A Cheerful Heart

A Cheerful Heart

A cheerful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22

According to author Suzanne Woods Fisher, the Sugarcreek, Ohio, Budget has been published since 1890 and serves the Amish and Mennonite communities around the world. The national edition consists primarily of letters from mostly Amish and Mennonite “scribes” who write in on a weekly basis (more or less) to report on local happenings: births, deaths, weddings, visitors, the weather, the state of crops, and so on. Here are some humorous stories Suzanne pulled from its pages:

A baby boy was born to William and Roseanne Miller on June 24th, weight 9 lbs. 4 oz., length 23½”, named Daniel. This makes boy number eight with no girls. They were thankful for a healthy boy, but a little disappointed it wasn’t a girl. The same week the baby was born, the Millers hatched fifty-four guineas in their incubator. William said they are probably all roosters.

Recently Luke came in the house, flopped himself on the loveseat and said, “Mom, I want a whiskey.” “A what?!” I asked. “A whiskey,” he repeated. Keeping a straight face I said, “Are you sure you know what you are asking for?” “Yes,” he said. “It’s one of those things that you throw,” giving his arm a fling, “and it sails through the air.” “Oh,” I said with relief and much laughter. “Maybe you mean a Frisbee.” “Yes, that’s it,” he said.

Did those bring a smile to your face? Many people wrongly assume that the Amish are stoic and stern simply because they are meek and mild, but they do have funny bones, and they find moments of humor in everyday life. They observe, laugh, and share funny stories with friends and in places like the Budget.

Do you need some cheerfulness in your life? Carry around a small notebook and write down humorous things you see during the day. Then share your observations with family members or friends. Not only will you start seeing life in a brighter light, but you’ll also put a spark in someone else’s day.

Dear heavenly Father, You’ve given us so many gifts, and today we thank You for the gift of laughter. I’m so glad that serving You doesn’t mean we have to put away our smiles!