Laughter

You may very well be familiar with the Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change to the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

It is a powerful prayer that has changed many a life.

A friend once shared with me the “Senility Prayer.” This prayer was posted by an elderly woman on her retirement home door, and it goes like this: God, grant me the senility to forget the people I’ve never liked, the good fortune to run into the ones that I do like, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

That’s funny. And it is powerful in its own right – and that is in its power to make us laugh. You may have noticed that humor can help us deal with some of the toughest aspects of life. It breaks the tension, relieves stress, and it connects us on a deeper level. Science tells us that laughter can support the immune system, improve blood pressure, stimulate organs, and reduce pain.  

From time to time, I hope you can laugh in the face of life’s troubles. And by doing so, not only feel better – but be better. 

Let us pray: Loving God, we acknowledge that life is not easy. In fact, often it is downright challenging. We thank you today for the gift of laughter, and for the people in our lives who make us smile and laugh. We ask you to help us to find humor even in the darkest moments of life, and may it be a reminder of your love and concern for us. Amen.