That’s Funny
That’s Funny
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, “Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man?” (Gen. 17:17)
Are You Kidding Me?
Does God speak to Joan Rivers? We’ll probably never know, but He did speak to another elderly Jewish woman with a sly sense of humor: Sarah. Actually, she overheard what God had told Abraham, and the first response of both husband and wife was to laugh. When God revealed that He was about to bless this elderly couple with a son, they chuckled. God was a bit offended by Sarah’s lack of faith but not her sense of humor. He even shared in the family joke by choosing the name Isaac for the child (which literally means “he laughed”).
The Bond of Humor
Perhaps Abraham and Sarah had many other humorous exchanges that didn’t find their way into the Bible. Other biblical couples were also placed in situations that no doubt prompted laughter. Just imagine what the jailer’s wife said when her husband walked in the door with Paul and Silas. We can almost hear her say, “Should I set the table for two felons or four?”
Through good times and bad, humor permeates a marriage just like leaven works its way through a loaf. Laughter shared by a husband and wife ripples through an entire home, and it’s a precious gift to pass on to our children. So don’t let life’s troubles cause you to lose your sense of perspective or your sense of humor. Actually, maintaining a sense of humor can give you a whole new perspective on your troubles.
Bottom Line
A marriage grows stronger when a husband and wife share lighthearted laughter that doesn’t mock or tear down the other person.