Laughter and Comfort Zones

I couldn't make up my mind what to write about, I had two thoughts but actually, they intertwine as you will see....

I wrote about melancholy the other day and lest you think I go around gloomy and depressed ALL the time, I wanted to let you know--I don't.

It is interesting to note that all this week on the Jim Bakker show he has been discussing laughter and joy. We all know that: "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Prov. 17:22), "A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones" (Prov. 15:30), "All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast" (Prov.15:15) and "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit" (Prov. 15:13). I'm sure there are more.....but since I have the reputation for having long blogs....I won't look them all up and list them!

Now, about comfort zones.....Last night we went to church. Our church has youth services on Thursday nights--one in the main sanctuary for high school and up and one in another room for middle school. Last week we sat in on the middle school service with Alyssa to see what it was like. We played games (I actually complied when the leader couldn't get anyone else to volunteer and looked straight at me and said "Anyone? Even if you're 22 or 23?" Now, I know he was kidding!) It was fun. The room smelled of sweaty kids but I loved it. I can't explain it but I loved being with all those kids! I guess I love them because they are not afraid to be themselves--loud, goofy, gangly, giggling, restless, smelly--you know, full of LIFE! They aren't trying to impress anyone!

But last night, we sat in on the high school (and up!) hip hop service. Boy, talk about comfort zones! The music was loud. (I have to tell you, I love beautiful music as in Martina McBride, Alicia Keyes, Celine Dion-- -to name just a few). It is so totally different--the beats. My husband can really sing (beautifully, I might add) and anyone who can sing will tell you--beautiful it isn't and it's hard for someone who can sing (or in my case who appreciates beautiful voice and melodies) to put up with it.
But God was there! To see all these young people from multi-cultural backgrounds, black, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Heinz 57 (and a few of us white folk) movin' (Doug and I almost cracked up because the young man in front of us was flailing his arms in what can only be described as hip hop fashion) and groovin to the SAME worship songs you sing in your mainstream churches BUT with a hip hop beat--it just can't be described.....What amazes me is that God loves these people with tatooes, dreadlocks, long straight hair, skinny, fat, long baggy shorts or tight jeans, in short UNCONVENTIONAL looks (at least to us) AND they love him!

Then the pastor called for some rappers to come up out of the audience to do 8 bars (do I know what it all means--NO!) One by one they rapped spontaneously. I was amazed that they could DO that--make up rhyme on the spur of the moment. Of course, the raps were all about Jesus and what he means..... In between raps, we the audience would repeat the chorus. It was definitely an experience. Even Pastor Tommy did a rap--about the service upcoming on Sunday!

Finally, Tommy spoke on the "baggage" some people carry around with them through life, meaning hurts and unforgiveness.
Even though it was a serious subject, he cracked us up with his stories and illustrations.....laughter is good--like a medicine!


This morning I woke up with a smile on my face........