Laughing With: the explanation to my current bizzare song addiction

I admit it: I have a serious addiction to the (500) Days of Summer soundtrack. The friends were laughing at me as we watched the movie because I kept interjecting at random places with "OH this is my favorite song in the movie!" or "This is the fourth best song from the soundtrack!" My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE song on the soundtrack, though, is sung by Regina Spektor. I had three of her songs on my ipod, and they were all spectacular. She has a really unique voice and beautiful musical ability. Since these three songs were exceptional, I rented her newest CD from the Lawrence Public Library when I got back from break. I popped it in my truck player and listened to it as I drove around. The first five tracks were alright, some majorly weirder than anything I had ever heard before, but it was oddly addicting. Then I hit Track 6, Laughing With. I listened to it all the way through, then listened to it again to make sure I was hearing it right. Even after two listenings, I still didn't know what I had heard, and I was seriously troubled about it. I had heard that Regina Spektor had a religious background, but, despite the gorgeous music, this song seemed to be bashing God and faith! It didn't make sense, and I had to know what it was talking about.

So I went to chat forums. Every single review I found discussed how powerful, beautiful, and touching the song was. I read the lyrics and ended up even more confused. But still, I had to know! Finally, in my searches, I found the true explanation for the song, and it suddenly took on a whole new meaning and became a very important song in my heart this week. I will give the explanation beneath the lyrics:


No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor
No one laughs at God
When the doctor calls after some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
When it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from the party yet
No one laughs at God
When their airplane start to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love, hand in hand with someone else
And they hope that they’re mistaken
No one laughs at God
When the cops knock on their door
And they say we got some bad news, sir
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine or fire or flood

*Chorus*But God can be funny
At a cocktail party when listening to a good God-themed joke,
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
Ha ha Ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’ve lost all they’ve got
And they don’t know what for
No one laughs at God on the day they realize
That the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one's laughing at God when they're saying their goodbyes


Okay, before you think I have lost my blessed mind and am turning into a pagan...THE EXPLANATION! I'm sure you could have your own interpretation (and probably will form your own opinion after hearing the song for yourself), but here is what the song addresses, and why it means so much to me:

So many people in today's world laugh off the existence of a God. It's amusing to tell jokes about a omniscient, omnipotent being. After all, if you joke about it, it makes the possibility of such a being less serious. And when you are only living for the world, living for yourself, it's probably best not to worry yourself with such pointless things as the existence of this so called "God". So God becomes a funny joke. You laugh at the "crazies" who rant about God. You laugh at the jokes about such a ridiculous thought as the existence of God. You laughingly refer to God when making your wishlists, hoping He will act the part of jiminy cricket or santa claus and make "all your dreams come true."

But then, inevitably...disaster strikes.

Sickness. War. Natural Disasters. Heartbreak. Death.

Suddenly, the existence of God doesn't seem so funny. And for some reason, the first response you have when faced with something out of your realm of human control is to call on this same God that you shrugged off so many times before. The reason for this is, I believe, because there is a God-shaped void within every human soul (sorry, that sounds so preacher-ish, I know). Humans try to fill that void with their own control and the assurance that if they do good, life will end up okay. But when sorrow comes into life, all the little things that we use to fill up that void are suddenly gone. We have nothing to fall back on, and in response, our basic instinct is to cry out to some spiritual being to save us.

This week has been a good example of heartache in the world. The earthquake in Haiti has destroyed millions of people's home, lives, futures. Closer to reality, people in my hometown have faced death and heartache on a different level. Pain. Confusion. We hang our heads and cry out to God asking for answers.

And, though it's hard to believe, we probably won't get the answers to these questions here on this earth. It hurts to accept this. But that's when we must do the only thing we really have the power to control: cry out to God. Accept His comfort and love. And ask Him for peace in knowing that He is in control, and He has perfect reasons for everything that occurs on this planet.

He's the perfect fit to that void. I promise.

Anyways, that's my take on this song. You should definitely go look it up, listen, and form your own opinion. Please, post your comments on this song, or any other thoughts it provokes from you! I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you have a blessed day!

In Christ

The People Place

"That pain you're feeling, above your stomach? That's your people place. It's hurting because it's growing to allow more people inside. The more people you know and the more people you love, the larger your people place will grow."

"But Mama Ella, what's a people place?"

"It's that place where you hold all the people that mean something to you. Once someone is in your people place, they never leave you, no matter what."

~Abridged summary from Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin




The above is from my favorite author of all time. Charles Martin is very real and very talented at expressing the state of simply being human. This comment about the "people place" goes through my mind almost daily. What a perfect way to explain the feelings that we experience from loving other human beings!

Last night, I was thinking about "the people place". Yes, it grows as we grow, and more people are added, sometimes without our even realizing how deep the connection we have with the other person. But what about those people that have faded out of our life stories? Do they still occupy the people place?

I think this thought vein came about from a dream I had last night. It was slightly terrifying, I can't explain why. I was in a garden, with lots of green and flowers and light. I was dressed up and didn't really know why. As I looked around, I realized that I was at a funeral. When I got closer to the crowd, I figured out who the funeral was for: a boy that had been my friend years ago. The dream went on with pointless, remedial details, but when I woke up, I was sobbing into my pillow. I haven't even thought of this guy in ages. We used to be really good friends, and had hung out a lot. But life happened, and we have since grown apart. And yet, when I woke up from that dream, I realized how sad and hurting I would be if I knew that he wasn't around anymore. And if I was that heartbroken over the thought of not having a friend around that was just a small blip on the canvas of my people place, how much more would it hurt if I lost those who have helped write whole chapters of my life story, have essentially taught my about people places and what it means to love?

The thought made my people place simply throb.

I guess my summary of this ramble of thoughts I've been chewing on all day is this: If somebody has meant something to you, in any time of your life or any mild circumstance, they become a part of you forever. I bet if you started a chart right now of the most important people in your life, for all your life, you would never be able to finish because the number of people you love and who love you in return is greater than you would ever believe. On the other side of this, try to think of all the people who would give you a spot in their people place. People might not always show how much of an impact you have had on their world.

So, let's treat others with kindness. People places easily feel the pain of human emotion, and you never know who's people place you may occupy.

And let those people in your people place know how much you care as well. Let your people place grow and grow, for that is the way to truly live.

I Believe

"I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn



I believe that the most amazing experiences in life are those that you aren't expecting.

I believe that there is such a thing as a "kindred spirit".

I believe that if God gives you a "kindred spirit" friend, you have discovered a rare gem that few people ever get to discover.

I believe in photography.

I believe in wearing your heart on your sleeve.

I believe that boredom is a chance for opportunity.

I believe in loud music.

I believe in reading the Bible everyday and getting lost again and again in the overwhelming love God has for humanity.

I believe in crying when you hurt and laughing when life is good; if the two mix, it's a sign of your life being touched by something outside of your power.

I believe in hugs. Lots and lots of hugs.

I believe warm chocolate chip cookies can cure anything.

I believe every person has a purpose.

I believe in little girls driving big trucks.

I believe in running/dancing/going crazy in a thunderstorm.

I believe that parents are superheroes.

I believe in long car rides, seemingly to nowhere.

I believe that no one is ever too far gone to be considered a lost cause.

I believe that every woman deserves a man who will treat her like a princess and cherish her for the treasure she is.

I believe that every man deserves a woman who will respect him as her hero...if he acts like a knight in shining armor should.

I believe in memorizing sunsets and being in awe of The Artist.

I believe in Saturday Morning cartoons.

I believe in making a wish at 11:11.

I believe that beauty does not equal happiness, happiness does not come from multiple relationships, and the person that you miss most and have on your mind almost constantly is who you are supposed to be with.

I believe in wishing on stars.

I believe in curiosity.

I believe in patriotism (and school spirit).

I believe that home-made blankets are even cozier than store-bought blankets.

I believe that spring flowers should be brought inside and stored in coke bottles and bright light.

I believe that God sends you the people you need to get through this crazy thing called life.

I believe that chivalry is not quite dead.

I believe that we choose special people to become our "adopted family".

I believe that band-aids still make boo-boos better, and they really take the cake if they have a cartoon character print.

I believe that children are the most amazing people in the entire world.

I believe in service projects, and giving freely of the gift of self, despite personal discomfort, to change the world of another human being.

I believe "love" is spelled T-I-M-E.

And most importantly....I believe that life is meant to be lived, and life is meant to be enjoyed.