a prayer circle, we all got to laughing at something silly, and it felt good and amazing to see a twinkle in our eyes.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones.” Proverbs 17:22
Wow! That verse puts things into perspective. Have you been so down that your bones hurt? You feel like there is a heavy cloak covering you from head to toe, and your bones feel like they would just break. God knew from the beginning that we would feel like this, so He included this wisdom in Proverbs for us. Sometimes it hurts to even think about smiling. But, being intentional about it, as we are with taking medicine, can be just what is needed to keep those bones from drying up.
Put on a funny podcast, watch a silly movie, laugh during prayer with Jesus, or call a friend. These times are hard. I see many people going through so many hard times, keeping all the prayer warriors on their knees. But God. He gives us permission to laugh, and through it He will mend your spirit. Give yourself permission to laugh as well. A case of the giggles is a special gift we get to take part of.
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” Psalm 126:2
*Our Refresh event typically meets on the second Tuesday of the month. The next Refresh is on May 10th at 7:00pm. Hope to see you there and be prepared for a good dose of laughter!
Kellie Maguire
Kellie has been married for 20 years to her husband, Kevin. Together they have three children and she has a step-son (who lives with his mom). They have moved around the country many times and are finally growing their roots in their small town.
Kellie’s faith in God is extremely important to her. She has been through many mountains and valleys and the Lord has gotten her through. She loves to ride her bike, write, watch movies, and is very involved in her children's lives. Being a Mom is her favorite role in life. She values her faith, family, love, and friendships.
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