31 Days..... There is love in laughter.

Yesterday I sat with a remarkable young lady and although I felt I would only stay an hour, before you knew it hours had passed. It was a morning of catching up and story sharing. And yet, the more I reflect on my time I am encouraged by the freedom she gave my spirit in my story telling.

I must back track a bit before I share anymore.

This isn't just some young lady. She is a sweet 12 year old that I met in the foyer of the church we were attending some 15+ years ago. She sat sulking because of being denied the right to wear make-up. Her mom and I had greeted each other inside the church when she told me that her daughter was just outside mad. That sassy little 12 year old has grown into the remarkable young lady I get to now call friend and encourager. She loves Jesus and daily wants to honor and obey His Word.

Which brings us back to yesterday.

The laughter came generously and gave much needed relief for the businesses our lives had already provided that day. We covered the typical small talk but then moved into the real issues of life: parenting, marriage and walking with Lord. As I sat sharing about one of my off spring's dating situations my friend sat intently listening with the occasional throwing her head back, deep in the gut sort of laughter.

Why ?

  What was so amusing about a situation in which I found such confusion and frustration?

But then I figured it out. This young woman is finding joy in my tales of parenting teenagers because of all the years I spent with her and her parents during her teens years.

So guess what? I threw my head back and joined in the laughter. Because after all you have to laugh in the teen years. As life goes with several children there are always lessons to be learned. We continued our talk regarding, believe it or not, another one of my offspring and their insatiable appetite for pushing my buttons and the boundaries. Even though my children are much older than hers, the wisdom and perspective she brought was encouraging.

As we left, we left each other not drained or perfected, but filled up and equipped for the day ahead. Plans were made for a family get together and more importantly plans were made for another throw your head back and laugh out loud kind of morning of coffee and stories.

Nothing says Gods crazy love is so good, so alive and so needed like a good ol' laugh with a friend.