Yesterday we went to McAllister’s Deli after worship to get something to eat on our way to the airport. When I was finished eating, a young man came to our table and asked if I was finished so he could take my plate. I said I was and he grabbed my plate. When he did so the fork on my plate fell to the floor. He didn’t hesitate, but squatted down immediately and picked it up.

After he walked away, Cheryl laughed. Not at him but at us. She noted how quickly he went down and popped right back up again. I saw her point. These days, when I drop something, I ask myself how badly I want it before deciding if it is worth bending over. My knees are getting less cooperative all the time. I don’t kneel down or get down on the ground to work on something without an exit strategy!

After we arrived at the airport, we were waiting in the seats at the gate for our flight to Omaha for the LWML convention. Cheryl was looking over some papers from her backpack, and as if to prove her point, her container of pens and highlighters slid off her lap and fell between the seats. It bounced to an area between the two rows of seats where I could not reach it without getting down on my hands and knees. It was bad enough the first time, but she did it again about 10 minutes later! After the second time I took it away from her and told her she was not allowed to keep that on her lap any longer. We both laughed again.

I thought of these passages.

Proverbs 15:13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:15  All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.

Proverbs 15:30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.

Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Cheryl and I have laughed a lot together over the years. I think it comes from the peace and joy we have in our lives knowing Jesus. He is the one who gives us cheerful hearts. Knowing that He did everything we need to be forgiven for all our sin and spend eternity in heaven with our Maker changes the way we face things. Like bodies that are aging.

I’m still waiting for the Good News to bring health to my bones, especially my knees. But I know the Good News of Jesus has given me the spiritual healing I so desperately needed. So I’ll keep laughing with my wife as long as I can.