Learning to Laugh Again: Lessons learned from ALF

Remember the TV sitcom ALF? I caught a couple episodes yesterday afternoon. I was so exhausted from the previous week of missionary training in Georgia, along with meetings and all kinds of running around that once Sunday came, I couldn't do much else besides slump down in the couch, relax, and laugh.

 

I forgot how funny ALF was. Several times, my wife, who was in the other room doing laundry, caught me laughing uncontrollably out-loud. I can't explain it; there's just something hilarious about an alien life form who tapes a phony zipper to his chest and calls himself "Gordon Shumway" to fit in at a Halloween costume party.

 

There were several times when I just lost it. I didn't realize that every other sentence that came out of Alf's mouth was a one-line, comedy bit. I would chuckle, watch for a few more minutes, and then I would burst out into raucous laughter again.

 

Come to think of it, that's what this whole weekend was like - full of moments where my wife and I (being reunited after a week apart) would randomly start laughing until we cried. Then, the laughter would bubble down to a couple little giggles, and then we would just sigh with contentment. I can't remember the last time I cracked up like that. After a long week of meetings, travel, and twelve-hour work-days, comedy was the only thing that made sense to me. I needed to laugh.

 

It's like John Travolta, as the irreverent archangel Michael in the movie with the same namesake, says to the cynical, all-too-serious reporter: "You gotta learn to laugh. It's the way to true love." Far too often, I take work, relationships, and myself too seriously, forgetting to simply enjoy the blessings God has put in my life.