"Laugh harder, longer and more often..."

     Last Semester I took a class on Heaven and Hell, which really got me thinking about both in a way I never really did before. The idea of heaven really changed in my mind, and recently I've been finding that heaven is not simply after we die, but it can be here, now.

   I believe that because God has given us life here, and we can live in ways which bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. I hosted a Christmas party at my house this week, with many old friends and there was a moment where everyone was laughing about something funny someone had said, and the laughter was so real, and so beautiful. It was at that exact moment, I stopped and thought, this is what heaven will be like. Laughter about something so funny, and everyone enjoying God, and enjoying the goodness He's given us. 

        It was later that night we imitated each other's laughs, just for fun. It's amazing how different they all were, and how we all knew each other's laughs so distinctly. Laughing reminds us to not take ourselves and our work so seriously. It calms us down. In my opinion it keeps us sane too. Laughing is important because without it we would be sad, depressed people. Laughter is joy, and joy is the happiness resting inside regardless of whatever may be happening outside. Laughter is hope that life really is beautiful, and everything really is OK. Life goes on no matter what hard times may come. And true laughter shared with someone else, helps us to stop and enjoy life in the moment. 

This Christmas laugh. And, "Laugh harder, longer and more often than anyone else in existence"

Joy to the World! The Lord has come! He has saved us! Joy. Joy. Joy. What else shall our response be?