I love comedy. I love funny. With all my heart, I love hearing laughter. As a parent, I decided I wanted to try to make my kids laugh at least once a day. It has been the best decision I ever made. At least once a day, before their heads hit their pillows for the night, I set a goal to make them laugh. It changes my whole perspective on my day and theirs too. Some parents are good at cooking, crafts, organized schedules, or being supermom. I do silly. That is all I got. If you get the chance, go for it. Make your kids laugh every day. Be the nerd, be goofy, and be weird.
Funny Face
It’s great to interject some comedy in everyday life. I send my husband carefully chosen memes on the regular. #relationshipgoals. Once, when we were dating, we decided to cook chili together. I was chopping onions and he was supposed to be putting the chilis in the blender. My boyfriend (now husband), tossed the chilis in the trashcan and the trash in the blender. It was just stupid, but we got a good laugh. Most of our cooking adventures end up with a similar fate, unfortunately.
Maybe you can relate. Being able to have a sense of humor about life has brought us through difficult times. When everything is falling apart, all you can do is laugh. Some of the funniest comedians have had some very challenging life experiences. One of our favorite funny celebrity figures is Shaquille O’Neal. Most sports commentators are a bore but Shaq is hysterical. Shaq is the one celebrity that we would both love to meet someday. He and Charles Barkley have some divisive history but they seem to genuinely have a great time.
Laughter has some serious health benefits. Scientists have concluded that laughing can increase life expectancy. Laughter is said to increase circulation to your heart and lungs. It is supposed to release endorphins in your brain which make you feel better. Laughter helps you sleep better. It also improves your mood and lower instances of depression. Laughing reduces stress and relieves tension. There are many reasons to laugh that correlate with health benefits.
Did you know that the bible even talks about laughter?
In Proverbs, it talks about a very special woman. She had many amazing qualities and one of them seems to be a sense of humor. Proverbs 31:25 says “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.”
Proverbs 17:22 says “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”Considering all the health benefits, the bible was way ahead of the modern medicine.
When things go awry, some people say that God has a sense of humor. It is at least something fun to ponder on. What kind of personality did Jesus have? It’s hard to discern the nuance of humor through a translated text. Knowing we are created in God’s image, I think Jesus would laugh too. Other verses in the bible seem to agree. In the Psalms, it even talks about God laughing. It’s not in a type of humorous laughter (it sounds more like scoffing) but it’s laughter nonetheless. Here’s a few verses to ponder on.
Psalm 2:4
“He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.”
Luke 6:21
“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Tell us what you think? What is your favorite comedy? Do you think Jesus would laugh with his disciples?