A Time To Laugh!
Laughter, for God and for us, is a nonverbal form of communication. According to Psychology Today’s summary, laughter is “one of the distinguishing features of human beings” and may be “the most contagious of all emotional experiences” — yet “little is known about the mechanisms behind it.” But what is clear — apart from the practical health benefits of releasing tension, lowering anxiety, boosting the immune system, and aiding circulation — is that laughter is “a highly sophisticated social signaling system.” Laughter is social. It’s an effort, however consciously, to communicate to others.
I have had a particularly tough week but when I met in my prayer triplet, I heard about Aunty Shirley’s fish and their transportation to a new home. I laughed. I laughed out loud. I was reminded of how good it felt especially when it is tough, but I needed the support of others to help me experience this and my friends laughed along with me. I share with you today Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and hope it helps you. You will see the verse that jumped off the page for me. Claire
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.