Remembering to laugh.

The group I just finished hosting reminded me of an important aspect of ministry – laughter. They were an extremely energetic and high-spirited group from Michigan, and it was really fun to serve alongside of them at our different ministry sites. They loved to sing, dance, tell jokes (especially ones about cannibals and Helen Keller), laugh, and just play around. Don’t get me wrong, they were absolutely amazing at the work we did, and they always gave 110% at each job that was given to them. But, they had fun the entire team.

I think that I’ve been getting too caught up (if that’s even a bad thing) on the negative sides of inner-city life. I see and meet a lot of people who have lived and/or continue to live extremely difficult lives on the street, in shelters, or wherever. I get so frustrated with the systems that keep people in the unfortunate circumstances that they find themselves in, and I don’t understand why people in the government don’t do anything to help. I’ve even started to discern a very stong push towards public policy and legal affairs for those who cannot afford to fight for themselves. The fact remains, though, that I too often see the “bad” parts of life while I’m on the street. I’ve been ignoring the “good” parts.

Blythefield Hills Baptist has reminded me to see both sides of life. I should definitely continue to be angry, shocked, sad, and upset with what my friends on the street have to deal with on a continuing, daily basis. But, I should also continue to laugh with them, tell stories with them, have random dance parties in the middle of soup kitchens, sing random songs while serving food, and tell cannibal jokes while riding through downtown.

Life sometimes isn’t fair for some people. And, that’s unfortunate. We should never give up on them. But, we shouldn’t become so overburdened that we fail to see our own blessedness. God has given more than enough to me, and I should remember to use the gifts and talents that God has given me to serve those in need, and also serve my friends, family, and myself. I should continue to laugh.