Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
My daughter is a miracle of laughter, love, and redemption.
I wrote a post about two years ago focusing on my top 5 childhood memories that bring laughter. Topping the list: my brother’s attempt at running away when he was five. He angrily stalked out the house after grabbing a handful of clothing from a drawer. My mom told me not to worry about following him because his runaway episode would be a short one.
When he didn’t return right away, I went to look for him.
I found him easily because he left a trail of underwear down the sidewalk. I remember laughing and hugging my little brother when I finally found him sitting by a tree.
When I am down, remembering times like these help me immensely. Laughter has medicinal implications. “Laughter is the best medicine.”
As a toddler, my daughter brought joy to our home. I hear my little daughter spinning and laughing. Her eyes twinkling she giggles with joy. She still makes this funny face that brings a smile to my heart. The smile widens and my heart fills with mirth.
I love hearing the sounds of a child’s laugh. Sweet and beautiful. Something so innocent.
However, as we grow older and the realities of life creep in, it hard to find laughter.
To be young again and rediscover laughter. How do we find joy and laughter when pain or troubles consumes our days?
I try to focus on memories of laughter and fun I have had with my family.
I recall the scriptures about joy and love.
I watch a funny show on television and listen to music that uplifts.
I also try to remember that laughter redeems. I read once that the name, Isaac, means “he who laughs.” His mother said that God had given her her son and she laughed with joy.
When I think of the birth of my own daughter, I laugh. True story: I laughed as I gave birth to her, especially when in the middle of my worst contraction and pain in my life, my doctor told me to push like I was pooping the biggest turd in my life. The whole room erupted in laughter from my husband, to the nurses, and my mother and me. I forgot about my pain in that instance.
When she entered this world, my pain became a distant memory as I held her in awe and kissed her cheeks.
The birth of my daughter is a redemption story too. I had made so many mistakes in life, choosing the wrong men and marrying them and suffering the hurt and abuse that followed. I had given up on my dream to be a mother. Then, God rescued me and I found my husband.
Our relationship filled with laughter from the beginning. On our first date, I spilled everything, every mistake, every hurt. He left and I anticipated that he would never return.
He came back the next day with an unusual gift : a pink basket and in it, a baby doll. He said that he returned because I had touched him when I confessed my fears that all my mistakes would mean that I would never have a baby. He said that he wanted to bless me with one.
His face so sweet and somber, I couldn’t believe what I heard so I laughed. Less than two years later, I sat in a hospital laughing again at my doctor’s funny words. Then my daughter came into the world in a rush of beauty.
Continuing to write for 31 Days, an online writing challenge started by home blogger, Myquillyn Smith (The Nester), and now hosted by Crystal Stine, where bloggers pick one topic and write a post on that topic every day in October. I am also joining my friend Kate Motaung and my friends from the Five Minute Friday community during this challenge. Kate worked with community bloggers to develop the 2015 edition of 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes, Readers’ Choice Awards, a writing link-up in conjunction with the annual Write 31 Days Challenge. For the five minute, free write sessions, Kate encouraged bloggers to submit ideas for one-word prompts for each day of the challenge. Today’s word: “Laugh.”
And I am rejoining my friend, Holly Mueller, for her weekly linkup 
This week’s theme: redemption.
Also joining these hops:
And: LifeGivingLinkup, Tell Me A Story Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Words With Winter Linkup, Grace at Home party, #Grace &Truth , #LiveFreeThursdays, Faith & Friends, Faith Filled Fridays, Fellowship Fridays,Friendship Fridays, #DanceWithJesus Friday Linkup andFridays Unfolded.
God is so good and a redeeming. Love your story.
Kim Cunningham recently posted…S’mores
What a great message to remember! Thank you for sharing!
Mary, laughter is such a healing action but to laugh with joy is better. Thank you for sharing your story of triumph.
Carol Varsalona recently posted…Second Chance
Dear Mary, Thank you for that touching (and hilarious) story. We all have to laugh, don’t we. So glad God gave us this release.
I, too, lost a child through miscarriage. I still find it difficult sometimes. But God knows my pain, He knows yours. Someday, all our tears will be wiped away.
Love to you from Arizona.
( By the way- I hope you got through the recent flood without too much damage).
God blessed our area and protected it. Why Columbia and the lower part of the state? I have survivors’ guilt about this. I am praying constantly for those South of me. Like my friend said in the post about her God is so faithful to see us through our storms in life : from natural disasters to personal crisis. He is always there true and real. He uses these to mold us and transform us into Light for His message of Love.
Mary Hill recently posted…Green : A New Movement for Christ
What a beautiful story of life turning around for you. I love the place laughter plays in it.
Violet N. recently posted…Love Triangles (review)
Thank you Violet for visiting. God is so good.
Mary Hill recently posted…Green : A New Movement for Christ
Awwww. I love this. So many precious memories. I had to laugh out loud tonight when I was cooking dinner and I wanted my little boy to bring me some tongs from the kitchen drawer. I rarely use tongs and figured he probably wouldn’t even know what they were so I asked him, “Do you know what tongs are?” and he said “Yes” then proceeded to stick out his tongue and wag it around. It cracked me up! He was being serious, but then we both started laughing.
So sweet. What a wonderful moment. Thanks for sharing.
Mary Hill recently posted…Laughter Brings Redemption
What a heart-warming story; thanks for sharing it. God has been so good to you. 😉
I, too, am making a list of how to bring laughter into my life. I never thought about one of your ideas: “I recall the scriptures about joy and love.”
I am just now starting to write down funny episodes from my childhood. I will read your linked post after I finish this comment.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, He has. I love the redemption story that He has created out of my life.
Mary Hill recently posted…Laughter Brings Redemption
Great post! I laugh every time I hear that line about pooping the biggest poop during labor. Your daughter is beautiful. And is definitely a story of redemption. Love it!
Tara recently posted…“Grace Like Rain”
I do too. That line still makes us crack up til this day and she is almost 13! Thanks for stopping by.
Mary Hill recently posted…Laughter Brings Redemption
What a beautiful reminder that laughter does indeed heal. And how cool that your future husband brought you a pink basket and you ended up having a girl!
Anita Ojeda recently posted…Never Underestimate the Importance of Communication
I thought that was prophetic afterwards. We thought we are having a boy until she was born. The ultrasound were not clear and they could never tell for sure.
I really appreciate that about my husband – he can lighten almost any situation with humor, and it helps a great deal.
Barbara H. recently posted…Knowing God, Chapters 17 and 18: God’s Jealousy and Propitiation
My husband is so wonderful. He is not perfect, but God knew exactly the type of man that I needed and He sent him.
Mary Hill recently posted…Laughter Brings Redemption
My boys keep laughing, they are such a blessing to me. My youngest is currently running around with a mickey mouse bike safety helmet on and won’t take it off. 🙂
Laura recently posted…Have you ever wondered if you made a difference, a real difference?
I wanted a little boy. I think I lost a little boy when I miscarried. But God has given me such a wonderful daughter and husband. Your son sounds like a handful and sweet.
Mary Hill recently posted…Laughter Brings Redemption
Laughter redeems, I’m going to try to remember that when troubles come again. Yes, I’ve watched groups of young women talking and laughing together and remember I used to do that. What happened? Let’s call it life. I’m thankful for the mercy God gives us, he will never leave us and the sun will shine again. Thanks for sharing your heart , your life and your laughter with me.
Nancy, I hope all is well. I will be praying for you and am so grateful to you for the kind words.
Mary Hill recently posted…Laughter Brings Redemption
Thank you for bringing levity into this week’s heavy topic. Having just learned that today is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, I especially enjoyed your happy remembrance of your daughter’s birth. If you don’t mind, please light a candle at 7p.m. tonight in union with those parents who have suffered the loss of a child. God bless you and thanks.
Bobbie Taylor recently posted…Drinking, Humbly, from the Cup of Redemption
I realize today is a sad day for some. I lost my child too in 2003. My daughter had just turned a year a few months earlier, and we found out we were pregnant again. I miscarried during the first trimester. The baby did not form and was not on an ultrasound. I don’t know what happened. I remember the loss and crying times. My sister miscarried the same year. I lost a niece or nephew. She lost a niece or nephew. One night I dreamed about my father who had gone on to heaven. He walked down the beautiful streets, holding hands with two children smiling up at him. Our babies are there now with their grandpa. He never got to meet my Katie Rose.
Mary Hill recently posted…Spiritual Journey of Patience
Sorry for the losses suffered by you and your sister. What a beautiful consolation! I do believe it as you dreamed! God bless you and your children, here and already with God in heaven. Thank you for sharing your grief-and-joy story.
Bobbie Taylor recently posted…Drinking, Humbly, from the Cup of Redemption