TRUCKING WITH GOOD HUMOR

Granted, the title of this blog is a lousy play on words but you're still reading and if you continue, it might make sense soon.   The musical sound of the ice cream truck drew us kids like ants onto the sidewalk.  I don't remember seeing an actual Good Humor brand but that didn't matter.  It simply meant sweet, cool yumminess on hot summer days.   

A smile is a curve 

that sets everything straight.

Phyllis Diller

More recently I heard the truck during the summer when our grandkids were here.  My eyes lit up.  Theirs did not.  So I asked, "Do you hear that?"

"Yes ma'am," placidly spoken.

"Do you know what it is?"

"Music?" they obediently responded.  (They must think Nana asks the most stupid questions.)  When I realized they didn't know, I introduced them to their first treat from the Good Humor truck!  Don't know why but it tastes better when you pay too much and get it delivered to your house with music!

For a good part of my adult life, that word humor gave me problems.  I knew it was built into my personality but it didn't seem to fit my role as minister's wife.

Humor is a wonderful way to prevent a hardening of the attitudes!  

 Joel Goodman

So I wrestled with it, tried to squelch it, muffled it but mostly in vain.  I'd still spurt out ridiculous statements at what felt like inappropriate times.   It wasn't that anyone glanced at me in disapproval.  They usually laughed.  But inside I felt like a big mouth who needed a personality transplant more aligned with church work.  

Love may make the world go round,

but it's laughter that keeps us from getting dizzy.

Donald Zochert

We served with many pastors over the years and some of their wives were soft-spoken, meek, submissive with grace and gentleness.  I was not.  I was the church Good Humor truck in high heels.  And I fought it.  

In this world, a good time to laugh

is anytime you can.

Linda Ellerbee

During our 20's and 30's most of us are learning to accept ourselves.  Sometimes, however, we define ourselves by roles--wife, mother, our job.   By the time you reach your 60's there's a freedom and joy in who God created you to be without straight-jackets of roles.   Several pastors and friends helped me hurdle the 40's and 50's of my life into self acceptance.  But one pastor went beyond that and actually applauded my humor as something the church needed.  He found me to be a blessing.  Thank you, Dr. Mike!

Humor is a presence in the world--like grace--and shines on everybody.

 Garrison Keillor

                                                               

That sounds strange even to me now.  But I truly never realized that my sense of humor was something God did on purpose for a purpose.  I subdued it.  He ignited it.  My pastor helped me release it.  As I studied spiritual gifts, this didn't seem to fit.  But then I researched encouragement and found it there!  Voila!  God didn't goof with me after all.

A person without a sense of humor

is like a wagon without springs--

jolted by every pebble in the road.

Henry Ward Beecher 

Like any gift or personality, I still have to control and sometimes tame it.  I tend to say funny things when I probably should not and  laugh louder than anybody.  But part of the process is learning how to embrace and use my humor to appropriately bless others.  It may be as simple as causing a friend to laugh under her load, writing a silly skit for church, bringing a word of encouragement through a joke, or finding the absurd in a dark moment.  I no longer struggle with this part of me but it's taken years to journey here.

I realize that humor isn't for everyone.

It's only for people who want to have fun,

enjoy life and feel alive.

Anne Wilson Schaef

Several of our grandchildren inherited my funny bone.  One of them KNOWS it, so he's far ahead of me on his journey.  He trucks right along in good humor.  Meet Katy and Dave's Andrew.

                                                                        

                                                                                                                            

I've sprinkled quotes on humor throughout this blog.  They may be inappropriate to the text at any given point.  Which IS my precise point.  As you walk through your day, use whatever God gave you to bless others.

Like a welcome summer rain,

humor may suddenly cleanse and cool

the earth, the air and you.

Langston Hughes

"Be of Good cheer!"

Jesus & Kathy