Thoughts, Prayers & Art

As we step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on the immense gift of laughter. It has been a constant companion in my life, a thread that weaves through moments of joy and sorrow alike. For Lisa and me, laughter is a bridge—a sacred connection that draws us closer to one another and to God. Whether it’s a playful remark at the end of a long day or an uncontrollable fit of giggles over something utterly silly, laughter is the heartbeat of our relationship. It reminds us not to take ourselves too seriously and keeps us grounded in the present moment, where love and connection truly live.

One of my favorite family stories exemplifies how humor has shaped our relationships over the years. It happened when my oldest son was in high school, a time when our family was navigating the whirlwind of teenage milestones and growing independence. A producer from a well-known cable network had discovered my artwork on social media and reached out with an intriguing idea: a reality show centered on our family. At first, it seemed surreal, and we couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of cameras capturing our every move.

We sat down as a family to discuss the opportunity. While we toyed with the idea, imagining the possibilities, my oldest son was having none of it. He adamantly rejected the notion, firmly stating that he would not participate. His unwavering stance gave us the clarity we needed, and ultimately, as a family, we decided not to move forward with the show.

Looking back, I’m grateful for his insistence. Our family’s humor—raw, unfiltered, and sometimes wildly inappropriate—would have clashed with the lens of reality TV. To this day, we laugh about how our humor would have gotten us canceled before the first season aired. It’s an ongoing joke, a reminder of who we are as a family and the values that ground us. Our shared laughter, especially in those moments of reflection, strengthens our bond and keeps us connected in love.

But laughter isn’t just about shared moments with others; it also connects us to ourselves and to God. Sometimes, laughter surprises us in solitude, breaking through the quiet with its unexpected grace. I remember one morning sometime ago while walking the dog, a memory popped into my mind: during the family meeting about the reality show, my son muttered under his breath, “If they film me eating cereal, it’s over.” The deadpan delivery of his comment sent me into fits of laughter then, and it hit me just as hard on that quiet morning. There I was, standing alone on the corner, laughing out loud to myself. A passerby gave me a puzzled glance, which only made me laugh harder. In moments like these, laughter becomes a bridge to the past, a connection to loved ones, and, I believe, a reminder of God’s delight in our joy.

The spirituality of laughter lies in its ability to ground us in the present moment, cutting through the noise of our busy lives to remind us of what truly matters. It dissolves our defenses and strips away pretense, allowing us to be fully ourselves—unfiltered and unguarded—with those we love. In the sound of shared laughter, there is a sacred resonance, a reminder that we are not alone in our joys or our sorrows. It is in these moments of uninhibited mirth that we glimpse the playful and loving nature of God, who surely delights in our joy as a parent delights in the uninhibited laughter of their child.

Laughter binds us to one another, creating a bridge that spans misunderstandings and mends broken connections. It reminds us that love is not always solemn but is often found in the silliness of shared moments and the comfort of knowing someone else sees the humor in life, too. In this way, laughter becomes far more than an expression of happiness; it becomes a sacred act of communion. Every smile, every chuckle, every deep belly laugh draws us closer—to each other, to ourselves, and to the God who rejoices in our laughter, who created us to feel and express this beautiful, transformative joy. Laughter, in its purest form, is love in action, and in its echoes, we hear the voice of the divine reminding us that we are cherished and connected.

As we move into 2025, my prayer for you, dear readers, is that this new year brings you abundant laughter and love. May your relationships deepen in ways that surprise and delight you. May you find joy in shared humor, comfort in connection, and strength in the knowledge that God is present in your moments of delight. Here’s to a year of laughter, love, and the divine gift of relationship.

Happy New Year!