I displayed a sign proudly on my desk at work that said, “Ask me for the laugh of the day.” I would share a silly joke with any innocent bystander willing to take me up on the offer. Laughter rippled across cubicles as I shared cheesy jokes that should never see the light of day. Shortly after I started spewing out jokes, I began an intensive nine-month healing journey to recover from pain in my past. Dejected and deflated, I tucked the sign away in a drawer.
For a season, life lost its color and I lost my laugh.
A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:13)
My spirit had been crushed, but Jesus longed to restore my brokenness. As He tenderly returned laughter to my life, a new fervor erupted inside of me to loan laughs to others that may have lost their laugh along the way too.
Laughter can’t erase our pain, but it can ease it. This revelation birthed the Laugh Stand.
I woke up itching with excitement. I had that old, familiar feeling of a kid on Christmas morning who bubbles with anticipation over the thrill of what the day will hold. This would be the day a dormant dream became a reality.
My mom and I loaded up the Laugh Stand in the back of our truck and headed to a popular lake. As we assembled all the pieces to our Laugh Stand, a curious passerby would inquire, “Oh, setting up a lemonade stand?” With a smirk on my face, I would respond, “We’re actually setting up a Laugh Stand.”
Their puzzled looks were priceless when hearing the traditional lemonade stand was swapped for an unconventional laugh stand. My stomach ached from laughter when I asked evasive walkers, “Would you like to laugh today?” While laughing, they automatically shook their heads and responded, “No,” thinking I must be selling something.
All the people we loaned laughs to blurred together until Lisa rode up on her bicycle. She teared up when she discovered our comedic attraction was a mother-daughter effort. Lisa divulged she was riding around the lake thinking about her mom that passed away years ago. We were like angels to her. Letting the tears flow, she warmly embraced my mom.
A piece of her heart found comfort at the foot of the Laugh Stand.
Then there was Frankie. I spotted him early on, far away in a chair gazing at the lake. He slowly inched his chair closer to our Laugh Stand until eventually his curiosity consumed him and he came to check out the activity. I could sense something downcast about Frankie, so I gently asked him, “What brought you to the lake today?”
With hesitation, he shared how he visits the lake daily since he lost his best friend in a car accident. As we chatted with Frankie between other Laugh Stand visitors, I felt that nudge to pray for him. Nervously, I asked him how he felt about prayer. When he told me he loved prayer, I asked if we could pray together. Hands joined, the three of us lifted up our prayers to heaven and there Frankie wept, pouring out his pain through tears.
His bottled grief was released at the foot of the Laugh Stand.
God took the Laugh Stand and transformed it into an expression of His glory. We all have a Laugh Stand waiting to be ushered into this world. It’s a place where passion meets purpose. The moment when what we were created to do merges with who we were created to be. We feel fully alive for once, all our senses are stirred and there’s a buzz in our spirits that can’t be contained.
I almost let this dream die inside of me. I would have missed out on such meaningful moments. There’s something inside of you that this world desperately needs. Maybe it’s been forcefully stifled, carefully stuffed or temporarily stolen. But it doesn’t have to say that way. May a resurrection occur in our lives that will bring our dead dreams or buried joy to life again.
Leave a Comment
Mary Geisen says
Thank you for this gift today! Your words and story are beautiful. Easter blessings to you.
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read this post! Many blessings to you too, Mary.
Anastasia Corbin says
Thank you for this devotional! It’s a powerful reminder that we all need laughter in our lives.
Tiffany Kavuma says
It really does do something for the heart. Thanks for the encouragement, Anastasia!
Crystal says
Thank you
Crystal says
Thank you For some of us, our laugh stands have been buried by harsh comments that sting even years later, combined with circumstances. However, you are correct n reminding us that we each have a gift that the world needs. We aren’t too much, or too little – we are perfect because we have been washed in the blood of Jesus and created by God. We are perfect in His eyes, so it’s perfectly okay to be who we are and be/share/give/live that gift.
Thank you for the reminder!
I needed it.
Tiffany Kavuma says
Crystal, I’m hoping today that your “laugh stand” comes to life and that no person/circumstance would deter you from living the abundant, fulfilled life Jesus has for you! Thank you for sharing your authentic words with me. Keeping loving & laughing. <3
Sarah Seiz says
I LOVE your idea of the Laugh Stand!!! Humorous and Healing. Silly and Spiritual. Well done Tiffany:)
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you, Sarah! I guess God made me a goofball and glad I can share that with others!
Marian says
I love this. How beautiful. Thank you for letting God’s goodness pour out of you in such a tangible way.
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you for reading and gifting me with a sweet comment too, Marian!
Cheryl says
THANKYOU …for the smile I got on my face as I read your post… Yes, laughter can be the BEST medicine.. I actually took a course offered at the university on laughter… Wow Just look at yourself in the mirror every morning and start laughing… Or get a bunch of ladies lying QUIETLY on the floor and all of a sudden…someone starts giggling…and it snowballs….
Love your post… HAPPY EASTER ✝
Tiffany Kavuma says
Cheryl! I need to enroll in that course. It sounds like my kind of class. It would be funny to know if you can fail a laughter class. Thank you for sharing with me the joy laughter has brought to your life. Happy Easter!
Lori says
Thank you for sharing. I never knew the stories of Frankie and Lisa. I only knew it was a good day. I’m proud of you and your journey Tiffany. ❤
Tiffany Kavuma says
I don’t think I could fully put into words how meaningful the day actually was…until now. I’ve always wanted to write a blog about the experience, but glad I never did because now I could share it with more people who might need the encouragement too! 🙂 Thanks for your constant love and support, Lori. My life is better because you are in it!
Debbie McDowell says
Thank you for sharing this story! It’s very encouraging and I’m already wondering how I can weave this into my workdays. Little things mean a lot so I try to smile or encourage people everyday. This is such a creative idea! It had to be from God! He’s really blessing you and others through you! So awesome!!!
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you, Debbie! Before I acted on the laugh stand when I shared the idea one person said it wasn’t from God. Isn’t that something? I’m glad I listened to the Shepherd’s voice on this one because I saw the difference it made in lives that day. Now, if only I could figure out a way to quit my job and do the laugh stand full time?! I hope you find ways to carry joy into your workdays and uplight those around you. Thanks for this sweet comment.
Angie says
Beautiful message Tiffany and I loved the sharing with Lisa and Dave. Let me work on my ‘laugh stand’ too.
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you for taking time out of your day to read and leave a comment. It truly brightens my day!
Sharon says
What a wonderful idea. Laughter is something that should never part from our lives, seeing as the Bible says that God too laughs (paraphrase). Thank you for sharing this.
Tiffany Kavuma says
One of my favorites is in Proverbs. She laughs without fear of the future. Let me try and live that out now 🙂 Thanks for your kind comment, Sharon.
Elana Brownfield says
It never ceases to amaze me how creative God is with the ideas he gives us to further his kingdom! I think a lot of times we ignore these nudgings from the Holy Spirit because we are either too distracted or don’t think it’s actually part of God’s plan and will for our life. We put God in a “box”. God has gifted each of us with awesome and unique gifts to use for his kingdom, hasn’t he!?! My gifts deal with teaching, encouraging, and the visual arts. This has gradually led me to my current exciting and passionate purpose, a new visual art ministry web site that’s main purpose is to spread the love of Christ with others. Looking back I think I’ve also had some God inspired “laugh stand” projects along the way that led me to where I am now. I wouldn’t be too quick to dismiss your gift of giving laughs and “being goofy” as not part of God’s bigger plan for your life.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, “ declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55:8-9
Tiffany Kavuma says
Elana, I couldn’t agree with you more. I almost ignored the idea too, but it kept coming back into my mind. I remind telling people that I just needed to “get this idea out of me” to feel released from it. Looking back, I have no doubt it was a unique idea deposited inside of me from God. Hopefully, there are more adventures like this one ahead.
Your gifts sound like such the complete package! I admire all those that are gifted in teaching. Nothing fires me up more than hearing people are living out their purpose on this earth! I’m so glad you’ve found yours and are actually doing something about it. 🙂
Carol says
Joy and laughter are such precious gifts to enjoy and to share. Some days all I have to share is a smile and it is always returned.
Tiffany Kavuma says
I couldn’t agree more, Carol. A laugh goes such a LONG way. I used to pump myself up for work and say, “Make sure you wear your smile to work today, Tiffany!” It makes a difference.
Joey Rudder says
Thank you, Tiffany. What a beautiful post! You had me smiling and excited for you, then crying and imagining Lisa hugging your mom. And Frankie, how you prayed with him. Oh my, what a blessing your dream has been for them…and so many others I’m sure! God bless you (and your mom!). Keep laughing, hugging, and praying!! And please keep sharing your story. 😉
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you, Joey! It truly was one of the best days of my life and so much sweeter because I had my mom by my side. Thank you for the reminder to keep laughing, hugging and praying. That sounds like a recipe for amazing moment.
Denise Douglas says
God created us all for his purpose and he created laughter to bring joy, it is amazing that you tapped into your special calling. Keep on doing the work of the Lord!
Tiffany Kavuma says
Thank you, Denise! I love seeing how God has uniquely wired his children. We truly are a body of many different parts! God bless you.
Beth Williams says
Tiffany,
God plants dreams inside all of us. We tend to get busy, believe lies that we aren’t capable of doing them, & ignore the Holy Spirit’s working. This world needs us to use our God given talents & dreams. People are hurting & need someone to shower His love on them. Our country is crying out for His peace & love to be shown. Let’s use out talents to spread His love & further His Kingdom!
God bless you for heeding the Spirit’s nudges & going forth with the Laugh stand. This world is angry, sad & full of angst. It needs laughter to lighten the mood & lift our spirits. Thank you for praying with Frankie. God knows what we need & put you in the right spot at the right time!
Blessings 🙂
Shelby Bland says
I used this article to inspire a teammate of mine to pursue his “out there” ideas that combine his passion and purpose. He was speechless afterwards. Thank you for being brave and proactive in being the woman that God has made you! Much love for you sister!