Laughter

I was desperate!

Christmas was on it's way and our family was going through the deepest valley of hurt we had ever known. 

We needed a reason to laugh.

It would be Ashli's (our daughter) first Christmas away from home. 

Our oldest son Josh would be spending the holidays in the hospital. 

We were still grieving the break up of his marriage. His ex-wife, who had been such a special part of our family, would not be joining us either.
It was going to be a hard Christmas. 

Where could I find something to laugh about? 

I was on the look for it.

Surely there was something.

Finally, it came to me. I found some hilarious greeting cards in a little country store that I thought might just do the trick. I purchased a healthy pile of the funniest ones. Right after Christmas dinner I brought them out and handed a card to each one sitting at our dining room table. I gave strict orders for no one to look at their card until it was their turn to share. 

Before we started this little game, I read a scripture to my family that I had found just that morning, a scripture of hope and promise. I told my family that I believed the word was for us and challenged them to grab hold of it and believe it with me.

Then we let the fun begin. Each one had a turn to read and display the hilarious picture on the front of the card in their care. It was fun and funny! It stirred laughter, while ushering in happy conversation and thought to our celebration that day. Heaviness took flight and happiness settled in beside us, if only for a little while. 

Please let me know if the holiday has merry mixed with sorrow for you this year. I will pray that you will find a creative way to stir some laughter in your home as you celebrate.