 | I am the barber when it comes to cutting my three sons hair. Corban and Andrew both received one haircut from a "professional", but other than those two hair appointments, I have buzzed their heads when needed. During the summer months the boys get their hair cut outside because we just gather the hair trimmings off the ground and place them around the garden to keep small animals out. During the winter months they have to sit on a stool in the bathtub to get their hair cut. I can easily wipe the hair out of the tub after each one gets their haircut. |
A couple weeks back while I was using our new hair trimmers, I acted as if they had broken. Corban was the victim of my trick and, as you can see, I intentionally cut his hair as to imitate a balding man. As I was "trying" to get the electric hair trimmers to "work" again I told him that he needed to look in the mirror. I then told him that I couldn't cut anymore of his hair until we purchased another trimmer. His eyes show some concern because I had told him that he would probably have to go to school the next day looking like this! He couldn't believe what was happening to him.
After a perilous couple of minutes I told him I was just joking and the relief that came over that boys face was priceless. I then made sure the sides of his hair got the proper care they needed and he came out with another buzzed head.
We have a great deal of fun as a family. Humor can often times help heal hurts. It can also be rejuvenating to the entire body. Just last night Andrew, our 6 year old, wanted to know how many fig cookies he could eat. The other kids had asked if they could have one or two. When Andrew asked how many he could have I asked him, "How many do you want?" Instead of answering "Two" he was quick to say, "I want three!" We all laughed at his quick wittedness and he then received his TWO cookies.
I know that often times when we are hurting it can be hard to laugh or joke. I have experienced times in my life where it was hard to even break a smile during the day because of stress and even depression. I try very hard to have our home be a home filled with laughter even when things may be tough. When my kids smile . . . I smile. When my kids laugh . . . I laugh.
We must keep laughter and humor as a part of our lives. Enjoy the life that God has given to you. Can days, even weeks or months, be hard? Yes they can. Utilize the time that you have and make sure you smile. Often times their are many other people that are hurting more than you are, so you can be that glimmer of hope to help brighten their day.
One more quick story. On Friday I called my heart surgeon at Allegheny General Hospital to make sure he had received my echocardiogram from this summer. When the receptionist picked up the phone she promptly asked me, "Can you please hold for a moment?" I responded, "Yes, I can." After 45 seconds she came back on the phone and asked how she could help me. I then asked her if anyone had ever replied "No" to her asking to be put on hold. This question puzzled her as that wasn't a question she was anticipating on being asked.
She told me that, "Yes, I have been told 'No' before." I then asked how she deals with that and the conversation flowed forward from there. She stated that I must work somewhere that I place people on hold to help others. I told her that I am a pastor and that I can be pulled in various directions and be needed promptly regardless of other things going on. It's just part of being a pastor and I can relate in some ways!
We had a pleasant conversation for a few minutes and then I proceeded to ask her to direct me to the division I needed to go to. I thanked her for taking the time to talk with me and she then told me that she appreciated the fun conversation that we had on the phone. My call was directed to its appropriate division and I found out the my surgeon did indeed receive my echo. Mission Completed!
I didn't know this woman, but their was a person on the other end of the line that I wanted to help put a smile on her face. I told her I appreciated her work in directing calls and scheduling appointments for a number of surgeons. I threw humor into our conversation, of course, and I trust that she had a smile on her face when she hung up the phone.
Proverbs 17:22a says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Regardless of the day you are experiencing, let's take a dose of this together!
After a perilous couple of minutes I told him I was just joking and the relief that came over that boys face was priceless. I then made sure the sides of his hair got the proper care they needed and he came out with another buzzed head.
We have a great deal of fun as a family. Humor can often times help heal hurts. It can also be rejuvenating to the entire body. Just last night Andrew, our 6 year old, wanted to know how many fig cookies he could eat. The other kids had asked if they could have one or two. When Andrew asked how many he could have I asked him, "How many do you want?" Instead of answering "Two" he was quick to say, "I want three!" We all laughed at his quick wittedness and he then received his TWO cookies.
I know that often times when we are hurting it can be hard to laugh or joke. I have experienced times in my life where it was hard to even break a smile during the day because of stress and even depression. I try very hard to have our home be a home filled with laughter even when things may be tough. When my kids smile . . . I smile. When my kids laugh . . . I laugh.
We must keep laughter and humor as a part of our lives. Enjoy the life that God has given to you. Can days, even weeks or months, be hard? Yes they can. Utilize the time that you have and make sure you smile. Often times their are many other people that are hurting more than you are, so you can be that glimmer of hope to help brighten their day.
One more quick story. On Friday I called my heart surgeon at Allegheny General Hospital to make sure he had received my echocardiogram from this summer. When the receptionist picked up the phone she promptly asked me, "Can you please hold for a moment?" I responded, "Yes, I can." After 45 seconds she came back on the phone and asked how she could help me. I then asked her if anyone had ever replied "No" to her asking to be put on hold. This question puzzled her as that wasn't a question she was anticipating on being asked.
She told me that, "Yes, I have been told 'No' before." I then asked how she deals with that and the conversation flowed forward from there. She stated that I must work somewhere that I place people on hold to help others. I told her that I am a pastor and that I can be pulled in various directions and be needed promptly regardless of other things going on. It's just part of being a pastor and I can relate in some ways!
We had a pleasant conversation for a few minutes and then I proceeded to ask her to direct me to the division I needed to go to. I thanked her for taking the time to talk with me and she then told me that she appreciated the fun conversation that we had on the phone. My call was directed to its appropriate division and I found out the my surgeon did indeed receive my echo. Mission Completed!
I didn't know this woman, but their was a person on the other end of the line that I wanted to help put a smile on her face. I told her I appreciated her work in directing calls and scheduling appointments for a number of surgeons. I threw humor into our conversation, of course, and I trust that she had a smile on her face when she hung up the phone.
Proverbs 17:22a says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine."
Regardless of the day you are experiencing, let's take a dose of this together!
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