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Summer is finally here— a time of vacationing and finding ways to relax and have fun. So, as you set your plans and expectations for those special times, thought I’d share a fun story about one of our family vacations. And lying within it, you’ll find a unique perspective on God’s fruit of patience that I don’t want you to miss— the fruit of humor.

“Wait a minute!” You may be saying. Galatians 5:22 doesn’t say anything about “humor” being a fruit of the Spirit. However, within the context of joy—one of the fruits that is listed, we often find the hidden treasure of laughter. And in my life, there have been some delightful occasions when God worked-in some fun and laughter as a fruitful response to difficult situations that required lots of patience. It’s during those troublesome times that the gift of humor can be a great partner to patience.  

One example of that happened in a most unlikely setting for difficulty—Disney World in Florida. I’m sure that anyone who has visited either Disneyland/California or Disney World/ Florida knows the reality of waiting in long lines and how wearing it can be on your patience. In my book, “Fresh Eyes: Seeing God in the Unexpected,” I tell a fun story about a vacation our family took to Disney World Florida years ago. The gist of it goes like this: 

We had decided to visit Florida’s Disney World. We had been to Disneyland in California many times but thought Florida’s version would be even more fun. However, this travel weary, bunch of Californians just couldn’t handle the muggy weather that dragged us down and threatened to spoil the whole vacation. Nevertheless, we had paid our money, and we were “going to have fun even if it killed us!” At some point our daughter brightened and said, “I know, let’s go on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.” It was our favorite and figured it might bring some excitement to our day (not to mention it was usually cool inside). With drummed up enthusiasm, she and I raced ahead of my husband, Larry, and our sons to get there first.

Having arrived well before the guys, we were about ten to twelve people ahead of them in line. The rippling rise of heat seemed to waver with more intensity and distort our spirits like a carnival mirror as we slowly moved closer to the ride entrance. Making matters even more unbearable, just behind me was a loud-mouthed bore who began telling me his whole life story. As if I cared. He seemed almost too fittingly like an exaggerated cartoon character from one of Disney’s stories. 

The queue continued its typical slow cattle stall snaking back and forth toward the ride entrance when I spotted Larry and the boys approaching us from the other side of the dividing bar. Up until this point, we hadn’t spoken a word to each other, and it was likely that no one even knew we were together. On impulse, I suddenly reached across the isle, grabbed Larry (my husband) around the neck, and said, “Hi cutie!” Then gave him a big kiss on the mouth. 

The blockhead behind me must’ve nearly lost his lunch. I’m quite sure his big mouth extended to its fullest drop-down position before he blurted out “Whoa, buddy, you must have done something right!”  

It was all I could do not to burst out laughing, but I turned and proceeded forward as if I didn’t know the man I’d just lip-locked.

The rest of our day at Disney World seemed to fly by with exuberance like never before experienced at any amusement park. Even the oppressive heat seemed to dissipate into the air of our imaginative spontaneity.  It was the biggest highlight of the day and by far topped the charts of our vacation experiences.

James 1:17 says: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.” This may not have been a spiritual gift as intended in this verse and in Galatians 5:22, but it certainly was the perfect gift for us that day. In a world filled with all kinds of discomforts and trials much worse than a hot humid day, we can always look for joyful opportunities. If we aren’t able to see it with humor or new vision, despite our valiant efforts, we know that we should continue to praise the Lord regardless.  

So, although the humidity, heat, and long lines were testing our patience that day, God sprinkled the “magical” addition of some of His joyous humor on us as an unexpected gift of His Spirit.

As you find ways to recreate this summertime, it’s my prayer that all of you will realize the fullness of God’s Spiritual fruit no matter how successful, fun, or difficult it may be. 

Let me know if this story brightened your summer at its’ start, by leaving a comment here. And don’t forget to register for my monthly email so you can get my free poem-“The Fruit”.

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