Pamela

I tend to take myself too seriously at times, which partially is okay, but I tend to overthink most things and usually come up short or less than, in my own mind. Perhaps I need to lighten up a bit.

Don't get me wrong. Life is serious business but sometimes we need to take a step back and find the humor in things. As a pastor, I deal with quite a bit of sadness and brokenness, so I'm finding it more necessary to seek out the lighter side. I now try to find humor in daily life and circumstances. And my blood pressure is lower than it's been in years!

I'm determined to laugh more. Smile more. And make people wonder what I'm up to! And that's not always easy, especially when I watch the evening news. Yuk! I'm reminded that according to Ecclesiastes 3, there's a time to weep and a time to laugh. Proverbs tells me that laughter is like taking medicine. In today's world, I need to increase my daily dosage of laughter.

I love telling the following story about Pamela. This true story took place over forty years ago but it still brings belly laughter. Lori and I were children and youth pastors, respectively, in a church outside of Birmingham, Alabama. One Sunday, Lori woke up with a fever and sore throat and had to stay home. That meant I was leading a children's church. Yes, me! Can you believe it?

At any rate, I selected a Bible Study from the Old Testament, and prepared to tell it in my own words. I think it was the story of Jonah and the whale. Man was I pumped! I practiced my details, tone, voice intonations, and delivery for two hours beforehand. Children's church was going to be off the charts!

The time came, and I asked the thirty-plus children present to find their carpet square and sit down. My debut was close at hand. I began talking about the wayward preacher, and frankly, I thought my delivery was both interesting and captivating. I was on a roll until…

Until Pamela, who was spread out on a blue carpet square three feet in front of me, suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs, "Oh, my God! O-o-oo-h-h-h-h- my-y-y God! I am so bored. I am so very bored to death. You are killing me!" I was beyond surprised, even shocked! I was startled and abruptly stopped mid-sentence. And then the unthinkable happened. I literally fell on the floor holding my stomach and laughing out loud like a crazy man. Even Pamela was dumbfounded!

Initial shock and disappointment quickly turned to laughter. As a matter of fact, explosive laughter filled the room, as most of the kids got in on the action. My children's church days were short-lived; however, I still laugh when I think of Pamela's honest outburst, and my apparent immediate release from non-effective children's ministry.

When days become difficult, and life hands you a lemon, find something to laugh about. Buy a joke book. Get on YouTube and find a clean stand-up comedian. Think about the funny things and times in your life. Purposely laugh. Laughter will become your great equalizer in a world where serious matters threaten to steal our joy and overwhelm our minds.