It seems over the past several weeks and months I haven’t had very many humorous experiences to write about. There is so much tragedy, almost too much, happening all around me; friends and family members all touched to some degree with suffering, pain, loss and grief. To tell about my most recent brush with the wild and unruly little people in my home might come across as shallow and empty, in light of the real hurt that others are walking through. I find myself overwhelmed, grappling with such serious and heady issues. With a heavy heart I’ve asked God, “Where’s the funny?”
I’ve been looking for it. Looking for the funny. Even this morning, when all three of my children melted down simultaneously, and in perfect harmony I might add, while eating breakfast. I paused for a moment and briefly analyzed the situation, “How can I spin this moment of shear chaos into something funny?” Unfortunately, by 7:30am I was already pulling out my reserve nerves because my kids had successfully trampled on the last of my daily supply. All this after waking up early to pray for these three monkeys! There was nothing funny about that.
As I was trying to finish getting ready, my son came into the bathroom to help me. In his effort, and to his credit he really was trying to help, he slammed my foot and finger (don’t ask - I don’t know I managed to have both my foot and finger in the same place at the same time) in the bathroom cabinet. It hurt. It was not funny. I was not funny. After I let out a glorious shout of “OUCH!” I looked at Jackson, his eyes wide open, and stifled what was about to leak out of my mouth next and started to pray…loudly. Jackson was concerned and laid his hand on my foot and prayed too. Then he gave it a kiss. That’s not funny either, but it sure was sweet.
Once recovered, I sat down at my desk to collect my things for Bible study. I had been praying this morning and preparing my heart for this time of fellowship with other women. We are all facing various challenges in our lives, and we have been rallying around each other in prayer and encouragement. These women have been high on my prayer list. I was deep in thought when I turned to look at Jackson, who was once again following me. He was picking his nose. Then he was eating “it”. I said, “Eew, Jackson. Don’t eat your boogers. Icky gross!” He looked straight at me and said with defiance, “No! I like my boogers.” Then he stuck his germ-encrusted index finger up his nose, pulled something out and proceeded to plunge it into his mouth. Completely satisfied with himself he let out a triumphant, “Mmmmmm,” and walked away. And there it was. The funny. I found the funny. Thanks to my two-year-old son and his appetite for boogers, funny found its way into my day.
Amidst the pain and sorrow that surrounds each and every one of us, finding the funny can be so hard - almost impossible. I know that there are situations that are completely out of my control; things I need God to intervene on and I don’t know how or when He will. There are other issues that seem inexplicable to me – pointless in the present – and again I just have to trust in the sovereignty of God. In the meantime, I need a good laugh. I need to feel the sides of my mouth turn upward while my heart flip-flops in glee. I need the funny. Sometimes the funny can be found everywhere and in everything. Other times we have to look for it. We have to set out to find it, and then relish in every moment of laughter it gives to us. If you need to find the funny, then I truly hope you find it. If you’ve found it, then I hope it lingers long enough to satisfy your longing. For me, I’m still thinking about Jackson and his boogers, and I can’t help but smile.
Proverbs 15:13 (NIV)
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.