Lent Reflection #4 - Laughing Innocently

looking again, learning graciously, leaving deliberately 
but what on earth do I mean by laughing innocently ??

Today is Mothering Sunday, and for many people that is as much about the children as it is the Mums. 

I love it when my Granddaughter Jess or my great-nephew Arthur start chuckling. They cannot talk yet, but are clearly amused when adults blow raspberries, or tickle their toes. The happy laughter of children in the playground brings a smile to our faces. 

But think about the adjectives we often use for laughter 

• unkind laughter in the sports lesson when somebody fumbles a catch
• cynical laughter in Parliament when somebody on the other side says something
• wicked laughter [ok I have only seen this on TV dramas] when somebody is hurt, or killed
• nervous laughter from someone who isn't sure how to handle a tricky situation
• forced laughter when a person wants to seem polite-but doesn't find it funny
• hysterical laughter when somebody has absolutely lost control
• laugh-out-loud laughter when we are really amused

I want my laughter to represent pure joy - and never at the expense of anyone else's misfortune. Laughing with people, not at them. Laughing because it is a way to express my happiness. 

Children get that - their laughter is innocent, and gleeful.

There's lots of sadness around - but sometimes it is wonderful to be able to laugh together

Look at these two happy little cousins on the slide together - chuckling and waving. 

Sometimes we need to be more like little children!