LOL!

LOL!Laugh out loud!LOL is one of the very good things to come out of the internet.Laughter accomplishes wonderful things: relieves stress, binds friends, lengthens life, promotes healing, increases energy, beautifies the face—and just feels good!Sure, some laughter is not so good: at the expense of others, at coarse jokes, with evil intent, in derision.But I am talking about the genuine, welling up, laugh out loud kind!I was recently with sisters and brothers in Indonesia. Friends who have been through a lot in recent years: tsunami, earthquake, volcano, imprisonment for their faith. They have suffered serious pain and loss, and they are not glib about that suffering.Yet repeatedly they overflowed with laughter. Light, easy laughter. And strong, deep laughter.How is that possible? How can people with so many griefs, so many tears, laugh so much?They can laugh because it flows from deep joy. They have discovered the truth of these words from Scripture:“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The LORD has done great things for them.’” (Psalm 126:2)“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” (Acts 2:28)When we recognize the truth of all that God has done for us, when we dwell in His presence, when we focus on His love and desire for us, when we are thankful for all His gifts, then joy fills us. We rejoice, sometimes even through our tears.And with that kind of joy we can LOL!c2011 Judy Douglass