“Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.”  Luke 6:21

Many years ago, Bob Benson wrote about the house he built for his family. He reminisced about all the years of wonderful memories crowded into every corner, room and nook of their home. In the end Benson wrote of those autumn years of life: “Peg and I now sit quietly by the fire and listen to the laughter in the walls.”  What are the sounds that will be heard in the walls of your home? 

We live in a world filled with more than enough pain and weeping. We also know the victorious life in Christ is more than all the times of joy and gladness. It is believing that God is there in the midst of the storm and finding a reason to smile and rejoice because we know God is good.

The apostle Paul instructs us to “rejoice always.” There are so many good and noble things we must remember and let them fill the walls of our homes—things that will keep us smiling and laughing to the very end. The words of Jesus in Luke 6:21 contain both an already and a not yet reality that we dare not lose sight of. Even in those times of weeping, the joy of Christ’s love and grace will revive our ability to laugh and hope. That’s the reality of the already that Jesus has overcome the world and will not leave or forsake us. In that knowledge we do not lose heart.

The not yet reality is the certain hope that one day every tear will be wiped away. That will indeed be a great time of laughter like we have never experienced before. But until then, let’s keep building our houses with walls filled with laughter. One day, as we sit alone in those memory-filled places, we will discover a reason to smile because the sound of laughter in the walls fills our hearts. When our children and grandchildren come into that hallowed place, they, too, will hear the laughter—and smile.

Grandparents, let’s be intentional about making our homes memory-building places filled with hearty laughter, adventurous fun, authentic joy and expressive love. Guard against letting your home become a ‘museum’ where everything is hands off. Create an atmosphere where hugs, relationships, and creative adventures are treasured above earthly treasures. Is it a place where your grandchildren always feel welcome and are reluctant to leave—where the walls ring with laughter?

GRANDPAUSE:“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stop laughing.”  –Michael Pritchard