Laughing is Good for the Soul

October 22, 2023
 
Reflections From the Heart of Allan Redenius
 
Where has all the laughter gone?
 
Once upon a time, in high school, a brand-spankin’ new teacher left the room and closed the door behind her.  I couldn’t resist.  I locked the door behind her.  The whole class burst into laughter as she peered through the little square on the painted window of the door.  At the same time she was looking in, she was pounding on the door to be let in.  It was a funny sight to behold.  In all the laughter, indeed I was the class hero.  Well, of course eventually someone unlocked the door.  To this day, I don’t understand how she knew I locked the door.  It was then, I stopped laughing.
 
Comedy is no longer comedy.  Comedians today try to impersonate comedians, but they fail miserably.  Where are the true storytellers, able to whip up a story out of nowhere and make you cry with laughter?
 
Once upon a time, I fancied myself to be a good water skier.  There were times when the boat turned sharply, and I whipped around that boat in a 360 degree fashion.  (He said with a smile on his face.)  One day, while coursing through an obstacle course of fishing boats, two unusual things happened.  First of all, the fishermen must have thought I was a good skier.  They all waved so politely with their hand telling me I was number one. 😊  Then tragedy struck.  The boat turned and as I followed behind, at a blistering speed of 122 miles per hour, I fell.  Like a skip rock, I bounced on top of the water.  All the fishermen cheered at my acrobatic skill, at least I think it was a cheer.  As Armona and the kids brought the boat up close, they too were laughing---until they realized my face was in the water.  “Are you O.K.?” came the question.  With a big gasp of air, I said, “Sure, I was just looking for my swimming trunks.”  At 122 miles per hour, my suit was a casualty.  Fortunately for all, I found it before it sank too deep and put it back on before climbing up into the boat.  
 
Ecclesiastes 3:4 says this.  “A time to cry and a time to laugh.”  Don’t always be so serious!!
 
Choose laughter,
Pastor Allan
 
©2023 Allan Redenius, All Rights Reserved