Live Laugh Smile

It was our last school night and for the first time, I was wishing summer would wait a while. I loved everything about being an eighth grader-- my teachers, my classes, my friends, my school and, most importantly, the privileges that came with being the "big kids" at the junior high building. In less than 24 hours, I could call myself a "high schooler." But to be honest, I wasn't too thrilled. I was happy just being in the eighth grade, and I was really going to miss it.

My younger brother Matthew and I are 11 months apart, which means that he follows one grade level behind me. The poor guy probably got so sick of listening to me talk about how great of a day I had at school, what all I learned, the jokes we told in history class, and how totally wicked awesome it was to be a Hopewell Junior upperclassman. Okay, I admit that I found pleasure in making him jealous, but part of me really did want him to be excited about moving up the academic social ladder.

Secretly, though, I was the jealous one. He was going to be in eighth grade, and I wanted to spend another year at Hopewell. I would have given anything to switch him places. Too bad life wouldn't let that happen.

Tomorrow would be my last day of junior high, and I wanted to make sure it would be a special memory. Mom took Matthew and me to Walgreens to pick out cards for teachers. I probably read through every "thank you" note in the aisle just to be certain that I chose the one with the best wording. Once I finally found it, I grabbed eight of them and met my mom and brother at check out.

After we got home, I locked myself in my room for the next hour or so writing long, detailed, personal messages to each of my teachers. When I finished, I came downstairs and noticed Matthew sitting at the table busy addressing his cards. I asked to see one, and he got this stupid grin on his face. I thought, "Oh lord, this is gonna be good."

The card had a picture of a pink flower on the front and cursive writing that read, "With deepest sympathy."

I opened it up:

"I am sorry for your loss. Someone so special can never be forgotten. As you move forward, may you find peace in the memories."

Matthew's short, simple, scribbled note followed in the space below:

"I know you'll miss me in class. But don't worry, I'll be here one more year. Signed, your favorite student."

Knowing Matthew, I guess I can't say I was too surprised. It was perfect, hilarious, and all the teachers loved it! (I bet that was a first for them)

My brother has the gift of making people laugh. He teaches me that I can't take life too seriously. God wants us to experience earthly joy so that we look forward even more to living in happiness with Him in Heaven. He designed us to be creatures that laugh and smile and delight in the world around us.

I believe wholeheartedly that God has a sense of humor. For one, He gave me blonde hair... and I KNOW He gets a kick out of my, how can I put this, less-intelligible moments.

Laughter is mentioned all throughout the Bible, and the word "joy" alone appears over 160 times. Clearly, God cares about how we feel, and He wants to replace our tears with laughter and our mourning with shouts of joy.

Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine."

Life is too short to miss out on happiness, and happiness is an attitude we choose. Do you look for the bad things around you or are you a "glass half-full" sort of person? Do you look for someone's flaws or do you notice their good? When it rains, do you complain there is no sunshine or do you thank God for watering the flowers? When you lose someone you love, are you angry for the time you didn't have with them or grateful for the time you did?

Living a happy life starts by surrounding yourself with those who have a joyful attitude. When you laugh, you share the language of God and experience a little slice of Heaven. It draws us closer to Him and each other. 

Some unknown author once said that "a smile is like tight underwear-- it makes your cheeks go up." (Did you laugh? It feels good, doesn't it?!)

-Rachel