Take Time to Laugh

July 25

A time to laugh …

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Lindsay walked through the front door and did a double take. Jack never leaves

the house looking like this, she thought; there were dirty dishes on the kitchen

counter, the stove, and in the sink. Two comforters lay haphazardly on the liv-

ing room carpet, and dirty clothes littered the laundry room floor. She’d only

been gone for one day! This was completely uncharacteristic of Jack. He’s got

some explaining to do, she thought.

Setting aside her briefcase and hanging her coat on the wall peg, she set

out to find her husband.

As she headed down the hall toward the toy room, she caught muffled

laughter. Curious, she silently made her way to the room and stood outside

the closed door, listening. Beth! She smiled as she recognized her youngest

daughter’s squeal.

“Stop, Daddy! Quit tickling me!” Then Jenny’s laugh joined the mix, fol-

lowed by Jack’s gruff voice. “The tickling continues until you both surrender!”

“We surrender! We surrender!” they said in unison.

As Lindsay listened, her heart began to melt. It thawed completely when

Jenny said, “Thanks for playing with us today, Daddy! This has been the bestest

day ever!” “Yeah, Daddy, the bestest!” Beth agreed.

All the irritation vanished in light of the truth: some things are more

important than a spotless home.

h

There truly is a time for every season and activity. Housework is important; but

so is laughter! Our children are only young once, and many opportunities to

teach them the importance of spending time doing the right thing at the right

time vanish with their youth.

When teachable moments present themselves, we must seize the oppor-

tunity to teach and instruct and not allow the moment to slip away because we

were too busy being busy.

Being too rigid will find us standing on the wrong side of many issues.

Not only will it bring dissention among the ranks, but our children and their

children will ultimately pay the price. Lighten up and laugh a little. The work

will still be there when the laughter fades.

Prayer

“Lord, keep me from being too busy when it’s time

to laugh. Reset the attitude of my heart so I will

recognize what time it is. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 So, What Do You Think?

July 24

They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life

of God because of … ignorance.

Ephesians 4:18

Gwen’s transformation from atheism to Christianity began in a local coffee bar

when an engaging young man named Britt asked her, “So, what do you think is

going to happen to you when you die?”

Gwen had given him the answer she’d used hundreds of times to defend

her position. “I will cease to exist, end of story.”

A few espressos later, Britt had convinced Gwen to attend church with

him the following Sunday. She heard the gospel message in a way that made

sense. And for the first time she began to doubt her position. She began to pray

and asked God to reveal Himself.

Britt challenged her to read the Bible. Within two weeks, Gwen became

convinced there was a God, and she wanted to know Him. Giving her life to

Christ had been life-changing. Having a new perspective on eternity, Gwen

felt an urgency to share her newfound faith with those who had shared her

ungodly skepticism. She now realized that the alternative to not asking the

tough question was eternal death for those with whom she had shared her

ignorance. Though she felt a twinge of fear each time, she refused to allow it

to stop her from asking each one, “So, what do you think is going to happen to

you when you die?”

h

Sharing our faith can be confrontational. The truth is most of us don’t like

confrontation. The other side of the coin is having the knowledge we asked the

question and gave someone an opportunity to say yes to Jesus. If we don’t ask

them the question, who will? This is not someone else’s job.

Approximately 150,000 people die each day worldwide, many of them

never knowing Christ for lack of someone asking them the tough question.

If this Jesus we follow and trust with our eternal lives is Who He says He

is and Who we believe He is, how can we allow the question to go unasked?

Prayer

“Lord, I know I will survive the embarrassment and

discomfort of sharing my faith with unbelievers. May

I find the courage to take as many people to heaven

with me as I can. In Jesus’ mighty Name, amen!”

 Daddy’s Charge

July 23

So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of

the Lord, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the

commands of the Lord your God, that you may possess this good

land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever.

1 Chronicles 28:8

As they circled the dance floor, he held her close. His little girl had grown too

fast. He felt so blessed, so proud of who she had become. He was feeling the

separation that comes when our children come of age. Beautiful beyond words,

she smiled a tear-filled smile, Daddy’s girl all the way! The dance ended too

soon. Roles had changed in less than an hour. He had gone from provider and

protector to sometimes advisor and prayerful encourager—advisor only when

solicited.

He thought back to the ceremony when he’d charged his new son, “Today,

I present to you my daughter. I charge you with the nurturing love of a mother

and the fearless protection of a father. May you be strong when necessary and

gentle in times of tears. And may God bless this union.”

Back in the present, he thought, Funny how life screams by at light-speed

when it involves our children. He caught his wife’s knowing smile over the

crowd. He was pretty sure she was saying, “Now you know how my dad felt.”

He had a new perspective.

h

Responsibility brings with it promise. In this text’s pronouncement, Israel, if

they followed God’s commands, would inherit the land set aside for them for

all generations.

We are to not only follow God’s commands, but to faithfully instruct our

offspring. They are to be nurtured, able to leave us, moving into the next season

of their lives. We are charged with calling them to accountability.

As with the father in this story, we are to charge those who inherit the

care of those entrusted to us. We are not to do this with ambiguity. We are to

actively speak truth of responsibility to the next generation.

Prayer

“You charge us this day, to follow Your commands, Lord.

Teach us to be faithful in response to that responsibility

as we follow Your leading. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 Evil’s House

July 22

If a man pays back evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

Proverbs 17:13

Flynn said good-bye to his last guest and closed the door. “Wow! What a

night,” he said, smiling at his wife, Leslie. The grim look on her face alerted

him to something amiss. “What is it?” he asked.

“Someone has taken the cookie jar fund,” came her somber reply. “As

I began washing the dessert dishes, I noticed the lid on the jar was a little

crooked. So out of curiosity I lifted the lid. The money is gone. I know it was

there right before the dinner because I dropped in some change from my purse

right after I got home from the grocery store.” Then she added, “I didn’t want

to say anything while the guests were here because I didn’t want to offend the

innocent parties. What should we do?”

After a moment of thought, Flynn said, “I don’t know that we should do

anything, honey. To find out who took it would require asking each person if

he or she knew anything about the missing money. We would be putting every-

one’s integrity in question, and I’m not sure I’m willing to do that. I’m think-

ing that whoever took it will have to deal with his guilty conscience and that

God will convict him of his evil actions. Let’s just let God handle it,” Flynn

suggested. “We can replace what’s missing so the kids don’t suffer for someone

else’s poor choices and leave it at that.”

h

To repay someone’s generosity by stealing from him is to ensure evil a place in

our heart and house. Evil acts, regardless of the act, give Satan a foothold he

will exploit in an effort to turn it into a stronghold.

If the person remains unrepentant, evil will eventually become a fortress

seeping into every part of his life. It will ultimately bring total destruction to

the entire household, leaving no one unaffected.

Solomon says that the one who commits evil will never be free from it. The

only way to escape evil’s house and Satan’s grip is to bring our actions before

the Lord in repentance. Then follow His leading.

Prayer

“Keep evil from my doorstep and my heart, Lord. Amen.”

 Clear Conscience

July 21

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

1 Peter 3:14

They called him a whistle blower. As they agency’s head accountant, Wes had

called for an investigation into alleged improprieties. Everyone felt he had

betrayed the agency. They didn’t know what Wes knew. He had discovered

that three of the top executives had embezzled 2.3 million dollars in company

retirement funds.

He’d figured it out while doing an in-depth cross-check of the last two

years’ books. Someone had cooked the books to show bogus market exchanges

after the year-to-date expenditures had been signed off on.

Someone had slanted the books to make it appear the firm had spent mil-

lions on a new office building in the downtown district and that each employee

was a contributing shareholder.

He’d uncovered a trail where thousands of dollars at a time had been

siphoned from the money market investments without anyone’s knowledge.

Wes ran across the discrepancies by checking deposit dates against phony real

estate entries.

When the two-month external investigation proved Wes had been right,

the whistleblower label was replaced with pats on the back and a huge debt

of thanks. Wes had done what was right. In his mind, he couldn’t have done

otherwise.

h

Sometimes doing the right thing requires taking some abuse. But that should

never be the deciding factor in how we proceed. To look the other way when

things are not as they should be is to forfeit character, honesty, and integrity.

Wes could have chosen to ignore his discovery. He could have sim-

ply resigned his position and gone to another agency. He was aware that by

implicating those in authority he was taking a chance on having his character

dragged through the mud. After all, he’d only been with the company a little

over a year, and it was his word against theirs. For a while, it had been a very

lonely stand.

It is better to suffer a while for what is right than live with a troubled heart.

There is no substitute for a clear conscience.

Prayer

“I want to be a person of great integrity, Lord. Help

me to put what’s right ahead of my comfort no matter

the circumstances. In Jesus’ Name, amen. “

 Then Who?

July 20

If anyone … sees his brother in need but has no pity … how can the

love of God be in him?

1 John 3:17

The little girl looked so forlorn. Her mother looked as though she were fight-

ing back tears. A covert glance revealed smudged faces and dirty clothes.

Lord, please send someone to minister to whatever problems they’re facing. Meet

their needs, Sherry silently prayed as the elevator stopped on her floor.

“Why not you?” God softly invited.

Oh, Lord, I’ve got to get to work, she rationalized and stepped off the elevator.

“If not you, then who?” God whispered.

What am I supposed to say? Their personal issues are none of my business, she

argued.

“Compassion is everyone’s business,” came the soft reprisal.

Turning back, Sherry hesitantly spoke. “Excuse me. I don’t want to offend

you, but it appears as though you could use some help. Is there something I

can do?”

The tears refused to be held back any longer. “I’m sorry,” the mother began.

“It’s been so difficult lately. I lost my job. Cyndi and I have been living in

homeless shelters. I came here in hopes of getting a job, but the way I look, I’m

afraid no one would hire me.”

Reaching into her purse, Sherry pulled out a brush and began brushing

the little girl’s hair, listening as the mother told her story. “Maybe I can help,”

Sherry began.

h

We may not own a business and be able to hire the unemployed or have spare

rooms to offer, but we can still reach out to those in need in whatever capacity

we are able. Whether we choose to see it or not, hardship surrounds us.

The third chapter of John’s first letter deals with how we are to respond

to God’s love. He invites us to mercifully emulate that love to a world in need.

It may take a few extra minutes, and we may be a bit uncomfortable, but

when we encounter someone in need, we should mentally trade places, as if we

ourselves were the one in need. And then remember God’s challenging appeal:

if not you, then who?

Prayer

“Father, thank You for the loving sacrifice that made

me right with You. May You find in me a willingness

to be Your hand of mercy when You call. Amen.”

Hope with a Smile

July 19

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one

another.

John 13:35

Sally awakened at 4:00 a.m., said a hearty “Good morning, Father” as her

feet hit the floor, and headed for the shower. She dressed and headed for the

kitchen to fix breakfast for herself and Tiger. “Hiya, kiddo,” she greeted the big

cat, stroking his sleek fur.

Eggs cooking, she spooned tuna delight into Tiger’s dish. “Eat it all now!”

she said in mock sternness, then chuckled as Tiger cocked his head at her.

Dishes done, she headed out the door, ready to meet the day. She loved the

short drive to work as it often afforded her a beautiful sunrise or a full moon

hanging in the waning night sky.

Sally volunteered in the day surgery unit of the local hospital.

With a smile on her face and a servant’s heart, she set about putting things

in order. “I love the quiet,” she would say. “When I arrive, there’s no one here

but me. I like that.” Arranging doctors’ charts and nurses’ orders, preparing

each room by making sure everything was ready was Sally’s way of ministering

to the staff.

Those rounds complete, Sally took her station in the lobby, greeting every-

one scheduled for surgery. She took names and met needs, adding quiet words

of encouragement and comfort or a prayer offered from a heart that had felt

their pain and known their fears. Sally was the bright spot in their day; she gave

them hope with a smile.

h

A servant’s heart is a precious thing. Out of it flows kindness with compassion

and tenderness through encouragement. It’s born of a deep love for others, a

selfless love like Jesus showed us on Calvary.

Servanthood is this great ability to rid others of their heartache and fear,

rejection and pain, if only for a little while.

Jesus calls those who give of themselves in this way His disciples. And

for good reason. They love with abandon, holding nothing back, lifting others

above the struggles they face. Such an extravagant love makes a remarkable

impact, and it begins with a mind-set that brings hope with a smile.

Prayer

“Help me love like You do, Lord. Use me to brighten

someone else’s day. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”