Laughter Is Good For The Soul

Luke 6:21 Jesus said, "Blessed are ye that week now: for ye shall laugh.

This past Thanksgiving I laughed more than I had in a very long time because my mother, Aunt, Uncle and cousins are so hysterically funny. I laughed so much my throat hurt but it felt so good to my soul.

I have been blessed with family members who know how to tell good stories. It is just a lot of fun to hang around them and listen to the stories over and over again.

Worry, negativity and criticism is just not a part of their nature but instead they are uplifting and loads of fun. Now that I am an adult and I see how dark and negative the rest of the world really is I see the importance of laughter. My mother and aunt were not as fortunate but instead grew up with my grandmother who was very negative and difficult. Instead of complaining about their childhood they have found a way to talk about it in such a humorous way that it keeps my grandmother's memory alive, which I love.

How wonderful to have such a gift of laughter in my life given to me by my family and I am forever grateful!

I took this picture of my Aunt Betty and my mama during Thanksgiving in the 1990's. We would stay in rustic log cabins in the Cumberland Mountains and spend our days telling stories, laughing, singing and playing Rook! Just having these two ladies together is all you need to enjoy yourself and have fun anywhere!

Where Do We Find Hope When We Feel Hopeless?

Encouragement comes in many ways....a kind word or deed, a beautiful sky or the ocean, the scriptures, poems, books, art, music, etc. In this journey called life we have days where we feel such a devastating blow to our hearts and emotions that cannot be explained and we may feel hopeless. Hopelessness is a very dangerous place to be and a time to make the necessary steps to do what we can to find hope and encouragement.

One of the best places to find hope is to find a good Bible believing church and attend regularly and you will be amazed at the difference in your life, your mind and emotions. I always tell people that cannot afford therapy to go to church where they will receive free therapy and if you apply the lessons learned,  it works!

We live in a day and age where we have access to every song or book imaginable on hope. Ask someone that you feel has a grip on life and see what they recommend and open your mind and heart to some healing. Helping others is also a way to bring perspective to our hopelessness because we will always find others who are worse off than we are and in need of what we are able to offer them. These are just exercises in finding hope because it does exist for everyone!

Often we just need to be reminded where to look for it....HOPE ~

                                                                                      Healing

                                                                                      Of

                                                                                      People

                                                                                      Everywhere

I took this picture of my youngest daughter with her husband and little one January 5, 2012.

We Are The Letter From God That People Read

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

In my morning devotions I read today something that my Pastor wrote: When people inspect our lives up close it gives them a better chance to see the reality of a life changed by the power of God's Word. They are close enough to actually see the Word in operation in daily life circumstances.

My family ingrained in me the responsibility I have to those around me and that our influence always be something that makes the world a better place. As a little girl I was expected to behave and make sure I was being a good example to my little brother plus watching out for him. I took that responsibility very serious because I adored my little brother. Having this mindset as a little girl is much like my mindset today with anyone that God brings into my life.

We play a major role in so many lives each day so let's not take that responsibility for granted or lose an opportunity to make the world in which we live a better place!

Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing. -Jim Rohn