Humor From The Aged

Believe it or not, but my mother sent me this and I just wanted to share it here. Very cute and for some it is one you have heard before, but I hope it tickles a part of your funny bone today.


The local news station was interviewing an 80-year-old lady because she had just gotten married for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband's occupation.
"He's a funeral director," she answered.
He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living. She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years.
After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly,
Explaining that she had first married a banker when she was in her early 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, and a preacher when in her 60's, and now in her 80's, a funeral director.
The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.
She smiled and explained, "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."

Allow for Space in the Music

I frequently get e-newsletters from Christianity Today (a very evangelical magazine and ezine). Some of them are good and some are infuriating, but this particular article stood out to me as one that was well written and challenging.

The content is about dealing with the uncomfortable situation of being a true friend to some individual suffering through chronic or lifelong pain or suffering. What words of comfort are truly comforting? What words are well intended but in the end cause more frustration or feelings of wanting to withdraw even more.

As a pastor there are times I feel void of any ability to offer hope to someone. I have individuals in my family and in my church who struggle with persistent physical or emotional turmoil. What are my choices of communicating hope to these people. What can I say that won't hurt them more and drive them deeper into despair?

This article was a good reminder of some things to be aware of and conscious of. There are times we are totally unaware of the burdens that some people carry and so we find ourselves saying things that are hurtful without knowing it. Those are different situations from the ones that this article addresses.

May we learn to Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. (Romans 12:15)

I like the last part of the article where it derives the title. Sometimes it comes down to us simply living out the truth we wish to verbally share. Sometimes we simply need to shut our mouths and let our actions relay the truth of comfort the person truly needs.


Allow for Space in the Music | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Laughter

I sit right now in my office and down the hall from me a group of our ladies are sitting together for a Bible study. The sounds though are sounds of comfort, refreshing, and joy. The sounds are of laughter.

The thing that makes this sound so great is that I know that many of these ladies are dealing with life's tough side. Some are struggling with health issues, some are struggling with unsaved spouses, some are struggling with relationships and family obligations. But for this moment, they can laugh.

Scripture is right:
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast. Proverbs 15:13,15

So many times we become enamored with our lack, our frustration, and our dread of situations and life; but God's Word is filled with the optimism of hope, strength, and that source of wisdom when appropriately applying the knowledge that God grants us that ask it of Him.

Trials bring focus and that focus should be upon the One that brings joy and thus the ability to still find ways to laugh and not be overwrought and even overwhelmed with circumstances. Keep your attention on the Divine and less on the details that want to cloud our vision of what God is accomplishing in our lives.