Get Your “phil” Of Laughter - The One Year Mother-Daughter Devo
Get Your “Phil” of Laughter
Bible Blast: Read Luke 12:22-31
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25
Punxsutawney. It’s pronounced “punks-a-tah-nee,” and it’s a town in Pennsylvania. It is a small town with businesses, restaurants, and parks just like any other town, but it has one thing no other town has: Phil, the groundhog.
Since the 1800s, folks in Punxy have carried on a tradition of watching this groundhog come out of his hole on February 2, Groundhog Day. The story goes that if he sees his shadow on that day, winter’s not over yet. If he doesn’t see it, winter’s over, and spring is on its way. On February 2nd, Punxsutawney Phil is the groundhog to watch. If you can’t get there to see him in person—I mean, in rodent—don’t worry. You can watch him come out of his hole live on TV.
As it turns out, Phil’s shadow isn’t the most secure way of forecasting the weather, but a lot of people have a great time celebrating that furry little guy.
So many people want to know what’s going to happen in the future. They don’t want any surprises, but a woman of God doesn’t live that way. As our focus verse for today says, “she laughs without fear of the future.” When we live a life of faith in God, there’s no need to look for someone to predict the future. The Bible tells us over and over not to worry, and Matthew 6:34 specifically tells us not to worry about the future: “Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
When the woman in Proverbs 31 is laughing “without fear of the future,” it means she’s joyful about what is happening now instead of obsessing about what might happen in the future.
Is there something you have been worried about recently? You probably won’t find the answer in a groundhog, but you could find some peace if you just focus with joy on today and tell God that whatever he has for tomorrow will be okay, as long as you have him.
Girl Gab: Mom, say this tongue twister as fast as you can three times in a row: “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”
All right, Daughter, now it’s your turn. Now both of you do it again while holding onto the tip of your tongue with your fingers. As you laugh together, remember God wants you to be a woman who laughs in spite of what the future may hold.
