I found something that helps.
Helps what?
My child.
One of my kids is having a rough time right now and I've been praying about it. I've been trying to help. I've been giving too much unwanted-advice (that never helps -- why do we parents insist on this route?). I've tried to show my child a better way, but that hasn't helped either.
Finally, this morning, the key was found.
What is it?
Humor and laughter.
This was totally a God thing. He led us to this.
I got my child talking about the situation, and then I got my child laughing at the situation.
And I even accidentally said a bad word -- a word that is never even in my mind. A word I don't even think about or silently use as a curse word. I have no idea where it came from.
But that too broke something -- got through where I couldn't go before.
I'm not saying to curse or to use profanity -- I don't normally. Never have (some do, some don't).
Anyway, it was everything in our conversation. It was how it went. It was laughing at the situation. It was seeing how ridiculous it is. It was all this and more. And my child left with a smile!
Glory to God in the highest for this!
"A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22
We can handle only so much pain. We can handle only so much misery before our spirit is broken. It isn't a good place to stay for very long.
Find the joy. Laugh about the problem. There's humor there. Thank you God for laughter! Thank you God for joy.