|
Some of the Best Medicine The other day, at a time when I was in need of a good laugh, a friend emailed a story to me. I’d like to share it with you. One day, an atheist was taking a walk through the woods, admiring all that the "random process of genetic mutation" had created. "What majestic trees! What powerful rivers! What beautiful animals!" he said to himself. As he walked alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the bushes behind him. As he turned to look, he saw a seven foot grizzly bear charge towards him. He ran as fast as he could up the path. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the bear closing in on him. Terrified, he tried to run even faster. At this point, he was so scared that tears were coming to his eyes. As he looked over his shoulder again, the bear was even closer. His heart was pumping frantically as he tried to run even faster, but he tripped and fell on the ground. He rolled over to pick himself up and saw the bear right on top of him raising his paw to kill him. At that instant he cried out, "Oh my God!" Just then, all movement stopped. The bear stood frozen in time and space. The forest was silent, and even the river stopped moving. A bright light shone upon the man, and a voice came out of the sky saying, "You have denied my existence all of these years, even teaching others that I don't exist. You even credit my creation to a cosmic accident, and now, do you expect me to help you out of this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer?" The atheist, ever so proud and self confident, looked into the light and said, "It would be rather hypocritical to ask to be a Christian after all these years, but could you instead make the bear a Christian?" "Very well," said the voice. As the light went out, the river ran, and the sounds of the forest continued. The bear put his paw down. Then, as if by some miracle, the bear brought both paws together, bowed his head and said, "Lord, I thank you for this food, which I am about to receive." We live serious lives, engaged in the daily process of making and acting upon decisions which affect those lives and the lives of those around us. Often, in the midst of all this somber reality, we simply forget to laugh. Even a story as silly as the one you just read, can serve as a needed release from the crushing burdens of our daily existence. I know that I often fall prey to the act of taking myself too seriously, failing to see the humor in the pitfalls and unexpected setbacks of the day. At times, a good laugh may be the only recourse we have, and, you know, that isn’t such a bad thing. When I think of how patient God has been with me over the years, I can’t help but believe that we worship a God who has an incredible sense of humor! Maybe, God would like to share a good laugh with us from time to time. Hey, it couldn’t hurt! A few years ago, the world lost a very special person. He was a painter of clowns, in addition to being a wonderful one himself. He wrote short stories, poetry, and music. But probably most of all, he is remembered and loved as the man who kept millions laughing for more than 70 years with his wonderful sense of humor. His name was Richard "Red" Skelton. These words, spoken by him, probably best described how he lived his life, "I personally believe we were put here to build and not to destroy. So if by chance some day you're not feeling well and you should remember some silly little thing I've said or done and it brings back a smile to your face or a chuckle to your heart - then my purpose as your clown has been fulfilled. Goodnight and may God bless." Let’s not forget God’s gift of laughter and the beauty it brings as we give it to others. Grace and peace, Joe Questions
about Middletown United Methodist Church should be sent to the Church Office. 7108 Fern Circle · Middletown, MD 21769 |