National Days. It is just a fun and silly way of remembering things, perhaps celebrating them. For instance, today October 31st is –
National Knock Knock Jokes Day.
Seriously, who knew? You probably thought I was going to say something about Halloween. But no.
Knock knock jokes. Those silly and ridiculous jokes every kid loves to tell. And our family was no different.
The years of driving my son to elementary school were ones familiar to joke books. He always had one, or two, sometimes three joke books with him in the car. Sometimes, it was Calvin and Hobbs.
Those were the years when children were permitted to sit in the front seat. He would read them all the way to school and laughter filled the car. I’m still not sure if I was laughing at the actual joke or at the sheer sound of him laughing till he was wiping his eyes. But the joke books took many a ride with us.
One silly tweet, one national day, and one graphic all rolled together to make me realize – let’s love deeply.
Our children are now adults, married and with children of their own. The knock knock jokes are not read to me by my own children any longer but maybe by the next generation. Talk surrounds politics, news events, and religion. We don’t always see eye to eye on everything. There are days the knock knock jokes were way funnier than our adult discussions.
Today my heart is filled with appreciation for the “ministry” of knock knock jokes in our family. I am grateful for the rides in the car and the conversations held within our travels. My gratitude runs deep as I have never forgotten a teaching by Chuck Swindoll in which he encouraged parents to develop authenticity with their children.
Teaching our children the precepts of God will only happen in the everyday and ordinary goings on:
“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (Deuteronomy 6: 6-9, NKJV)
Our homes and our tables must be safe environments for relevant and needed conversations. Our words need to be grace filled and covered in love.
May our homes be slathered thickly in the love of Jesus
and rooted in His Word.
Today I am joining … #SmallWonder and Moments of Hope and #LifeGiving and Literacy Musing Mondays .
Hi Joanne,
Sometimes I look back at the day and think we really didn’t “do” anything, or at least, not anything important, and then my daughter will tell me she enjoyed spending the day with me. It’s not always the big, planned out things we do that are remembered. It’s also the time spent together laughing, talking, telling jokes…and just being together that are remembered. They make a difference. They matter.
Blessings,
Laura
Laura, it truly is the simple and fun days that we all will remember and hold onto. So grateful I was blessed with plenty of those days 🙂
I like this, Joanna. There’s such a need for us to create safe places for people to experience joy together. Joy is a sign of love’s presence and trust – you can’t laugh if you’re scared or on edge. I’m always grateful when the kids hear my husband and I sharing big belly laughs – I hope it helps them remember that our home is a safe place to be. BTW, the twins love the “interrupting cow” knock, knock, joke.
Kelly, those are the days we will all remember. May your family be filled with many belly laughs. So grateful to have come to know you more through #ChickenScratch. May God continue to bless and use your words!
My kiddos are obsessed with Knock Knock Jokes right now. I think they love them so much because they feel like they can make up their own (which, of course, mom and dad always laugh at!). Thanks for sharing this important reminder about talking with our children.
Sarah, yes (!!!) the made up ones that make no sense at all and put our kids in absolute stitches. I remember those well 🙂
Joanne, what a sweet reminder to me. Right now it’s one of my grandsons who loves “knock, knock” jokes. I had to stop and text him the one in your photo! I can’t wait to hear back from him.
Talking to our children and grandchildren, especially when they are young, is so important. Otherwise, they grow up and you realize you don’t have influence because there’s not a solid relationship. Fun is an important part of all that. Blessings!
Donna, so glad the post brought sweet reminders to you. May we continually build a strong relationship with our families. It is so important for legacy is established one day at a time. So grateful to connect with you too!
Oh, Joanne! You just struck a nerve in my heart and it’s all mush right now! lol! I so agree with you. The simple things in life, when done with intentionality and gratitude, become the moments that shape and build the hearts and character of our children! My middle guy loves corny jokes! I bought him a cute little joke book not so long ago and he just loves to laugh together!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Lori, I cannot believe how this post struck a cord with so many. The funny part is my son also commented to me privately as he fondly recalled his joke books, which he still has although married 🙂 May you and yours continue to laugh for many days to come!
Great post, and so true. Thanks for linking up with Literacy Musing Mondays!
Thank you, Brandi. May you and yours always continue to smile and laugh together !
Joanne! I read almost everything you write — How did I miss this fun post? Thank heavens Mary and Lori featured it!
Michele, I so appreciate you! You always encourage. May you and your beautiful (and growing) family continue to smile and laugh together for years to come!