Billy, You make me LAUGH!

 

Favorite Scriptures Day #13 

I had some fun at the beginning of my sermon yesterday, celebrating our 47th Wedding Anniversary. My wife is such an awesome lady. She knows living with me can be an adventure. But, I also love making her laugh and yes, I also love to TEASE her!

 What character traits do you admire in people? 

I ADMIRE people who LOVE THE LORD and have confidence in their relationship with JESUS. They aren't pushy, but they don't apologize, either. They are always looking for opportunities to share Jesus with someone and never shirk those God given responsibilities. I also admire people who do not take themselves seriously all the time. I ADMIRE people who love the HAVE FUN, JOKE, TEASE, and can BE TEASED! My grandkids understand this probably more than anyone I know. We love to tease each other. We had a group of them with us this weekend, one last visit before the craziness of school begins. They always make me laugh. We love to joke around and yes, we even perform the occasional practical joke. ONE of my CALIFORNIA granddaughters played a great practical joke on her mother last week with some FAKE POOP. (I know it is a little weird to type that word, but I couldn't come up with a better alternative!LOL!) She put some brownish playdoh in her bathing suit bottoms. Her mom saw it and thought she had "gone" in her bathing suit! HAHAHAHAHA! She is also the one who placed a REAL egg in the midst of a bowl of hard boiled eggs! She is a girl after my own heart! 

I also admire people who can maintain a light-hearted attitude in the midst of turmoil and uncertainty. BILLY has been one of those people. Billy is always one of the HIGHLIGHTS of my SUNDAY MORNINGS. He always has a great joke. Yesterday, it was a FUNNY DAD JOKE SHIRT. The best part about BILLY, he is in the middle of a HEALTH BATTLE, yet he can still provide a light to other people. I pray often for him, we need more people like BILLY in this world. I love him dearly and so does the Lord!

I was reading my NEXT FAVORITE SCRIPTURE this morning and thinking about WHAT WE ADMIRE IN PEOPLE.

"This is what the Lord says, Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken." (Jeremiah 9:23-24, NLT)

The WORLD ADMIRES WISDOM, POWER, and RICHES. Those are the things MANY people admire in others. But I think God admires people who can laugh. Look at these scriptures:

"and Nehemiah continued, 'Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before the Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'" (Nehemiah 8:10, NLT)

Proverbs 17:22 says:

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, and a broken spirit saps a person's strength." (Proverbs 17:22, NLT)

Psalm 126:2 says:

"We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, 'What amazing things the Lord has done for them.' Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!" (Psalm 126:2-3, NLT)

Laughter, and a cheerful heart, provide so much joy in a person's life. JOY can provide so much strength. THANKS BILLY for providing ME with such great joy! I am praying for you this week.