“A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life” –William Arthur Ward
I may have lost it. My sense of humor that is. Do you know the guards at Buckingham Palace. The ones who stand guard like concrete statues.The ones you cannot get to flinch, to smile, to giggle, to break their poker face icey stares. That is me. If this mothering gig doesn’t work out I have a great chance of signing on at Buckingham Palace as the first female guard. You cannot break this stone-face stare.
I stand guard at the threshold of my home. These teenagers and occassionally our adult child have to pass through my icey stare and answer all the questions. How was this? How was that? Fun right. And I don’t blink. This job of mine has such dire consequences, if I stumble and fall, they ALL fall down.
Or so I believe. What if the first thing they see is a smile? Will they reflect joy. What if the first thing they are met with is a warm embrace. Will they reflect compassion. What if I warmly insert humor in my third degree line of questioning.
I am bone-tired of standing like a soldier, guarding my chicks like a stoic mother-hen. Wait can a hen be stoic. What if a grade slips, or a curfew isn’t met, or an errand isn’t completed on time. Or sunscreen isn’t worn, or a pill isn’t taken, or youth-group is missed to go support a friends soccer match. What if. What is the worst thing that can happen.
“A cheerful disposition is good for your health; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.”- Proverbs 17:22
I need to cheer-up this disposition of mine. I need a spirit of cheerfulness and light-heartedness. Pronto.
To remind myself that I had not lost my sense of humor I went and found a picture of myself smiling. Gosh it is so old. It may have been taken before Mayberry went into re-reuns.
I am going to find a recent one of me laughing so I know there is potential there.
This tightrope act. This thing we call balance. It is just plain hard. When to speak and when to listen. When to reprimand, when to remain silent. When to speak words of praise, encouragement, discipline,challenge,love, hope and pride. When to rein in. When to loose the grip, the grasp on these children we love so, and when to tighten and cinch in the boundaries.
When to press in on standards and conformity, and when to let loose to allow and even encourage creativity and individuality to flow freely.
I love what they are becoming and who they are becoming. In Christ.
But as it says in the Proverbs, “gloom and doom leave you bone-tired.” It is time for a season of laughter. Of joy. Of smiling and letting little things just lie.
I need humor to walk this tightrope of life. I may stumble and I may fall. I may slip up and fail. No, I will stumble, I will fall, I will fail, but I want to go down with a smile on my face. I want my children to see joy and laughter in my contenance.
I want them to experience Grace when they are in my presence. I want it to wear a smile.
And I don’t want to move to London this close to Mother’s Day.
elizabeth w. marshall 
Best advice Ever!! Thank you, E.
EWR
Oh your sweet words of encouragement bless me today! You may never know. Thanks for popping in. Its a pleasure to have you here. You are invited ANY time. Its a place of GRACE.
laughter if a gift from God!!!
Amen, sister. Just amen. I am going to get my happy on this weekend. Glad you are here today. Makes me full of joy, my friend.
the best medicine!
Thanks as always for stopping in. Its a pleasure always and everytime. And amen to the best medicine.
Did you type that with a straight face?
Ok I am nuts. Yes it was a straight but smiling face and I left out a word, best medicine…. Laughter Is the best medicine. I am going to watch a comedy tonight and go find my mind and my humor. They are hanging out together somewhere. Peace !It is a pleasure when you come visit over here. TRULY. Wishing Joy.
Enjoy your movie!! Thank you for supporting my blog too, I really love your comments…really thoughtful 🙂
I can’t go a day without my mrsbuenavida cause I smile and laugh and get inspired everytime. True that. I just blew up my pinterest board on humor.
I know I saw. lol.
Oh how I needed that one! Thank you! Going to find an index card right now…Proverbs 17.22 is going up! Where I can see it often. And that picture aint that old!!!!
You sweet friend. Thanks for reading it makes me smile all big. Yeah I love the message in this one. I love The Message period. I am going to have to lighten up. I am glad you “needed this one” Thanks for the kindness from your corner. I really love London but don’t want to move there unless they kick me out.
Just ran across this for the first time. How very inspiring your words are and I certainly agree – life is too short not to lighten up. I’ll be sure to keep checking in so keep writing. XXOO Betsy
Great gift this day have a sweet note of encouragement. So glad you came by and even better that you left kind words. They are the best part of blogging, hearing from sweet ones like you, my friend. Love to have you follow along on this adventure and tell anyone you think may want to pop over here too. ……it all looks like Grace, e
You do ask too many questions, but its ok because you know we secretly love it. You are so encouraging to all of us. This is a good one. Smile and laugh and we will laugh and smile with you. Sorry about this morning, don’t worry I won’t be lifting my arms today. Have a blessed day momma I love you
This makes my day all crazy special, just to have you read and write and bless me is off the charts cool in everyway. I do love you, my sweet girl. Go swimming all up in His crazy Grace today, the ocean that it is.