Sometimes it feels like the spiritual high of Christmas is followed by a black hole called January and February. The lights, carols, and baby Jesus get put away until next year, and it’s just bleh. There are seasons in every life when God seems absent. What do we do in those times? How do we reclaim hope and joy? In the next few weeks, I’ll be exploring some strategies. Here is one: cultivate laughter. Laughter may just be our first form of prayer. Babies laugh months before they speak. Their laughter is fundamentally a connection to their high power – their parent! Studies have shown that the biggest gut buster for babies is Peekaboo. Learn More Peekaboo is fundamentally about relationships. I’m here for you. No, I’m not. Yes, I am! Hoo hoo ha ha ha! Hillarious! Maybe God plays Peekaboo with us. Are we, God’s children, looking for the surprise return of God’s sweet presence? Are we confidently waiting and ready? Laughter is relational. Ever feel the burn of someone else not laughing with you? I remember being in a theater, watching a movie that Scott and I found hilarious. We hooted with laughter until we noticed that no one else was offering even a chuckle. Awkward! Laugher requires vulnerability. Nobody looks respectable when their mouth is agape, their head is thrown back, and they're making weird sounds. Cool! We need not take ourselves seriously. Friend, if you feel the bleh, trust that God is still present and will suddenly show up to surprise you with joy. As you wait, cultivate laughter. God is your loving creator and parent, this game of spiritual peekaboo will end well! -- Pastor Rebecca
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AuthorMost of the blog articles are written by our Rector, The Rev. Rebecca Ragland Archives
September 2024
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