Today is April Fools’ Day.

 

Today is April Fools’ Day. I think of my dad on this day because he always recognized the day with corny jokes and pranks, laughing uproariously when we kids fell for them. In this post-Covid Pandemic shut-down time with all its worries, I have much more respect for the gift of laughter than I used to. I value each involuntary laugh that comes to me or that I can share with others. It feels so good to laugh!

 

Health professionals say that laughter is good medicine. According to HelpGuide.org, ”Laughter draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.”

 

Although the Gospels never mention specifically that Jesus laughed, in Luke 6:21b we read, “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” I love this promise of future laughter and hold on to it in hope.

 

I invite each of you to be more intentional in looking for things that make you laugh and generously sharing opportunities to laugh with others.

 

Here is a joke to start you out.

 

“A guy is driving through a parking lot trying to find an empty spot. (A common problem in Miami!) For the life of him he can’t find one, so he looks up to Heaven and asks, “God, please help me find a spot to park.”

Miraculously out of nowhere a spot appears. The man then says to God, “Never mind. I found one!”