NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

April 25

A series of collaborative works with my mother-in-law, who died three weeks ago…

Scripture focus: How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? Should I bring an armload of offerings topped off with yearling calves? Would God be impressed with thousands of rams, with buckets and barrels of olive oil? Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child, my precious baby, to cancel my sin? But he's already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It's quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don't take yourself too seriously— take God seriously. Micah 6:6-8 The Message

Marion was the best at not taking herself too seriously. Strangers were often startled by her predisposition toward laughter at what others might consider odd times. While waiting on some particular testing during her last week in the hospital, she had a doctor who had a name that reminded her of pickles. Instead of keeping this to herself, she asked him, “Does anyone ever call you Dr. Pickles?”

“All the time,” he smiled in obvious good humor himself, and continued with the exam.

One of the ways we show proper respect to God is allowing room for a good laugh, even in a hospital room filled with bad news. Marion was uncommonly blessed by healthcare professionals who joined her in laughing through the rough spots.

At the memorial service, we sat waiting in the room behind the sanctuary, for our formal tribute to Marion’s life. We were telling stories and chuckling among ourselves when our Pastor joined us. “Have you guys moved from grief to joy already? Can’t you wait a few minutes?” His willingness to join us in celebration is one of the things that makes him a great pastor.

Even in the midst of bad news, laughter has proven to be good medicine. We learned from the master.


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