Does God Laugh?

My guest, Danie Marie incites a good discussion starter: Do we think of God as having a sense of humor?



Photo by Danie Marie, taken in Colorado

Sounds like a silly question, doesn't it. But think about it. From the earliest pictures depicting Jesus, artists painted Him with a somber countenance. Some view God as an angry Judge, because they compare Him to their earthly father. 

And for those of us who are older, we had nothing more to draw from, so we imagined Jesus always being solemn as he spoke to the multitudes or taught in the synagogues. If you were looking for a new church, would you join if the preacher never smiled or made you laugh? 

And what about the children who flocked to Jesus?  

Have you ever received a child into your arms and not been joyful? 

Thankfully some modern day artists paint Jesus laughing or smiling. The first time I saw such a likeness of my Savior, a thrill rushed through me as I stood on the sidewalk outside an art studio staring at the painting through a plate glass window. Yes, I thought, that's my Jesus. He who gives me joy, is joyful! 

The Bible, especially the Old Testament and Psalm, has much to say about dancing and rejoicing. Remember the story of David as he brought the ark of the covenant from Obed-Edom back to the City of David, how he danced with great abandon before the Lord? Do you think God looked down on him with solemnity?  

No. Just as David brought God joy, we to are capable of bringing Him joy. It's the same as seeing our children happy, makes us smile. 

Our Creator is the one who made our mouth, our voice. The one who created laughter. When was the last time you laughed in joyful abandon? Don't stifle that which God loves. Know that He smiles down on you when you experience His joy.  

I long to hear our Savior laugh with all His children finally gathered round Him. What a glorious day that will be. 

Luke 6:21, "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." (NIV) 

Lord of laughter, we give you thanks for the joy that You alone can truly give. Bless my friends who are hurting today, and give them a spirit of laughter to ease their pain, in Jesus name. Amen.

 

Love and blessings,

             Danie Marie

 

Danie Marie's passion is to make Christ known through her writing and speaking. Evangelistic by nature, she's had the privilege of leading several to the Lord, including on airplanes. She has mentored women and teens throughout her life, sung in choirs and on worship teams, as well as led and written Bible studies.

After working five years to birth her novel, Kellen's Hope, it's now available as an e-book through Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo, and other sites through Smashwords, as well as Kindle. Two novellas previously written, will follow as soon as she spruces them up.

You can find her blog at: www.DanieMarie'sMusings.blogspot.com
and her speaking website: www.speaking–hope–healing.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanieMarie.Author

Thank you Jeanne, for giving me the opportunity to share with your readers.

Thank you Danie Marie for this--so, readers, what do you think? Share a time when you have seen God's sense of humor and joy. And take time to enjoy the funny things in life.

Our Featured Resource:

Homeless but not Hopeless

Our guest blogger this week is Sue Badeau. She and her husband, Hector are passionate about their kids. Their book, Are We There Yet?: The Ultimate Road Trip Adopting and Raising 22 Kids, releases this week. I know you will be blessed by her story. For a chance to win a copy of her book, be sure to leave a comment for Sue.

Homeless but not Hopeless
Sue Badeau

“Do not let your hearts by troubled . . . *“ 

Emerging into adulthood presents extra hurdles for youth who grew up in foster care.  While many amaze us with their resilience in the face of incomprehensible odds, far too many fall dramatically behind their peers.  Research provides staggering numbers to confirm the bleak facts but the statistics belie the real story – behind each number is a real person with a beating heart, thirsty soul and deep scars from multiple early life traumas. 

 

I speak often about these sobering facts, but it is hard to reveal that one these “statistics” is my son.  After starting life in foster care, he joined our family through adoption, bringing heavy baggage and countless scars.  Our love, commitment, nurturing and relentless prayers weren’t enough.  As a result of risky decisions and poor choices, he can’t safely live in our home, nor successfully support himself  - so he lives on the streets. 

This breaks my heart.  I cry out to God in anguished prayers on his behalf alternating between grief and anger – anger at those who hurt him when he was small and helpless, anger at him, now, as a young adult, for continuing to make poor choices, anger at myself, anger at God  . . . 

While lost in these thoughts, I notice a recent photo, when my son was here, at home.  We’re hugging. He’s smiling.  He’s not “homeless,” I realize.  He’s “houseless.”  He cannot live in this house, but he still knows it is home.  It – and we - are always here for him.  He can come by for a hug, a smile, a cold drink of water, a word of comfort at times, or admonishment at others.  He has the hope of home . . . . as he wrestles his demons, he has the hope of a home that will always be available and this provides an anchor for him in life’s storms. 

And I’m reminded that his situation is not much different than mine.  I have a home, a heavenly home, where I cannot live at this time.  I can hope for it, long for it, catch glimpses of it from time to time, but as a result of sin – I cannot live there . . . yet.   I can “drop by” for a hug, or drink of cool water from my Father, but for now, I must remain on the streets of this earthly realm.  I know it breaks His heart when I turn away from Him, returning to the streets, just as it breaks my heart when my son returns to the mean streets of Philadelphia. 

And yet, I know I am not homeless.  My home is promised, prepared for me and my room is paid for! My Father is waiting with love and longing to welcome me home.   What a magnificent hope!  I pray that this hope – of an eternal home, where noone is turned away – will truly penetrate my heart, my son’s, and each person in a condition of “houselessness” here on earth.

 

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places . . . . I go and prepare a place for you . . . I will come again and receive you that where I am there you may be also.” (*excerpts from John 14:1-4, NASB)

Be sure to leave your comment for a chance to win a copy of her new book. Winner will be drawn on Saturday,  September 7, 2013. You can find out more about the Badeau family on their website. You can contact Sue to speak at your event, www.suebadeau.com

Our Featured Resource: Order a copy of Sue and Hector's book from Amazon: