Do you ever take yourself too seriously? Or....do you find that you are often TOO serious?

I live in a home of "jokesters." My husband will often playfully "tease me," especially when I am taking myself seriously. When my 13 year old son was a toddler, he would often have us rolling on the floor with his antics. He has grown into a sense of humor much like his dad's and sometimes I can appreciate how the families of Robin Williams or Jim Carey must feel! Not to be outdone, our other children are just plain silly at times. Our home can be noisy, but there is usually laughter.

What a sweet sound laughter is!

A cheerful heart is good medicine.... Proverbs 17:22

The average American child laughs 200 times per day, while adults only laugh about 15 times.

Doctors tell us that laughter is healthy for us. When we laugh, oxygen flows into all of the cells in our bodies, giving us energy, lowering our blood pressure, reducing pain levels, and even helping our cholesterol.

Sometimes, I need to remind myself to laugh. I can become too caught up in the goals of the day, the chores to be done, and the activities of the day. And, if the laughing activity will make a mess.....

But, when I ponder my "vision" for my family, I want my children to grow up saying, "Our home was filled with joy and laughter." My desire is that we share a genuine JOY and happiness. As Christians, knowing who we are in Christ, what we have, and our glorious inheritance to come, we have every reason to be living joyfully!

Some things I have learned to do:

• Stop doing my "work" and PLAY with the kids. Join their game, be silly with them.


• "Lighten up." I don't need to be so serious or take myself so seriously.


• Don't worry so much about messes. Sand can be swept up. Rooms can be tidied.


• Remember that that life is not a "dress rehearsal." Enjoy every moment of every day.


• Remind myself that this season of life will go by too quickly, so I want to savor it!

One of the best memories the kids have is a dinner that ended up in a "food fight!" Yes, a genuine, all out, food everywhere, you have to scrub the floor food fight. It was our Christmas dinner and (can you believe this?) Mom started it by "smashing" the leftover Jesus Birthday cake in my tweenager's face. He loved it! Pretty soon, everyone was globbing frosting on everyone (except Dad who was videotaping!). We had a ball. We needed showers and the kitchen needed a scrubbing, but it is a memory we will all have- and video footage for America's Funniest Videos if we ever decide to send it!

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart...Proverbs 15:30

Finally, as the mom, I set the tone of the home. You know the saying, "If Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." Honestly, sometimes I can be irritated and annoyed by some of my kids' "jokes." But, I have to remember to give them the grace to be who God has created them to be. AND I have to remember that they are KIDS. So, as the mom, I am looking for the humor and the joy in everyday living. I am laughing "roll on the floor" belly laughs. And, I am encouraging laughter in our home.


Father God, help me to enjoy life and all of the blessings You have given me. Your Word says that laughter is good medicine. Help me to find the joy in everyday living, laughing at myself and life. Help me to encourage my family to have fun and show me how to set the tone of laughter and happiness in our home. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

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