“Nothing you wear is more important than your smile.” ~ Connie Stevens, 87, American actress and traditional pop singer.

The wheel spun and it landed on this day, October 1, 2025, the very one you and I have to work on. I was raised up in Church probably beginning as an infant. The persuasion of my folks was a form of fundamentalism that featured the hammer on top of the head for getting out of line. These were not bad people. They taught what they had been taught from God's Word. Do this or God will get you. This means we never really got much in the way of insight into God's mercy, His grace, love, and compassion. We would have never imagined, ever, a smiling Jesus or even more radical, Jesus laughing. While obedience is a major theme of The Scriptures, there is a whole account of God and His Person that gets lost when every lesson or sermon deals with the avenging God. At different times I was exposed to a form of Hyper-Calvinism that pretty much destroyed any and all individualism, making people more or less robots, (before that term was in wide use). I mention this because there's much more to the walk with Christ than the foreboding hammer waiting around every corner. Do I believe Jesus was serious. Absolutely. Do I believe He also enjoyed fellowship, food, and, a funny story at times. Absolutely. From my own experience, you might want to watch out for the modern Pharisees that expect everyone to toe the line except for themselves, of course. It is not having a balanced view as much as it is having a Whole Council of God view. I had a fellow tell me one time he was glad we had the New Testament God as compared to the Old Testament God. I told him, sorry, but you get the same God yesterday, today, and forever. I think about our Savior telling the story about forgiveness and the fellow with the huge boulder sticking in his eye. (Matthew 7:3-5) I'm pretty sure the crowd got a laugh out of that one and so did Jesus. Many years ago I heard the Christian Comedian and outstanding Gospel Singer, Mark Lowry, singing a song about Jesus laughing. It struck a chord with me because part of growing is unlearning stuff, and, while I don't have any bad feelings towards my parents and others who saw the truth is such a narrow way, I am glad God allowed me to see more. Oh, don't get me wrong. I still fall back on legalism at times because it's like riding a bicycle. You never do that? Good for you. Well, here are the lyrics sung by Mark to a song written by Lee Domann. (Look it up on YouTube, you will enjoy it. You might even smile.)

 

Jesus Laughing

There's a picture on the wall that brings me comfort
My weary eyes rest on it from time to time
Well, it's a sweet, unique depiction of the Savior
And it's the only one I know quite of its kind

 

It shows Him laughin', our Lord is laughin'
His head thrown back with joy upon His lovin' face
And in that moment, there's somethin' happens
I feel at peace just seein' Jesus laughin'

 

To the left and just above the picture
There sits a wooden cross on a shelf
Sometimes it seems just like the Lord is gazin'
Straight into the face of death itself

 

I see Him laughin', our Lord is laughin'
His head thrown back with joy upon His lovin' face
And in that moment, there's somethin' happens
Lord, I feel at peace just seein' Jesus laughin'

 

In my heart, I hold a gentle vision
Oh, one day when I reach the other side
He'll hold me in His arms and whisper, "Welcome"
And as I look into God's smilin' eyes

I'll see Him laughin', my Lord is laughin'
 

His head thrown back with joy upon His lovin' face
I'll lay down my burdens and feel it happen
An everlasting peace with Jesus laughin'
I'm gonna join the angels singin' and clappin'
Oh, the victory won and me and Jesus laughin'

 

 

Okay that's my version of me trying to emulate another Southern Gospel classic: 'Give the World a Smile Today'. And, you may be in a situation where smiling is not an option. I get it. Been there and done that. Weeping is a part of our sojourn and my heart goes out to those hurting. For the rest, rise, shine, give God the glory and how about a joy filled smile or two as you continue on this terrestrial ball. Got it? Good. May God add His blessings. Amen.