"Help Us Have a Fun Rest of the Day"

“Dear God, please help us have fun.”

This is a prayer we’ve taught our children since they were tiny.

We said, “Have fun” about everything—school, trips, all kinds of activities. I told them to have fun when they were taking big tests. I said it when they were going to the doctor.

They learned it well. For years, when the kids prayed at mealtime, they’d finish with, “Help us to have fun for the rest of the day.” Is that all I’ve taught my kids?

Truly, I think this is a good thing. We didn’t want them to be frightened or worried.

We are to have joy as Christians. Laughter is good medicine. We can’t be good witnesses for Christ by being glum-faced.

Proverbs 17:22: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

So when my kids start a new job, I tell them to have fun as they walk out the door. When they’re doing something unknown or scary, I tell them to have a good time.

It’s good medicine for me too.

When Rebecca moved to another state to start her job, I told her to have fun, even while I was trying not to cry. When Benjamin moves to the dorm this fall, I’m sure I’ll say, “Have some fun,” again fighting the pain in my own heart.

No, I’m not sorry for putting the idea of fun into their heads. We have so many things to be nervous about, to be sad about, many problems and difficulties to climb in life. So let’s strive to have fun any time we can.

Philippians 4:4: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!