Seal Medicine

He knew we were in the water. On the four different occasions that Kelly and I came to swim in the sheltered cove on the coast of Oregon, we saw this same seal. He was watching us carefully. He would poke his head out of the water to peek at us, and when a wave came he would stretch his neck so that he could still see over the crest of the wave. Back and forth he went, popping up on one side of us and then the other.

Maybe he was curious? Or maybe he was irritated that we were swimming in his dining room … I don’t know, but he was definitely keeping an eye on us as we dove in and out of the waves. We were keeping an eye on him, too. Partly because he was so cute, and partly because we weren’t quite sure what he would do if we got too close.

We soon found out. On one of the days the water was completely opaque. The waves were incredibly rough and had roiled up all the sand and detritus from the bottom to make a blackish soup. So unless the seal lifted his head out of the water, we could not see him. And apparently he also could not see us from under the water.

We forgot about him, though, because we were so busy. Wave after wave barreled toward us and we alternated between riding them, diving under them, and trying to jump over them. It was a non-stop barrage of chaos. Then suddenly, we were standing in the trough of one wave, waiting for the next, and Humbug popped up right in front of us. Humbug, of course, was the seal’s name.

Humbug’s reaction was probably the funniest thing I have ever seen in my life. His “eyebrows” rose and his eyes opened wide. His whiskered jaw dropped and his mouth gaped. I could almost hear him gasp – but maybe that was my imagination. I saw all this in a split second as the next moment he disappeared into the dark water. With a slap of his tail he was gone.

I am sure what he saw was just as funny. Two girls in full wetsuits--gloves, hoods, and all--eyebrows raised, eyes wide with surprise, jaws dropped open, and a scream before we jumped backwards.

As the waves continued to bombard us we held our bellies and laughed. We laughed until we could hardly breathe. We laughed and pointed at the water and laughed some more.

In that moment I was reminded once again that laughter truly does cleanse and heal. That a cheerful heart really does work like medicine. And I don’t know about you but I need that medicine often. Because life, with all of its challenges, can make your heart sick.

Yes, God has given us laughter as a gift. If you take the time to look around, He has put humor everywhere. There are things to laugh about all over the place.

Are you taking your medicine? When is the last time you laughed? Not a polite chuckle. Not laughter at someone’s expense or at a crude joke. Just real, free, uninhibited laughter?

Imagine a man chained in a dark, damp prison. He hears the clanging of keys and looks up to see the guard unlock first his cell, and then his chains. He rubs his wrists as the shackles fall to the ground. As the guard leads him out of the cell,  his legs wobble at first from being inactive for so long. The guard opens the door that leads outside and light streams in. The prisoner shields his eyes from the light. But in a few moments his eyes adjust and his legs gain strength and he leaps and shouts and laughs. The bright, blue sky, the green blades of grass, the gentle breeze – all of these are new. He is new. He is free! He cannot contain his joy.

Christian, you are free. Free from guilt. Free from eternal punishment in Hell. Free from the hopelessness and lack of purpose that the world faces. You were in prison and now you are free. Why contain your joy? Why contain your laughter? Have the trials and heartaches of life – or maybe your own pride – made you forget what it was like to come out of the prison of your sin and separation from God?

Christian, go back to that day. Go back to that day every day. Don’t forget it. Don’t allow yourself to get over it. Don’t bind up your heart – or your face – in a prison of despair or indifference. Go out and take some medicine and share some of it with whomever you meet!