​Comfort:  A good laugh is sunshine in a house.
            I’m thankful for this saying, since my sense of humour is very highly developed. With my balance issues I learned at a young age to laugh at myself. It was either that, or die of embarrassment every time I fell down a set of stairs, or flipped into the water trying to get out of a canoe, or…! If the absurdity of a situation can make you laugh, then it can help diffuse a tense situation. I was blessed with a sister that had an acute “humour-bone” like I did so our family spent more time laughing than yelling. Of course, there is an appropriate time and place, and occasionally our laughter landed us in the doghouse. But even now, years later, all one of us has to do is say, “do you remember …” and laughter rolls again.
            It doesn’t have to be just funny to cause laughter. Sometimes a smile comes when I look at the flowers outside my house, or see a kind gesture happening to someone. A little kid stomping in mud puddles will always get a full-blown grin (as well as a desire to join them!). Most of all, the amazing skies God gives me morning and evening brings awe and joy into my heart. What are things that bring laughter and smiles into your homes?

​Church: Ask yourself, “What kind of a church would ours be if everyone was like I am?”
            My first thought when I read this quote was, “Ooh boy, we’d be in desperate need of a plumber, carpenter and electrician!” In other words, while I might be okay with drama and music, I’m very sad when it comes to practical or technical matters. Repairs are NOT my thing! So I can be very glad that not everyone is like me! A church desperately needs others who can do so many things I can’t do. But on the other hand, I do have some talents that are valuable too. I seem to be able to talk to most people, and that’s needed as well. I think it’s important to acknowledge honestly what talents God has given you, and be thankful for others with their talents.
            I also think this is a good reminder not to be too judgmental. I know my weaknesses and my failings. If I want people to accept me for who I am, faults and all, then I need to do the same for the others I see every week in church. God created us all; He knows we need each other’s strengths both in the spiritual realm and in the physical day to day needs. What are things that you are able to do easily? How do you use them to help others?