Joshing Around

When anyone among you has troubles, you must help each other. If you do that, you will be obeying Christ’s rule.

Galatians 6:2 EASY

My nephew, Josh, was always a prankster. He was the class clown in school. He provided entertainment for his family. He initiated fun adventures with his friends. He had “a smile his face couldn’t contain,” as his brother noted. This engaging smile and quick wit helped him skirt several disciplinary encounters with teachers and even police officers.

Josh’s goal in life was to make people laugh. He wanted to provide some levity for others, if only for a moment. Humor was his way of bearing each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2). Josh understood the importance of laughter, as he had suffered more than a few bouts of depression.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us there is a time to laugh. I think we forget that sometimes. We can get so caught up with daily checklists—and biblical checklists—that we forget to enjoy life.

A happy heart is like good medicine. But a broken spirit drains your strength (Proverbs 17:22 ICB). If you have you taken antibiotics for an infection, you know the importance of good medicine. How much more does the good medicine of laughter bring to the spirit? It can help someone keep going when he or she is about to give up. It can refocus our attention on something besides the problems.

Joshua used this good medicine as he encountered people that others often overlooked. He would strike up a conversation with anyone. Homeless people were welcomed to Josh’s home for some food and fellowship. Helping others, especially the downtrodden, gave him joy which, in turn, gave the people joy.

Even at his funeral, Josh continued to lighten our load as we watched his antics on the slide show and videos displayed on the screen. I have never heard so much laughter at a funeral!  In his short 33 years, he touched many lives. I hope to honor Joshua’s legacy by remembering to laugh and spread joy. Will you join me?

Terri Vardeman