Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead.” Stan Laurel.
I realize that many who are reading this have no idea who Stanley Laurel was. He was of course, one half of the comedy team “Laurel and Hardy.” Together, Laurel and Hardy would leave them laughing. On the big screen or live on stages across the world they would amuse audiences with their silly slapstick humor.
Stan Laurel quietly and humbly mentored the comic genius of Jerry Lewis, Dick Van Dyke, Peter Sellers, Marcel Marceau and Johnny Carson. Near the end of his life, Stan Laurel said, “If anyone at my funeral has a long face, I’ll never speak to him again.”
I would encourage you to laugh today. Seek out people who make you laugh. Laughter might not be the best medicine, but it certainly is good medicine. Every Sunday, I hope that we have an opportunity to laugh together. Does that mean that we do not take worship seriously? Does that mean that we do not take our mission seriously? Does that mean that we do not take the problems of the world seriously? It means that we do not take ourselves too seriously and we recognize that humor is a gift from God.
Laughter and tears are equally important aspects of the human journey. One without the other leaves us strangely out of balance.
Saint Teresa of Avila in the 16th century wrote, “From silly devotions and sour-faced saints, good Lord, deliver us.” And again, she wrote, “A sad nun is a bad nun. I am more afraid of one unhappy sister than a crowd of evil spirits.”
2025 is now upon us. It will be a challenging year for many in our community and around the world. Keep in mind that five years ago, unbeknownst to us, as we made grand plans for 2020, we were soon to journey into pandemic uncertainty and isolation. Together, we persevered through that dark pandemic season and our lives emerged to a new normal. It is my prayer that in 2025 TLC might be a place of joy, laughter, praise, generosity and peace. May we provide a safe place, a sanctuary for all who grieve and a place where the downhearted are comforted and encouraged to dance again.
Tomorrow we will consider the Christmas vacation of the wisemen 2000 years ago. I hope to see in church or online.
Blessed to be a Blessing!
Pastor Jim
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