LAUGH YOUR WAY TO GRACE

Book Review

“LAUGH YOUR WAY TO GRACE”

Reclaiming the Spiritual Power of Humor

By Rev. Susan Sparks

It has been a long 5 weeks since we started this “stay home” ordinance and I thought it was time to lighten up my reading.  Options are overwhelming, yet once again, out of all the books out there, this one jumped at me (from 2010 no less)!  Oh that voice in my head….

About the Author:

A trial lawyer, turned standup comedian and Baptist minister, Rev. Susan Sparks is America’s only female comedian with a pulpit.  After ten years as a lawyer moonlighting as a standup, she left her practice and spent two years on a solo trip around the world, including working with Mother Teresa’s mission in Calcutta. Currently, the Senior Pastor of the historic Madison Avenue Baptist Church in New York City (and the first woman in its 165 year history)

Book Summary:

From the “Introduction”, which includes a “Letter from God”, to the last “Reflection”, Rev. Susan Sparks shares with us her personal and funny look at humor as spiritual practice.  The book is divided into two parts, each with a chapter, sub chapter and “Reflections” consisting of questions to give you pause to, well, to reflect.  Here is a tease:  Part 1: “Why Aren’t We Laughing?” chapter, “Eating Dessert on the Titanic: The Opportunity for Joy is Now.” sub chapter “The World’s Greatest Buffet” reflection “What images of God do you remember from childhood?”  Part 2: “What Would Happen If We Laughed?” chapter “Into the Ark: Laughter in Times of Crisis” sub chapter “Rising above the Flood”, reflection “Have you ever laughed when you couldn’t cry?”  Interspersed throughout her book, Rev. Sparks adds quotes from authors, historians, philosophers, saints and of course comedians.  Some profound, some are just plain funny yet each has a simple message.   Rev. Sparks gives her readers an opportunity to appreciate and accept laugher (humor) in situations and places you may not think of.  It’s hard not to say more without giving too much away.  This is one book that will make you smile as you read it and perhaps even make you laugh out loud.

Sharing my thoughts:

First let me say that some of you might be thinking “An ex-lawyer, comedian and Baptist minister?  What is she thinking?”  Actually, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone, go outside the box.  So, I figured since we had a Rabbi for our Lenten Mission, why not go with a Baptist minister author for my next book read?  I’m glad I did.

As I was reading one word kept popping in my head….JOY!   It wasn’t a Catholic thing, or a Jewish thing or a Baptist thing, joy is everything!  I admit that at first I thought “Is she just going to focus on humor in church?”  (See how you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover?)  Well yes, church was a part of her story, and yet there was so much more. 

I found myself smiling an awful lot and even a chuckle now and then.  It was a very easy read and I do recommend it.  Books are personal and everyone will get something different out of them.  For me, it was very uplifting in a spiritual way.  With each chapter there was something I could relate to and in some chapters I felt a sense of peace and yes joy.

Rev. Sparks’ perspective in her stories gave me another way to see what I already knew, that God wants me to be happy.   God wants me to allow myself to laugh.  To smile even when I feel like crying.  A quote from her book that I really liked was “God embraces our every cry and every smile”. 

Her mission in life, “change the world, one smile at a time” I found to be very inspiring. 

After reading her book and even now as I write this, I can’t help but smile.  Such a simple thing, a smile, yet it can mean the world to someone.  “A smile is a handprint that we all carry” and so easy to share with others.  Sending smiles and love to everyone!

Be Safe, Stay Healthy and God Bless,

 

Gloria Wheeler 

(Glory Bee)