This morning, I did my Jesus Calling devotional book. As I began to read it, I was amazed for so much of it echoed my blog last night. They say that if you’re on the right track with something, God will send you confirmation. I believe he did. Here it is:

“Learn to laugh at yourself more freely. Don’t take yourself or your circumstances to seriously. Relax and know that I am God with you. When you desire My will above all else, life becomes much less threatening. Stop trying to monitor My responsibilities – things that are beyond your control. Find freedom by accepting the boundaries of your domain.

Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life lightheartedly.

Do not miss the Joy of My Presence by carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Rather, take My yoke upon you and learn from me. My yoke is comfortable and pleasant; My burden is light and easily borne.”

So, when I imagined those big angels standing guard over me as I grocery shopped, and as I bathed Bijoux, my little white poofball Pomeranian, getting the poop off her rear end, as I laughed about that, Jesus was PLEASED because I trusted Him “enough to enjoy my life lightheartedly.” Absolutely cool. Jesus takes delight in the sound of my laughter!

Jesus wants me to stop trying to control things that are beyond me. He wants me to accept my limitations and quit trying to invade his domain (which only results in frustration and anxiety for me.  I become Atlas with the weight of the world on his shoulders)

Jesus wants me to LAUGH! He says it lightens my load! You know how we love to watch those videos on Facebook and Youtube of giggling babies? It makes us feel good all over! Well, doesn’t it just make sense that Jesus feels the same? We are made in His image! We love to hear our children laugh. Why wouldn’t he?

I LOVE that Jesus loves laughter! Frankly, laughter is music to my ears. I cannot imagine going to a Heaven that isn’t FILLED with the ringing of laughter throughout the realm! If that were not so, I’d have a problem. I wouldn’t fit in!

Years ago, Larry and I were guardians of a Russian teenager, Tony, a talented artist already, at sixteen. He stayed with us until he was nineteen. While he was living with us, I asked him to paint a picture of Jesus for my birthday, but not just any Jesus. I wanted a happy, smiling Jesus. I told Tony, “You KNOW that Jesus loved life! He LAUGHED! Tony, being a serious Russian toting that ‘Russian soul’ around which I think it very heavy, personally, went to the library and searched for some inspiration to do so. In the end, he told me he was Russian. He just COULDN’T. So he painted me a beautiful copy of Da Vinci’s Jesus. I loved it and always referred to it as, “My Jesus.” There are a few photos of Jesus smiling, but none were painted by Anton Shamenkov.

In summation, let go of things that aren’t in your jurisdiction. Laugh…..a lot! Got it? Put those files on Jesus’ desk, wag your tail in today and LAUGH! There is NOTHING you are anxious or fearful about today that won’t be taken care of by the time you get to Eternity….and without YOUR help, thank you very much. Worry and stress is OPTIONAL. You can go through life as Pooh or Eeyore. You’ll arrive in Eternity, either way, but one way, you ride first class, and the other way, you’re riding coach.

I hope you choose to ride up front……and sit beside me. Personally, I’m hoping the inflight movie will be a comedy.