May 18, 2009

She Can Laugh At The Days To Come

Proverbs 31:25..She can laugh at the days to come.



As a little child I was known as an old soul, due to the fact that much of my time was spent sitting and listening to the older women chatting together on our front porch. We lived out in the country and porches would be the gathering places for the ladies in our neighborhood, and the women in our families. While the rest of the children played, I would sit and listen to their stories and shared memories. I would see tears of joy, as well as pain, something in my spirit seemed to draw me to their side.

I think what fascinated me the most was the laughter that would fill the air each time they would gather. Their laughter was truly infectious, their
times together a joy to be around. To be in the company of women who could still fill their lives with laughter despite times of hardship, struggles, and pain, was a testament of Proverbs 31:25.

I remember thinking how beautiful they looked as they laughed, t
heir eyes seemed to shine in a special way, I would admire the facial expressions of each woman, and looked forward to belonging to a group of women just like them one day. I think that is why I love the movie Steel Magnolias so much, they remind me so much of the ladies that would gather at our home, each with their own delightful, and funny personalities.

There were also those moments of serious conversations, and what words of wisdom I beheld and would grasped on to. This is when I started to realize how much women needed each other, yes even as a young child. How we can come to one another with a heavy heart, and walk away with a lighter heart filled with comfort, joy, and a true sense of sisterness. My young soul was being tended, shaped, and molded, by the wisdom and joy of these older souls.

Of course there were times when I heard the words, “go play” and that was my cue that it was time for older women only conversation. Proverbs 31:25 says, “She can laugh at days to come,” I also love the version from the message bible… “She always faces tomorrow with a smile.” I just started reading a wonderful book titled; “She Can Laugh at Days to come,” strengthening the soul for the journey ahead, by Valerie Bell.

She goes on to say, how no one ages successfully while ignoring the soul. She also states that in life, we must become aware of how we are forming spiritually, and it is never too early to begin to invest in the process of caring for our souls. I know my soul was being prepared, even as a young child for the calling the Lord placed upon my life, helping women of all ages, from all walks of life. It is a ministry I truly love, and enjoy with all my heart and soul.

Laughter is a gracious gift from God, it’s good medicine, reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, elevates mood, boosts the immune system, improves brain functioning, protects the heart, and connects you to others. A study reported that women laugh 126 percent more than men.


I now have the wonderful oppurtunity, as an older woman, to go back home and sit in the presence of women once again on a country porch, where we have tea, laugh, share stories, and encourage each other. As I look around, I see a couple of teens in our circle of women listening, and partaking in the laughter as well.

Here are some photos that I took with a group of precious women while having tea on a beautiful country porch, where I was asked to share a devotional I wrote and my testimony. Some of these women I knew as a child, and I was blessed to be in their presence once more. I know I can face each tomorrow with a smile, knowing my sistah's will be there, and we can laugh together at the days to come.




These were just some of the delightful goodies.



Each table looked so beautiful on this country porch.



This is an old plantation home with a wrap around porch, it belongs to one of the ladies who bought and restored it. I used to walk past this home as a little child, little did I know that oneday I would be having a tea there with new friends as well as those from my past.



Here we are just enjoying our fellowship with laughter.


Encouragement From My Heart Devotions 2009





17 comments:

Andrea said...

Laughter is good for the heart, the mind and the soul. It is a common thread amongst humans and we don't do it often enough. I love this post - thank you! Blessings!

Nicole said...

Oh what fun you all had! I love seeing pictures of my bloggy friends. It makes you'll come more alive to me. You have such a peace that passes all understanding on your face. Very refreshing. So glad to see how God has brought your memories from childhood of sitting on a porch with ladies come full circle, and I pray that your obedience to speak to them will be blessed in His time. In Jesus Name. Amen!!!

Love,
Nicole

Tammy said...

As I was reading, I was reminded of the laughter that would come from mom. She was always joyful and worry -free.

Then the Lord whispered "You need to laugh more, Tammy".

I needed this, Lorie...Thank you!

love and hugs~Tammy

Jennsmere said...

The Father must be sending me a message...our sermon Sunday morning was about laughter!

Okay, Lord....I'm ready, bring it on!

Bless you, sweet Lorie!!
Susan

La Espada De Dios said...

Rev 1:3 Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Please, visit to:
http://thewordofgodistheswordofthespirit.blogspot.com/

crochet lady said...

Lovely post. My dad was past middle age went I was born and I remember listening to story after story that spilled up from his childhood when I was just a kid.

I cherish the friendship of those older than me. I am currently in a Bible study where most of the women are at least 20 years older than me. I love seeing their faith and their reassurance of God's grace and being able to laugh at life. It is such an encouragement to me.

Toia said...

I am all for laughing and fellowshipping with women!!!

The plantation home is beautiful. I am glad you had such a great time. Thanks for sharing!!

From the Heart said...

You are so blessed. God is doing a wonderful work in you and through you. God knew you needed that time with those you feel close to. May His blessings continue to flow over you, in you and around you and into the souls and hearts of others.
From my heart to yours,
Luv u, AliceE.

Debra said...

I loved this post too, as well as the previous one. I need to get here more often!! Your porch sitting reminded me of my times with my precious grandma. I could hear the same stories over and over. It was HER I was hearing-learning from her about my ancestors, always having God touching the stories in a way that makes them treasures to me now. I miss those times. I can look at your photos with true longing in my heart!! Thank you , Lorie. You are a treasure.
Love, Debra

Stephanie said...

This post was such a blessing and it is so true. For years I felt that something was missing in my life and then one day I was in the company of several christian women. It is such a joy to share in the tears and laughters of christian women

Kay Martin said...

Yes, laughter sharing and love spread from one to the other. Thank you for writing and photographing such a wonderful post. Blogging is a gift from God when I am privileged to enter your world as you share. Thank you and I thank God for you and your heart.

Joy said...

what a beautiful porch and setting and food! it must be nice to listen to other wise women speak! it's also good to live in laughter as it brightens your face, lightens your heart and leaves you feeling refreshed =) as for the update...we are holding off to get a second opinion on the whole ARVD situation until after he graduates in June. then they will fly up to John Hopkins in Chicago to get the top 2 cardiologists to take a look at all his tests...but for now the doctors here say he doesn't look like he has that disease. please keep praying for him as we are quite not out of the woods yet. thanks for stopping by! have a blessed week!

Rachel said...

How absolutely wonderful.

Smiles,

Rachel

Rilda said...

Only for such a time as this my sistah can this be fulfilled. What a blessed it time with others who care and share just as you. Being real with each other so we all can grow with love. Such a precious and unlifting post. Love you, rilda *U*

Michele Williams said...

Laughter is great medicine. I would rather laugh than cry too! Although a good cry is good once in a while, but laughter is so much more fun! Beautiful post my friend. Oh I would love to sit and listen to you and the ladies as well... even though I am one of the old ladies too! Beautiful home and tea. You are truly a gift from God. Happy Blog Anniversary to you too! Keep encouraging! You are truly a blessing.

Love,
Michele

PS
How are you feeling? Really...

Fannie said...

Oh, my. Such a familiar story and familiar scenes. Wonderful!

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

How lovely, Lorie! What a beautiful porch! I love to laugh myself and it is indeed good medicine! My hubby is very good at making me laugh; I'm certain that's why the Lord put us together. He knew I needed a mate who could make me laugh because I too was too old growing up. What a blessed time you had! Thank you for sharing and have a lovely week.

Blessings,
Sandi