If you see me overly disinfecting my grocery cart and wearing a mask at the Super WalMart, it’s not you – it’s me. Please don’t take it personally or pick up the children and run. The reason for my recent Monk-like behavior is a chronic sinus infection and bouts of bronchitis that have been more frequent and severe than I’d like to admit, being diagnosed as a rare but serious immune deficiency. As I have otherwise been in excellent health you can imagine my dismay as the doctor explained: “You know how you keep a baby away from anyone who may be sick? Well, right now you’re the baby.” That was the bad news.
The good news is, thanks to the efforts of scientists at the federal National Institutes of Health, who back in the 1970’s began developing drugs to treat HIV and AIDS, with monthly visits to an infusion center and some IV therapy I’ll be healthy-as-a-horse again in no time.
Horse-health aside, the doctor went on to say that until I sufficiently bolster my immune system I’m a sitting duck for every germ that comes along. So I have been avoiding crowds, washing my hands until they are chapped and this past week spent a lovely, sunny day at University Hospital getting a literal “shot in the arm” from 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. The nursing staff was excellent, (thanks again Sarangin and Vera) all went well and, as Anne would say, “This is now, not then!” I thank God for the healing that is taking place in my body and look forward to my complete restoration of health.
As I watched the slow drip, drip, drip of my special elixir the thought crossed my mind how, without even realizing, I and a number of my friends have become spiritually deficient in joy. I suppose this is to be expected when day after day, in addition to our own personal struggles and concerns, we read hear and see the horrible mess our world is in, with no sensible solutions in sight. We are all are so concerned and stressed we are beginning to look like we have been baptized in pickle juice. Have we forgotten how, no matter how bad things are, one smile can light up a room?
I know our world situation is no laughing matter and that it is of the utmost importance for us to remain spiritually tenacious to our belief and hope in Jesus, the Son of The One True Living God, but I also know the importance of remaining radiant and appealing in a way that helps others want to know what it is that keeps us smiling.
The Bible tells us a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, and since humor makes me merry, I thought I’d help smooth some of your worry lines with a few funny quips from my dear friend, humorist and magician, Glenn Strange.*
- “80% of doctors agree, ‘Laughter is the Best Medicine.’ 20% are keeping quiet until they figure out a way to charge for it.”
- “My wife wanted a swing on our front porch. So, I hung a tire with a rope. Don’t know why she got so upset…it was a Michelin.”
- “The people who call themselves nudist and voluntarily get naked in public, do so because, no one ever asked them to get naked in private.”
- “Laughter never killed a laboratory rat. Well…in 2006 one did die shortly after a lengthy laugh, but he was 96, and had complained of shortness of breath and chest pains a day before.”
- “You can improve the flavor of strawberries, nuts, and apples by covering them with chocolate, but you can’t help a carrot.”
- Two little boys are in a hospital, lying on stretchers next to each other outside the operating room. The first boy leans over and asks, “What are you in here for?” The second boy says, “I’m in here to get my tonsils out and I’m a little nervous.” The first boy says, “You’ve got nothing to worry about. I had that done when I was 4. They put you to sleep, and when you wake up they give you lots of ice cream. It’s a breeze.”
The second boy then asks, “What are you here for?” The first boy says, “A circumcision.” The second boy replies, “Whoa! Good luck buddy, I had that done when I was born. Couldn’t walk for a year.”
And one of my personal all-time favorites…
- “It’s impossible to cause yourself pain by pinching your elbow skin. But, you can cause pain, by sticking your finger in your eye. I’ll bet, you’ll try one of these.”
Rejoice in the Lord this week – and then let it show on your face!
* Time Sensitive Wisdom- Sense & Nonsense
