God's Laughter

Someone once asked me if I thought God ever laughed. He and I grew up in the Baptist tradition, both taught to conjure up images of God with lightening in one fist and a big stick in the other. It was not a breezy, carefree question he was asking. It was one that was intrinsically responsible for the underpinning of the rest of his faith.

I said that I do think God laughs. All the time. Every day. Little kid giggles. Deep belly laughs – you know the kind that make you struggle to breathe? God has smiles that communicate knowledge of our situation, smiles of an assured love that cause a shake of his head as he watches us struggle.

I believe that God cackles, guffaws, titters, snickers and maybe even snorts. Wouldn't you if you were somewhere, watching this motley crew?

Mostly, I think God laughs when he sees my pious, outward struggle for holiness, mostly because all he really wants is my heart.

I think God might be a little prejudiced.

For once He asked me to join Him on a walk

through this world,

and we gazed into every heart on this earth,

and I noticed He lingered a bit longer

before any face that was

weeping,

and before any eyes that were

laughing.

And sometimes when we passed

a soul in worship

God too would kneel down.

I have come to learn: God

adores His

creation.

~ St. Francis of Asissi