The Humor Element

Home / Blog / Blog

The Humor Element

I sometimes wonder if the most sacred times on earth are when friends are laughing with each other in trusted delight. I wonder if self-effacing humor is what can help defuse a non-believer’s mistrust of us talking to them about God. I wonder if laughing at ourselves is a big part of what makes us safe. I wonder if entrusting others with the risk of humor is much of what allows us to let each other in. I wonder if dogs think things are funny but just haven’t figured out how to laugh. I wonder if my last words on earth, with my family and best friends next to me, have at least a kind hint of humor. I wonder how long I’d make it if nothing was funny anymore. I wonder if God and the angels laugh when I say something funny. I wonder if God created humor and beer to offset the realities of our fallenness. (I never heard anyone say anything particularly funny on earth before the Fall!)

I wonder if people who laugh well really do live longer. I wonder when I’m pretending to be famous, waving at people in public, if they think I’m funny or just annoying. I wonder if I’ll be funny when I’m old. I wonder if God and I will make each other laugh when I get Home. I wonder if one of the clearest indications of those who have trusted God’s grace is the ability to suspend the tyranny of urgency, to enjoy the ever-present humor in even hard seasons. I wonder after I’m gone, if people will do impersonations of me and laugh in fond remembrance. I wonder if I’d run for political office and refused to tear down an opponent and used lots of humor, if I could have won. I wonder where that carpet layer is, who one rainy evening, in Connecticut, told stories to a room full of people and had me laughing so hard I thought I would wet myself.

I wonder if the people I trust the most with me are ones who laugh the best with me. I wonder if most of the best evenings of my life involved laughter. I wonder if part of maturity in righteousness involves learning to give humor that builds up and doesn’t manipulate or hurt others. I wonder if beautifully woven humor actually does heal and free. I wonder if the clearest indication of my health, is being able to enjoy humor. I wonder if friends will forget my unkindness and remember my playfulness. I wonder if what I’ve been placed on this earth to do was to affirm others by allowing them a place, a home, by the ritual and rhythm of safe humor.

John, one of the three amigos, part of the ever-growing tribe of grace…and affirming laughter.


Posted on Thu, March 8, 2012 by David Pinkerton

15 comments (Add your own)

1. Rebekah Grace wrote:
During a parent-teacher conference with my kindergarten or 1st grade teacher, she told my mom, "Becky has a gift of laughter. It will, no doubt, help her through life." - She was right.

In elementary school my mom worked in the school office, most days the principal, upon hearing my laugh floating down the hallways, would say to my mom, "There's Becky laughing again."

I honestly don't think life would be worth living without it. Laughter and music. 2 of my favorite things. Thank You God for both!!

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 7:25 AM

2. Rudi wrote:
Laughter is the best medicine. It has been for me. Sometimes, that's all one can do. Sometimes, that's all that one wants to do. It's contagious, healing, fun and lightens the load. I love laughter and humour. I can't imagine God doesn't find pleasure in it. Seriously...

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 7:31 AM

3. Vern Hyndman wrote:
There's the snort, the gaff, the heckle, the giggle, the funny bone tickle…

The sputter, the "coffee on the computer screen explosion of mirth".

The common factor of humor is that at least two beings shared a moment.

And I'm thankful for humor… even if it's primarily the squirrels who find me funny. Laugh, little guy, I'm not the one with the "mood tail".

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 9:10 AM

4. Jeff wrote:
Life is much too important to be taken seriously.

BTW, the camel, the duck-billed platypus and male-pattern baldness are all testaments to God's peculiar sense of humor.

I remember reading my daily Bible at a Chinese restaurant one day. When I opened up my fortune cookie, I hadn't shut my Bible yet. The fortune? "Everything you need is right in front of you."

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 10:51 AM

5. Mike wrote:
I've often times asked my family to write on my headstone when I'm gone:
"I told you I didn't feel good."
Why? Because maybe that would get just one person to smile, long after I'm gone and gone home, mabe raise a chuckle every now and then for whoever would read it. I mean, if you're in a cemetery you're probably not in the greatest mood, maybe it would help.

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 10:58 AM

6. John Stroud wrote:
John-

Thank you for wondering out loud so we could consider the possibility of such a wonder-filled place called Grace.

When I grow up, that's the kind of life I want to share with everyone I encounter- even (maybe especially) on my worst days!

Love you, bro.

John

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 11:59 AM

7. jerry stern wrote:
Yes

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 5:35 PM

8. Marci wrote:
"I wonder if I'll be funny when I'm old?" I believe you will be funny, loving and encouraging as long as you draw breath on this earth. Thank you, Jesus for John Lynch who makes us smile, laugh and feel loved.

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 9:27 PM

9. Sharon Hall Dickman wrote:
John, I have been so excited about this new life in His grace. The other day, my 82 year old mother (who doesn't have a clue about freedom) was so down, long faced, complaining about everything, always saying she trusts the Lord, but never shows any joy or peace or delight in her walk with God, really needed a pep- talk. I actually started telling her that at age 50, I am already experiencing physical ailments she's having. And instead of complaining about these things, I just shrug them off and laugh about it. Heck, everyone I know has issues with getting older, but hey, we are all in the same boat. The best thing to do is laugh about it and go on. And stock up on Poise pads. Hey, at least nowadays they have some pretty cool stuff to handle all the great things about getting OLD. Now we can sneeze or cough or laugh really hard and not be embarrassed! She laughed her butt off for the first time in a long while. It was so sweet to hear that coming out of her mouth instead of complaining. Laughter is GREAT medicine! Thanks for posting!

Thu, March 8, 2012 @ 10:26 PM

10. Marisa wrote:
John, maybe you are the only person who could understand this: one of my husband's greatest ministries to me is that he can make fun of me like no one else. The love and endearment in his eyes as he performs a parody based upon my latest ridiculous antic has me crying in laughter every time. He's enjoying me, it is not hurtful. On a particularly hard day a while back, he walked in the house after work, and without a word, handed me a funny story about little kids deciding it was time for them to start cussing (very irreligious, I know). I was already crying, but the laughter from that story somehow made the war we were in seem less oppressive. It opened my heart up once again to get battle ready with my shield of faith, trusting my husband and my God.
danandmarisashepherd@hotmail.com
P.S. My kids already do impersonations of you. Just this morning at breakfast, my 6 year old said, after I gave her the breakfast options, "That's it? That's all you got?" in her best John Lynch voice. They've heard the 2 roads sermon just a few times :)

Fri, March 9, 2012 @ 1:30 PM

11. Mark Munsey wrote:
Great thoughts, my friend.

I'm sure you're on to something here. A few years ago while visiting the church we attended when I was doing some graduate studies, a friend there said, "I'll never forget your laugh." I thought, "That's a pretty good thing to be remembered for."

I've made people laugh during prayer and never felt the need to ask for forgiveness nor worried if I'm still going to heaven.

One time I told God a joke, and I'm sure I heard Him laugh! Funny thing, that. You could get all turned around and twisted like a pretzel over the omniscient creator of all things laughing at my joke (it probably was one that had been around awhile). "Come on, He knows everything!" I heard Him laugh. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Sat, March 10, 2012 @ 8:46 AM

12. Holly wrote:
Yes, I have formed an npooiin, and it has two points.One: God (or, in the case of the atheist homosexual, the creator ) would not devise a method for procreation and then not include members of His (or the creator's ) creation in the plan (in other words, why make a creation that would have to be created new each time, instead of giving them the desire to create their own little copies?);and two: aside from the physical issues, aside from the homosexuality is a sin issue, the fact that homosexuals are engaging in fornication, a sin in and of itself, is enough to send them to damnation.

Wed, March 21, 2012 @ 1:52 AM

13. Dash wrote:
LMAO. I m in the computer lab at college, and trying to make a scene as I stifle the laugh. I think I may need to go outside, but first Is this a real story? If so, wow I feel your pain. But not to that extent. I ve been in a waxing experiment gone wrong situation myself. Yeah funny story. The sad thing is there are so many who do go (almost) that far to shave.p s thanks for the laugh

Tue, April 3, 2012 @ 10:04 PM

14. Emmy wrote:
Yes, I have formed an opinion, and it has two points.One: God (or, in the case of the atheist homosexual, the creator ) would not devise a method for procreation and then not include members of His (or the creator s ) creation in the plan (in other words, why make a creation that would have to be created new each time, instead of giving them the desire to create their own little copies?);and two: aside from the physical issues, aside from the homosexuality is a sin issue, the fact that homosexuals are engaging in fornication, a sin in and of itself, is enough to send them to damnation.

Sat, April 14, 2012 @ 4:30 PM

15. Lynn wrote:
car insurance in florida hpftkr life insurance zeb home owners insurance quote >:-D

Sun, July 8, 2012 @ 7:23 PM

Add a New Comment

Enter the code you see below:
code
 

Comment Guidelines: No HTML is allowed. Off-topic or inappropriate comments will be edited or deleted. Thanks.

Topics