The Scout Law: Cheerful

October 27, 2025

As we move forward in our twelve-part series on the Scout Law, perhaps the most curious point of the scout law is “Cheerful.” The Scout Book defines Cheerfulness this way – “A Scout looks for the bright side of life. He cheerfully does tasks that come his way. He tries to make others happy.” It is a hard word to define, but we know it when we see it. When we have a cheerful scout in the troop it makes a huge difference in the dynamics of the way the troop works. The overall experience is just more fun.

I have worked with thousands of children and teens through my years in the ministry. I think the nature vs. nurture debate has a big impact on cheerfulness. Some kids are born with more cheerfulness than others, and some kids are melancholier. But I do think that nurture can bring out the cheerful side of kids that doesn’t come through as easily for some kids as others. I think that has happened for me. I love to laugh, make jokes, have fun, and help others experience happiness and joy. I don’t think I have always been that way, but I do think my parents are hilarious, and I think of my childhood as being a fun and funny experience.

I share this experience from my mom, because I think it typifies how her sense of humor rubbed off on me. Today, she struggles with advanced Alzheimer’s at the age of 87. I don’t think she remembers my name very often, but I don’t test her. I do laugh with her because she cracks jokes all the time. When Dad got sick they had to move to a nursing home together, and be in separate rooms. She was trying to understand the new arrangements and asked a series of questions, to which I responded yes to each, “Your father and I will be in different rooms, but the same building, right? I can visit him, yes? What if I climb into bed with him?”

That one surprised me, but I again agreed it would be okay. “Can I take off all my clothes, and sleep with him?”

I quickly responded, “Oh, Mom, that would be scandalous!”

She came right back at me, “I’ve never been scandalous before. I think I will do it!” Her nurse has confirmed she has never done this before. I’ve told mom the story, and she doesn’t remember it. But I must admit, I always knock before I go into my parent’s room at the nursing home. There are a lot of things my mom doesn’t know are going on around her, but she still knows how to crack a joke. I think that is because she has been a cheerful woman all her life.

Scripture affirms this value. In Philippians 4:4, Paul writes, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Paul is encouraging us to have a double measure of rejoicing. In Mark 10:13-16, Jesus showed cheerfulness as he welcomed the children into his midst and blessed them, even as the disciples tried to shoo them away. I’m sure that gathering of adults was made much more cheerful as Jesus made them feel welcome.

I think another thing that plays a big role in being cheerful is not taking ourselves too seriously. If we can laugh at ourselves and celebrate our human foibles, life can be a very funny experience. Most politicians take themselves way too seriously, and I find them humorless. One of the things I look for in my favorite politicians is the ability to laugh at themselves and their idiosyncrasies.

I share with you a cheerfulness challenge. As you grow older desire to have “Smile Wrinkles.” These occur on people who smile most of the time over decades. You can’t have smile wrinkles on the spur of the moment. It is a lifestyle decision that comes with learning to laugh at yourself, see the fun and foibles of life, help others to laugh, and SMILE, SMILE, SMILE.

Have you considered what cheerfulness looks like in your life? Maybe it’s smiling at a stressed cashier, encouraging a struggling friend, or staying positive during a tough day, even when you feel down. Reflect on a time when being cheerful made a difference. How did it affect you or those around you?

Do you see yourself as cheerful? When did you last share positivity, even in a tough moment? Who in your life models cheerfulness? How does their example inspire you? How could more cheerfulness in our nation make us stronger today? Your cheerfulness can influence others, and I know it pleases God to see His people cheerful, happy, and joyful. Let your smile glorify God as a lifestyle. (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional. Check out my podcast on YouTube, called “My Faith Journey”).