"Live, Laugh, Love"

Reflections4Life March 22^nd, 2015

“Live, Laugh, Love”

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 81; James 1…

Live, laugh, love. Three small yet powerful words. Words we sometimes forget. Sometimes take for granted. And sometimes have no clue as to how or where to begin.

For some of us, it's far easier said than done. For others, it's a facade they live behind to hide the truth from the world of what is truly going on. To hide the pain, hurt, and disappointment; and even shame.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Move forward through difficult times by clinging to the hand of God. Allow Holy Spirit to comfort you, and teach you how to live, laugh, and love through the most solemn and painful times of your life.

Many of us don't even know where to begin. Our lives have been a series of monumental let downs. To live? What for? To laugh? At what? To love? Who? They struggle to love themselves. And to love others seems like a risk with very few benefits, but a whole lot of potential for heartbreak.

Our life's journey will be filled with many different paths and opportunities that we must choose. Hopefully, we make the wise decision. However, we do have a pension for not doing so all the time. Yet, even the wise paths still have its tests and trials. We will be faced with some difficulties, situations and circumstances that will have us questioning ourselves, and the ability to live, laugh, and love.

What I come to know for certain is, that those three small yet powerful words are a choice. Our choice. No matter what we face in life. No matter how difficult and painful our life journey may get; to live, laugh, and love is a choice we make.

As children, people choose for us. As grow, and hopefully mature, we make our own decisions. And whether the outcome is favorable or not, we still have a choice. We have a choice to respond or react. We have the choice to give up or press on. We have the choice to keep living life, finding laughter where we can, and continuing to love—give love, receive love, show love—regardless to our experiences.

There will always be hard times. We will more than likely be disappointed in life at one time or another. Our tests and trials will seem insurmountable. And that's when we must choose to continue to live, laugh, and love in spite of it all, and any previous painful experiences. It is a choice to move forward, or stay and give up. As children of God, we must remember: greater is He in us than he that is in this world. We can make it. No matter what it looks like right now.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. I choose to live, laugh, and love. Even when it is the most difficult thing to do. I learned that from my mother. And I pray that whatever is going on in your life, that in spite of it all, you will choose also to live, laugh, and love. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

Reflections4Life: "Remember the Laughter"

Reflections4Life, August 3^rd, 2014

“Remember the Laughter”

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting.” Job 8:21

Scripture Contemplation: Job 8; Psalm 126; Proverbs 14; Ecclesiastes 3; Luke 6…

There is so much going on in our lives. Things that we have no control over. There are situations all around us that can tear at our soul and weigh our spirit down. The last thing on our mind, or in our thoughts is to laugh. But, that is exactly what God desires us to do: Take some time to laugh.  Remember the times of laughter; for it will be your comfort.

 I declare and decree that this week’s Reflections will be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Allow the joy of the Lord to fill your soul and strengthen you. Though things may seem heavy and that there may be nothing to laugh about; take time to laugh. Take the time to open up your heart and find delight in at least one thing, and let the healing begin. Remind yourself of those things that brought merriment to your heart.

Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to laugh. It may feel as though there is nothing in your life to feel joy over or to laugh about. But there is, beloved. Even when we cannot see it, there is something to smile about. There is something to have joy over. And there is always something to laugh about. It’s just how you look at things.

We can take joy in the Lord. We can take joy in His promises. We can take joy in the fact that we are alive. We can take joy in the fact that there is a God, and He cares for us. Whether we understand the situations or circumstances we face, we can still have joy. We can smile with confidence that God has worked all things out concerning us. That, God will never leave us or forsake us, but will be right there to see us through. That is something to be joyful about. And when you are filled with joy, you will find that there are things that will bring laughter to your soul.

Remember the times in your when you laughed. Remember those days when your heart was light. Recall the people and things that brought laughter to your heart and soul. I definitely think there is a special place for comedians. For those who can bring laughter in the midst of sorrow and pain.

If you cannot think of a thing to laugh about, then I have a suggestion for you: Laugh at Satan! Yes. I said it! Laugh at the devil. Laugh at his lies and his attempts to defeat you when God has already declared you the winner. Laugh at his attempts to sidetrack you when you have fully yielded to Holy Spirit and are walking in the victory. Laugh at his tricky words and acts of deceits because you know that it is not you answering the door, but Jesus Himself. And when the enemy wants to remind you about your past, and discourage you about your future; then boldly remind him of his certain fate, as written in the book of Revelation. See how fast he stops laughing!

This is what I know, Beloveds; God is here for us and with us. There will always be situations in our life that will try to come and steal our joy and rob us of peace. There will be situations where there seems no plausible reason to laugh. However, we must learn how to hold on to the promises of God. We must learn to walk in the peace and rest of God, trusting Him to take care of what He said. We must teach ourselves to embrace laughter. To find those pleasant things in life and take joy in it.

For me, when someone I love passes, it is one of the most heart wrenching things, just as I know it would be with you. Yet, when I begin to think on the good of that loved one, and the times we shared together; I soon find myself laughing and remember the joy they brought into my life. I laugh at the memories, and embrace that joy and comfort that comes. Though my heart is heavy form their departure; it does not overshadow the love and laughter they brought to my life.

And beloved, this is what God wants us to remember: through all the pain and loss, remember the joy and happiness that occurs along the way. Smile at the good times. Cherish those times of laughter and joy. Because, in the end, it is those memories—of joy and laughter—that will bring you comfort and strength to move forward.

I decree that the spirit of peace and prosperity has found permanent rest in your lives. Remember the times of laughter in your laugh. Draw upon those memories and allow it to bring comfort to your heart and soul. Take joy in the Lord and his promises. Don’t allow the lies and the voice of the enemy to overshadow the voice and promises of God in your life. Take joy in the Lord. And remember the laughter, always. It will be a source of strength. You are Blessed. Now go…and Be a Blessing!

©2014. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

April Fool...Ha!

Are you a fan of Jokes? In my family, April Fool's Day is a no-holds-bar day! No one is safe—not even Grandmas!

My Uncles were crazy jokers! They got my Grandmother each and every time. I remember this one time they got my Grandmother so good; that she whipped their behind, but good. (I guess the joke was on them, huh?)

My Grandmother always advised her children that sex was for marriage. That, engaging in a sexual relationship is for mature folks. And, she definitely did not want no young girls coming to her house saying they were pregnant.

They (Uncles) came up with a crazy joke: tell my Grandmother that one of them got a girl pregnant. They were fifteen and seventeen at the time. Well, they proceeded to tell my grandmother this lie—she was none to thrilled. She screamed; she hollared; she tried to choke him. She asked him if he was crazy.

Not only did he say that the girl was pregnant; but that she had the baby already, and was downstairs waiting to come in, because her parents kicked her out. Now, I won't repeat what my Grandmother said—*$#*&#*—and the like! My younger uncle went down stairs to get the girl.

My Grandmother tried to compose herself—afterall, this was her grandchild, right? The girl came in holding the "baby" in her arms, wrapped in a white receiving blanket. My grandmother asked her to come show her the baby. She asked what it was. The girl said it was a girl. My Grandmother said, let me see who she favors.

By this time, my Uncles were starting to lose it. They were trying to stifle their laughter. When the girl placed the "baby" in my Grandmother's arms, she stood back. My Grandmother lifted the blanket up, and said: "What the—"!

My Uncles and that girl started howling with laughter. One of my Uncles fell to the floor, holding his sides. My grandmother was cussing, and called them every name she could think of. Inside the blanket was a baby chimp!

I was just a little girl when this happened; but I knew it was funny! My grandmother chased my Uncles around the house with a belt. I laughed so hard, I nearly peed my pants!