(The famous Chicken Potholder)
The game is called “Chicken Run”; the rules are simple. IT tries to tag another player with a chicken-shaped potholder, or he/she may throw the potholder Frisbee-style, and snag someone that way. If the chicken touches you below the shoulder, you’re the next IT.
I love playing this game with our granddaughters. Laughter is guaranteed– sometimes the result of a clever move that avoids the potholder, or when “You-missed-me!” is soon followed by a solid chicken-thwack.
(A 30-second rest before the next round.)
We don’t bother keeping score. When we get too tired to run, the game is over, yet everyone feels energized and relaxed. No surprise there. You’ve surely experienced how rejuvenating a bit of fun can be—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
But here’s an idea that may surprise you: Fun also rejuvenates us spiritually.
Fun can impact our faith.
I admit: Faith and fun are two words we seldom use together. We sometimes feel guilty for having fun, wondering with King Solomon:
But at least several benefits await those who embrace faith and fun together.
Before I list them though, please understand: I’m not suggesting a bit of fun will erase all pain and sorrow. Trouble clearly overshadows fun–at least for a season. But, praise God, joy does come in the morning (Psalm 30:5)!
The benefits of embracing faith and fun together include:
The Euphoria of Answered Prayer
God allows us to be a part of his miracles as we pray for the needs of others. What fun to see his answers come to pass—sometimes way beyond our requests or daydreams (Ephesians 3:20)! Several years ago, I wrote about just such an incident in “Part of the Process.”
The Pursuit of All Things Praiseworthy
God provides pleasurable fun for us to enjoy every day—even in the midst of difficulty. Such pleasures include: sliding into a fleecy robe on a chilly morning; catching the carefree laughter of children on the breeze; spooning into the season’s first bowl of autumn squash soup.
The Realization That God Engineers Circumstances—Even in Small Matters
Steve and I stopped at a furniture store to inquire about a recliner we’d purchased there, because the bottom and top sections seemed to be separating. A cheerful salesman showed us how to make the simple repair ourselves.
While there, we checked the clearance section and found a rug and another chair—absolutely perfect for our new home and super-bargain priced. What fun that we would “just happen” into that store at that time!
Even lovlier in person!
The Special Delight of Faith-Filled People Who Also Know How to Laugh
Somehow God augments the pleasure of fun that rests on a foundation of faith—perhaps because a Christian secure in Jesus is not looking to impress others. They can even tell stories on themselves.
My grandfather was just such a person. One time years ago, as he was about to leave the mall, he put his key in the lock of his car and nothing happened. The key would not turn. He wondered if the lock had frozen up and he’d have to call Triple-A.
Suddenly a man’s voice from behind him said, “Here. Try this key.” It was the owner of the car. Gramps was trying to get into a similar-but-incorrect vehicle. The two of them enjoyed a good chuckle and wide-eyed amazement that the car owner arrived on the scene when he did.
Now we never would have known about the incident except Gramps told us. Unlike some who’d feel foolish after such a mistake, he had fun relating the story.
And perhaps without knowing it, Gramps modeled for us a humble, unself-conscious celebration of life—mistakes included–due to his strong faith-foundation on Jesus. (You may enjoy Gramps’ amazing life-turnaround story in “The God of Rachel, Henry, and Clara.”)
Billy Sunday used to say:
Let’s plug the leaks with a little fun!
Meanwhile, what kind of fun impacts your faith? Please share in the Comments below!
(Revised and reblogged from 10-3-2016 during an ultra-busy week.)
Image credits: Nancy Ruegg (2); http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.pxhere.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.pixhere.com; http://www.geograph.org.uk (Jim Barton).
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Your grandfather’s funny story about misidentifying a car as his own is probably more common now. There aren’t as many car colors, and they all look the same-even if they’re a different make. I’ve often had to pause when looking out at a sea of cars that look like a school of fish. Amazingly, God sees each of us in His ocean of beloved people. 🙂
You’re right Nancy–cars are not as identifiable by make and color as they once were. / I love the lesson you found in a sea of cars! (Well done!)
If we are created in God’s image, which we know that we are, all of us are endowed with a blessed sense of humor and the ability to laugh at ourselves first and foremost, Nancy. I do believe that humor soothes our infirmities, unites us in unexpected joys, and creates lasting memories with our families that will be recalled for generations to come. Blessings!
Thank you, Martha, for highlighting some of the more beautiful outcomes of laughter. All the more reasons to let the giggles, chuckles, and guffaws gurgle forth!
Faith and fun. I love it. Your post reminds me of the verse John 10:10 … He came to give us abundant life’. Great post
Thank you, Brenda. The abundant life definitely includes joy, and fun contributes to joy. Some people think Christianity and fun are polar opposites on the experience-spectrum. Little do they know! Faith in Christ contributes to our contentment and peace, and as a result we find our ability to have fun augmented. God increases the pleasure of our relationships, helps us see the humor in everyday situations, and develops our humility so we can laugh at ourselves, just like my grandfather did!
Amen and amen 🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing about your grandfather. God provides many ways for us to laugh and enjoy life. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂
Good point, Melissa–all good gifts come from our Father above (James 1:17), including occasions that bring laughter and joy!
Yes and amen, Nancy, to celebrating faith and fun. We were created for joy and celebration … and someday that will truly come to pass. But meanwhile, we can smile, laugh, and look for fun. It’s there, just waiting to be grabbed!
Yes indeed, Linda–let’s grab with gusto those opportunities for fun, laughter, and joy that God provides!
Chicken Run! What a fun grandmother you are! This sounds like just the right amount of chaos! TT
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Thank you, Michele! Yes, our girls are fond of chaos, though you’ll also likely see them curled up with a book or ipad or journals and pens.
Three moving stories (if you follow the links) in one fun post. I am sorry you had an ultra busy week, but as in all things “God,” it turned out to be a blessing to me.
Praise God you found blessing here, Linda!
I’ve actually done what your grandfather did–twice! My husband had fun teasing me about it, and I realized that laughing at myself is one way of recognizing my own limits, my finitude. Laughter and fun are indispensable in life–they keep us free from being bogged down by the darkness of the world, the flesh, and the devil by reminding us of how God had to have created fun. When I think of Jesus, I think of Him laughing with His men and with the people He knew well. Fun is fantastic!
You’ve reminded ME of the movie, “Risen,” from perhaps a decade ago. It’s about a centurion assigned to investigate the rumors of Christ’s resurrection. Did you see it? (I highly recommend!) When the centurion finally comes across Jesus and his disciples, they’re all laughing enthusiastically–including Jesus. Exactly the scene you see in your imagination, Dayle!
I love to laugh! I grew up in a family full of humor and fun along with our faith. One of my favorite moments as an adult is from a few years ago. Two dear friends and I used to cook for our church youth when they would go to summer camp. The name of the camp is Falls Creek. One evening at the end of our exhausting week, my friends and I took a walk by the creek – Falls Creek. I accidentally fell into the creek. The three of us laughed and laughed at the realization that I fell into FALLS Creek. Why did I have to take the name of that creek so literally?? 🙂 🙂
Kudos to you, Patty, for being able to laugh at yourself–even while dripping wet! That IS funny that you should fall into Falls Creek! We happened to live on Fall Creek Court years ago. There wasn’t a creek that I ever saw–just a pond!
How uncanny that we both have a Fall(s) Creek in our lives!
Agreed!
Just love this and yes faith and fun aren’t two words we put together but God is a God of delight. Doesn’t laughter just open up our souls too?
Oh yes–laughter does indeed open up our souls. Nothing is more therapeutic, more conducive to to a sense of contentment than laughter in the company of a loving family and/or friends!
I so enjoyed reading this, Nancy, and your grandfather’s story reminds us that we need to be able to laugh at ourselves. Pride may give us a stiff upper lip, but humility opens our mouths to laughter. and our hearts to gladness 🙂
You’re not only a poet, Dora, you’re a wise proverb-writer! That last sentence of your comment sounds like it could be the modern translation of a biblical proverb!
Your granddaughters remind me so much of two of my own, even down to their respective poses. I can hear the laughter in that photo. Our former pastor in Colorado – whom we miss so much – had the gift of storytelling to kick off his sermons (often self-deprecating stories), inevitably ending in punchlines. It was a powerful yet fun way to gain the full attention of the congregation just before hitting them with the real message. It’s a similar approach to the one you take with your blog posts. Nothing wrong with a little fun to open the door to the lesson!
My husband used to include humor in his sermons also, and follow with an incisive point. The practice did seem to drive home that point a bit deeper! I agree with your observation–“a little fun can be a good way the open the door to a lesson.” (It worked in my elementary classroom too!)
Chicken run sounds fun. And I love how you bring fun into faith. It’s a lot more sticky when we can laugh. Beautiful, Nancy!
Thank you, Wynne. The girls are much older now–18, 13, and 9. Only the nine-year-old still wants to play Chicken Run. / I never considered that laughter can make our faith stick a bit more firmly in our souls. Insightful observation, Wynne! It’s not that we come to Christ with the purpose of having fun. Hardly! But I think our fun is enhanced when we know him and feel secure in him.
Just reading this blog this evening made me laugh and reminded me of the time that I actually sat down in what I thought was my mom’s car. I don’t think I ever moved that fast before anyone saw me. And just last week a man was looking for his car at a grocery parking lot. My mom was nearby and heard him laughing. He forgot that he had drove his wife’s car, not his. Laughter is a great stress-reducer!
Yes, yes–laughter does reduce stress! Thank you for sharing your own funny story, Cheri, about sitting in a stranger’s car before realizing it wasn’t your mother’s. These days, with so many look-alike SUVs in so few colors, such mix-ups are all the more likely to happen. (That gives us a good excuse anyway!)
Oh Nancy, I once spent a few minutes trying to get into a vehicle that was the same make and model as my own at the food store. I was getting puzzled and frustrated when I noticed the owner of that vehicle had something on the passenger seat that didn’t belong to me. I’m lucky I didn’t set off any alarms!
I’m so glad that your grandfather taught you’d have a sense of humor about things. Yes, faith can be fun! That game you play with your granddaughter’s sounds like a blast.
It happened to me also just the other day! i noticed an unfamiliar water bottle in the console, cuing my mistake. I didn’t even think about the possibility of setting off an alarm! YIKES!