Choose Joy

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11 ESV  

I have a laugh. Perhaps a laugh-and-a-half.

I’ve been blessed with a contagious laugh that seizes attention, turns heads and transforms faces.

My laugh is a gift, to others and to me. I don’t apologize for it. It is just so…well…me.

Have I been shushed? Countless times since my laugh does not have a volume control and the mute button is permanently broken. 

While in college, I worked at a grocery store. As a coworker and I stocked shelves, we overheard a customer say, “It sounds like someone is laying eggs in the next aisle.” Of course they were referring to me and my laughter. And that comment took it to a new level. I suspect they could then hear me throughout the store. (Really? I sounded like a chicken laying an egg? Hmm.)

Have people been embarrassed by my laugh? Yes. Sad but true.

When I asked my husband if my laugh embarrasses him, he smiled and said “No, I am proud of you and your laugh.” Love my man!

I will never forget a banquet I attended at a lovely, famous restaurant in Kansas City, Missouri. (Do you think I can remember the name of it now? Of course not!). When our speaker came to the microphone, the first words out of his mouth were, “I don’t know about the rest of you but I wish I was at that table.” All heads turned to the table where I sat with seven others. Had we laughed? Oh my, yes! Loudly. With Abandon. (The events at that table were hilarious. Perhaps I will share them with all of you one day.)

I was touched when a pastor told me he needed a recording of my laugh. Apparently my laugh floated down the hall causing his assistant to laugh which in turn made him laugh. Yep. I was responsible for creating laugh chains - even with the office door shut. He wanted the laughter to continue even as I was moving on to something new. Sweet!

We laugh a lot at our house. Chuckles. Belly laughs. Guffaws. Snorts. You name the laugh, our lives are generously sprinkled with each and every one.

Joy ministers to others. During my five day hospital stay this past June, nurses told us they loved coming to my room. They told us it was peaceful and joyful. Prayer and joy had changed the atmosphere. Oddly and quite wonderfully, my sense of humor remains intact even when I am in pain or terribly sick. Larry could tell you stories.

One of the prayers of my heart is for the return of laughter to my parents’ home. My father’s health limits him from doing most of the things that gave his life purpose and joy. It breaks my heart. Phone conversations with my mother include plenty of laughter. She needs it but oh how I wish I lived closer.

Perhaps I need to pursue making a laughing tool. A laugh would be produced by turning it over. I had something like it that sounded like a calf…which always made me laugh!

If laughter is lacking in your life or your home, I encourage you to choose joy. Surround yourself with music that brings joy and people who make you laugh. Seek out and display joyful scriptures. Spend time in the presence of the Lord.

Joy is not dependent on circumstances. It is a state of being, a confidence and peace that accompany knowing the One who loves you with an everlasting love. It comes with resting in His presence and trusting Him fully.

As you rise each morning, I encourage you to choose joy (Psalm 30:5).

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy. Psalm 92:4 ESV