I saw a link on Facebook to a youtube video of an artist I was not familiar with singing a song I had never heard: Regina Spektor singing Laughing With. The lyrics of the verses speak of situations in which “no one laughs at God,” suggesting for example, that No one laughs at God..in a hospital…or when they are starving or freezing….or when a doctor calls with bad news after a supposedly routine test…or when the airplane starts to shake uncontrollably…or when the cops come calling with bad news, etc.
The refrain is something of a contrast, telling us:
But God can be funny–
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke, or
Or when the crazies say He hates us
And they get so red in the head you think they’re ‘bout to choke.
God can be funny,
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way,
And when presented like a genie who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus.
God can be so hilarious.
The song ends by telling us: “No one’s laughing at God…No one’s laughing at God…No one’s laughing at God…We’re all laughing with God.
I think the verses of the song reflect real truth – calling to God is a frequent response to human pain and suffering. In those situations, many people who might do so otherwise, don’t tend to laugh and joke about whether God exists or worry about whatever their particular problem with God happens to be. Instead, for many, there is an instinctive cry to God for comfort and assistance.
But the refrain is what really draws me, because it reminds us that God has a sense of humor. God is happy to be with us in our need – comforting us and loving us and caring for us. But God also just likes to have a good time with us. God laughs with us and invites us to laugh with God.
You can watch the video of Lauging With here.
Creo en Dios! 