A Daily Devotion for Thursday, May 1
- ontrakk
- May 1, 2025
- 1 min read
Ecclesiastes 3:4
“a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,“
Looking through my photos this morning, this one caught my eye. This is clearly a sunflower farm, and perhaps it is time for the harvest? But first, it looks like there will be some rain. I love these verses from Ecclesiastes. They remind me that even though I may be sad now, there will be joy and laughter. Sometimes unexpected laughter comes right in the middle of sadness, and when it does, it is like a cool, comforting hand on our forehead. Laughter is no doubt a gift from God.
Holy Lord, thank you for saving a place for laughter even when our hearts are breaking. There is a time for everything, and often laughter is just what is needed. I am truly grateful. Amen
Becky, transforming
Pic by Kay
Ecclesiates 3:4
Today's funerals differ a bit from when I was younger. When my Dad died during my first year of marriage everything was somber and sad. And, yes that's how we all felt, shock and sadness. I wish we had had a "celebration of life" kind of service. The kind where people often stand and speak about the person. Often emotional stories, often sweet stories that bring a smile and sometimes a story that brings out loud laughter. Those are the good things to remember and often help us begin our healing journey.
Prayer: Gracious God, Yes, there is a time for every emotion under heaven. AMEN
Ecclesiastes 3:4
“To everyone there’s a season”, yes, there is a time to weep (I personally seem to do that well) and there is a time to mourn, but quite simply I pray that I spend far more time, laughing and dancing. I think I do. Spontaneous laughter or breaking out in a jig when a favorite tune comes on is always a refreshing feeling.
Heavenly Father, I pray I have more joy than sorrow in my earthly life. Thank you for the Paradise that awaits, and I pray that my earthly journey there will be full of laughter and dance. Thank you for providing these moments of joy. Amen.
Thursday, May 1st, 2025
Ecclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
This verse alone explains four different times that is part of our life span, in one way or another.
A time to weep and a time to laugh.
You wouldn’t necessarily laugh at a funeral. There might be some real joy in either of these times. Would a person just spontaneously laugh during a solemn funeral ceremony. What if someone was weeping at the joyful birth of his child. Or at his wedding. Not just a tear here or there – but full-blown weeping. You would start worrying about that relationship if the groom was sobbing…
Ecclesiastes 3:4
This may seem like a shameless plug, but the play I am in is in the forefront of of my mind as it will run this weekend. This verse perfectly encapsulates the central message of “Our Town.” In the examination of life in a small New Hampshire town at the turn of the 20th century, Thornton Wilder beautifully echoes the words of Solomon, both in the simple action of the play itself as well as the wise and prophetic words of its narrator, the “Stage Manager.” With all its quirks, trials and difficulties, our short sojourn on this planet is an achingly beautiful gift from God. It is good to reflect on that from time to time.
Prayer…