Gratitude ~ Laughter

Greetings Dear Reader,

Yesterday I shared my usual Friday breakfast with my boon companion and dear friend Jeff.  Our providential meeting occurred a few years ago when we were cube neighbors.  We became friends through conversation and shared consternation.  Amidst all of that, however, was also laughter.

The laughter at our meal yesterday was rich and prolonged.  We caught up on our progress in the journey.  We shared war stories concerning the less adept at navigating the path.  Mostly, though, we laughed at a world that so often has so much to teach us.

I say we laughed because neither of us takes things too seriously.  Perhaps that is not accurate.  We are both always serious but we are seldom somber.  We take humor seriously.  We savor the moments when both the tragedy and joy of life erupt in serious laughter.  The laughter is either to avoid tragic tears or because the world unfolds in ways that are joyous and humorous.

I wonder how often we really get what Job or the writer of Psalms mean when they speak of God filling us with laughter.  That joy is the laughter for which I am thankful.  I see it in the opportunity to help others.  I find it in the time shared with my Children and Grand Children.  I relish it when I get the women at the bakery to break into song with me over Sweet Caroline or YMCA. 

There is a way to make the lives of others better through laughter.  I do not mean stand up comedy, although I value that too.  I am talking about those moments when the heart sheds its burdens for a space over an incident of shared joy.  I am so grateful that when we have sorrow we also have laughter to remember and to anticipate.

I hear God in that laughter and it is so very real.  It is healing and encouraging.  I wish you so much of it that your sides ache.  How about you Dear Reader; do you have tales of real laughter to share?

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

Second Thoughts ~ Fish Feet

Greetings Dear Reader,

Sometimes I will end the day with thoughts that are important to get out.  Usually I just write them and put them in my journal folder.  I have chosen that on occasion I will share them with you, Dear Reader.

Recently I was sitting in an old theatre whilst my Daughter browsed jewelry at a in-theatre flea market.  Sitting in front of me was a three-year-old girl with her grandmother.  They were waiting for her dad.  She turned around backwards in her chair, held up a crisp, and looked me in the eye.

She spoke with great authority, “I am Violet.  I am three.  Fish DO have feet.  I am eating Dori’s toes!”

My first thought was that if this is true then it makes the entire premise of The Little Mermaid invalid.  Then I thought about how to explain that to Violet.   Before I could further pursue the exchange, my Daughter returned from her jewelry perusal.  I tried to explain the conversation to her but failed.   

I would have you ponder with me a bit Dear Reader.  This wee girl had the good sense to not only make a pun but to share it with me.  This is one of the reasons that I always listen to small children when they wish to speak to me.  They have so much to share that can enrich our world. 

It would be wonderful to have more time to do this.  I also find that they tolerate my puns much more willingly.  Now I just need to figure out the real Little Mermaid premise.

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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Figuring Out God – A Sense of Humor

Greetings Dear Reader,

When I ponder certain situations I cannot help but laugh.  Jesus has five thousand people with him in the country.  There is not fast food available.   There are no diners or taco stands.  There are five thousand hungry people.

The apostles have been with Jesus for some time.  They have seen him turn water to wine.  He is mourning the death of his cousin.  He has just spent the day healing the sick.  Please take a moment to get that firmly in your mind. 

Jesus is healing sick people on the spot.  He is caring for the lives of others whilst dealing with the beheading of his cousin John.  His disciples are witness to this and he has already explained to them that they can do as he does. 

The day is wearing on and the people are hungry.  His followers tell him to send them away to the villages to buy food.  Again, no pizza delivery or vendors selling food “On a Stick” are an option.   The response holds so much that we overlook. 

Jesus says to them, “You give them something to eat.”  Jesus wants them to act.  He is telling them to provide for his followers.  The disciples do not get it.  They ask him if he wishes for them to go buy food.  They are concerned that it will cost too much.  I can picture the face palm. 

I can picture the moment so easily and it makes me smile.  Jesus asks them what they have.  The answer is simple.  They have five loaves of bread (picture flat bread here such as Nan or a pita. {I want to launch into a myriad of Nan puns here but I will spare you out of my deep love for you Dear Reader.  Besides they would be Nan-Sequential to my point here}).  They have two fish as well.

Jesus, in a moment of glorious humor tells them to sit the people in groups.  He already knows what he will do but they have lost site of the possible.  They have forgotten the potential promised in the things they have witnessed all day. 

Jesus feeds them all by dividing the loaves and fishes.  He does not make tuna fish.  He does not spend a penny.  Do we think of God as having a sense of humor?  Do we ponder that we can see God as laughing, joking, and dare I say making a bad pun or two.

When we attempt to see who God is we must remember that all of our good traits are created by him.  I hear God in good laughter.  I am sure he has played a joke or two on me.  If I fail to see God’s sense of humor then I will not know him in full.

I want to continue to discover the good things about this God who so many think they have figured out.  Beginning with laughter is a great start.  It grounds to the fact that the human condition is one that God chose to experience so that I could better relate to him.

Know You In The Now – Michael Card

Echo of history

A light so many strain to see

The One we talk so much about

But rarely ever live it out

Could You tell me why

Was it for this You came and died

A once a week observance

When we coldly mouth Your words

Lord I long to see

Your presence in reality

But I don't know how

Let me know You in the now

We should confess

We lose You in our busyness

We've made You in our image

So our faith's idolatry

Lord, deliver me

Break my heart so I can see

All the ways You dwell in us

That You're alive in me

Lord I long to see

Your presence in reality

But I don't know how

Let me know You in the now

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)