An Audible Expression of Inward Joy

I really love laughing. I love watching the people I love laugh. When my mother laughs really hard she just shakes uncontrollably in a state close to hyperventilation because she can’t breathe and just when everyone starts to get worried she gets a breath in and wipes the tears that are rolling down her face. When my sister laughs really hard she has been known to snort once or twice which usually sends the rest of us into laughter too. When my husband laughs really hard it makes my day. It doesn’t happen often (although the most common stimulant for Clay’s uncontrollable laughter is Pixar movies) so when it does I revel in the glory that is watching my usually reserved husband give in to uncontrollable giggles.

I made him laugh like that twice last weekend, I consider this a fairly astronomical feat.

I recently became consumed (there is no other word for it, I read 3 books in 4 days) in a book series called The Hunger Games. If you have read it you know what I mean; if you haven’t read it, you are missing out. Last weekend I sat in an armchair in our apartment unable to break away from the story. Clay told me later that at several points he would just watch me reading and marvel at the terrified expression on my face. At the conclusion of book 1 I came over to where he sat at the computer and asked how many dollars we had in the bank and could I please use $15 to go buy the next book. Apparently I had such a desperate sound in my voice and crazed expression as I pleaded my case for why I needed to go get the book right that minute that Mr. couldn’t contain it anymore and started laughing. It was such a wonderful thing to watch. Especially because I knew that he laughed like that because he enjoyed watching me enjoy something so much. After finally catching his breath he said “I haven’t laughed that hard since Tortilla” which sent us both into another fit of giggles. Less than 24 hours later I again set down book 2 and just came and sat on the floor by his chair. Before I could get a word out he started laughing again and said “we have $15 more dollars, go get book 3!” I could still hear him laughing as I nearly ran out the door to do so.

I love that we laugh a lot, I hope we always do. I hope we raise a family that has fun together. I think we will because he’s my best friend. We really just enjoy spending time together and truly find the other person funny. But mostly I think it’s because we know how blessed we really are. Mr says often that good theology shapes the way you live. For example: When you know that you really should “Rejoice in the Lord always” you find more reasons to be joyful. You more naturally respond to the humor and the happiness around you.

Laughter is an audible expression of an inward feeling of joy.  I hope you are joyful today and encounter something beautiful or ridiculous or hilarious enough to make you laugh until your sides hurt.