Saturday, February 20, 2010

A cheerful heart

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Laughter is good medicine - how many times have we heard this - and then ignored the advice that is given through King Solomon?  There is nothing I enjoy more than hearing the sound of my children's laughter - I rejoice deep in my soul as I hear true genuine laughter.  From the time they were little and would giggle with a deep belly laugh to the age they are now, and have been known to spew liquid from their mouths that could not contain the enjoyment, this has given me great joy.

I have been challenged, in the last few months to not pick and choose those parts of verses that I enjoy but, to read and understand in context. Originally, I thought that this blog would be a reflection on Laughter, as the best drug, from a more medical point of view but upon reading of this verse in context it is the 2nd half that stirred my soul.  "A crushed spirit dries up the bones", ugh my heart is heavy and a sinking feeling begins.

How often as a mother have I crushed the spirit of my children, how often have I caused them to dry up, how many times have I sucked the laughter from their souls? 
What began as a light hearted reflection of laughter, brought me to my knees as I seek forgiveness for not restraining my selfishness, anger and lack of patience.  

As I studied "crushed spirit", that term is also translated as downcast, driven by guilt and shame. And again my soul was sorrowful.  

After the sorrow, my heart is lightened by the fact that there is a great healer, Jesus Christ.  That no matter what we have done, or what life has put in our path, Jesus can heal.  He can heal the relationships I have cast down; he can heal the hurt caused by my inadequacies as I struggle to be a wife, mother, and friend.  

I am rejuvenated with the fact that I can stand in the face of difficult circumstances and belly laugh, knowing that any wrong I have done can be healed and we can laugh together as a family and as friends.

Laughter, a merry heart, is good medicine - and comes as I strive to not crush the spirit of those around me. I delight in knowing that I will not be perfect and Jesus the healer will fill my heart will joy and laughter.  

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from…the Father.” James 1:17

1 comment:

  1. It's funny, just yesterday, Evie Kate was playing with a firetruck that was really loud. At first, Josh looked at her and said "Evie Kate...can you PLEASE...enjoy playing with the loud firetruck, because you should..." I was so proud of him, because what we both wanted to say was "can you PLEASE play with that firetruck quietly, as to not interrupt our lives...even though we prayed so hard for you - yet our idea of having kids was so much different than the reality!"

    We have both been working on our "tolerance" in allowing our children to be that...children.

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