Jesus: A God Who Laughs With Me, Not At Me

Let’s pray together: “Heavenly Father, thank you for laughing with us and not at us. Thank you for being a good, good Father and for welcoming us as your sons and daughters. We want to know more about You today. Thank you for knowing me and for knowing. We love You. Amen.”

When my son Braden was little, we loved to wade in the tide pools at Birch Bay, which is along the Washington coast. One day we were walking along the beach together and he began to fall behind. As I continued walking, I heard the sickening splat of a small human body on the wet sand. I turned around to see him picking himself up. He had a huge grin on his face, and he said with a shrug, “I’m practicing my falling.”

We started to giggle, and before long we were laughing loudly together. As I think about that moment, I recount the number of times when I felt that God was laughing at me, not with me. Moments when I thought He was refereeing my pain and laughing at me when I stumbled. I can tell you now, that is NOT the Jesus I know!

As a Dad, I took no pleasure in witnessing Braden falling. Nothing inside of me said, “Good, maybe he’ll learn. Life’s full of holes. He better get used to it.” No, there was no excitement in the fall. But, I will tell you that there was great pleasure and pride when I saw his reaction! He got back up, dusted himself off, and chose to be a victor instead of a victim!

I know that Jesus laughs WITH me. The Jesus I know loves to laugh. He was the one who winked at people while telling them the story of wise and foolish builders, while in that very background, you could see the ruins of one man’s attempt to build a house on the beach of the lake where Jesus was teaching.

The Bible says, “His pleasure is not in the strength of a horse, nor his delight in the legs of man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (Psalm 147:11 NIV)

That’s Him! That’s the Jesus I know, and this is a true statement:

He delights in you! You are His miracle and He is proud of you when you overcome an obstacle and laugh at it because you know that He is both with you and is for you.

Braden is getting older now. He faces deeper holes and more daunting challenges. But, the Jesus he knows has not changed at all. What joy I have, listening to him laugh, as he takes on every challenge....with Jesus!

The Jesus that I know has something miraculous to say to you today. Knowing that He is your Good Shepherd, you can boldly believe His words:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

He refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths

for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me…”

(psalm 23:1-4, NIV)

He is with you and that is a miracle.

You are a miracle!

Your friend,

Grant