Chris Somebody

Today's thought recalls an entertaining conversation Sherri and I shared this week on our drive to Kansas City. We were on our way to pick up our son Jake from the airport there. His college basketball team was returning from a Las Vegas tournament and we were excitied to get to see him again.

As we drove we listened to cds we had brought along for the trip. An hour into our trip I slid in Chris Rice's greatest hits and started to listen. This is where our conversation begins.

Sherri: Who is this?
Keith: You know his name, I'm not going to tell you.
S: I know- he sings the 'Cartoon Song'.
K: We saw him in concert.
S: Yeah, in Elmwood Park. I still can't think of his name- I know it, just can't think of it. Give me a clue, what's his first name start with?
K: C
S: Chris? Yeah it's Chris. Chris Something. Chris Somebody. I still don't know. Give me another clue.
K: Food.
S: Chris Banana, Chris Strawberry. I still don't know. Chris Hamburger. Give me another clue.
K: Asian favorite food.
S: Noodles. Chris Noodles.
K: Stop, that's not right.
S: Chicken. Chris Chicken
K: When did chicken become the favorite Asian food?
S: Raman, Chris Ramen!

The thought of Ramen soup being the favorite food of Asian people everywhere just struck me as absolutely hilarious and I began to laugh so hard I asked Sherri to stop guessing.

K: Stop, just stop, you're killing me.

Then in a moment of revelation one could clearly see on her face long before she said it, Sherri cried out-

S: RICE!!! It's Chris Rice!

And with that we shared a 'you had to be there' laugh that lasted minutes, the kind that waters your eyes and comes from the very bottom of your belly. The kind of laugh that doesn't go away quickly as it cleans the soul and makes a memory.

We need those good laughs every so often don't we? I mean life can be hard- we know that at our house especially during the past rough week of chemo. And yet God has given us the gift of humor and laughter and joy. My very lifeverse starts with 'Be joyful always' (1Thess 5:16).

Be joyful always reminds me to enjoy the ride. Life is a great gift to be enjoyed, not endured. LOL is more than a teen icon. 'Laugh out loud' should be a Christian way of life. The Bible reminds us over and over of the joy that comes from having a Savior who loves us, who offers forgiveness and grace and eternal life.

It's no accident that the angels announced Jesus' arrival by telling shepherds they had 'good news of great joy'! At the very begining and at the very core of our faith is a message of joy! You know, bring a smile to your face, contain your happiness kind of joy. Maybe even share a laugh kind of joy. This is the kind of joyful faith I pray you share with others this Christmas.

Christmas Blessings,
kp