If someone has a deep theological question, they usually don't think "I gotta call Robb." If my middle schooler has a math question she goes to her mom, not me.
I do have the ability to make people laugh and I enjoy doing it, even if it is at my own expense. I was not voted valedictorian of my senior class, I was voted class clown.
In high school my tenth grade year, I was in a large class for "study hall." This was an over sized room with twice the number of kids as the average class. My track coach was the teacher and we got along well, but he ran a pretty tight ship in study hall. I do not remember what got me laughing one day, but I could not stop. What started as a small snicker, soon could not be contained even with my head down.
I was called up to the teacher's desk and he informed me I needed to stop. I failed, and he called me to his desk again. The third time he said, "if you laugh again you will have to go the principal's office." I said o.k. and returned to my seat.
It was not but a few minutes later, I lost it! I was laughing so hard I could not see straight. My face was blood red and tears of laughter were coming out of my eyes. The teacher just pointed to the principal's office. I still to this day think he wanted to laugh but he hid it well.
I can remember leaving the class trying to hold it in. I got about 10 yards down the hall from the class and could not hold it any longer. I laughed so loud the class could easily hear me and I immediately heard the whole class break out in laughter. The principal asked me why I was there and I told him I could not stop laughing. He had me sit in a chair and told me to try and keep it down and go to my next class when it was time; he had bigger fish to fry. I think that is the only time I was ever sent to the principal's office.
Another story comes to mind. This is definitely one that was not funny at the time and can still make you cringe. My brother was fighting stage 4 melanoma and was traveling from Lexington, KY to Duke University for treatments on a regular basis (Cancer puts UK and Duke basketball in perspective).
In walking distance to Duke hospital is a hotel where a lot of patients stay. My brother and I were sharing a room, he had an appointment the next morning. For some reason I thought it may be funny to sneak out of my bed as he was about to fall asleep and sound off a huge blow horn that sounded like a semi was in the room laying on the horn.
As you may guess, he did not see the humor in that idea immediately. As I look back, I hope those rooms had thick walls and the sound was contained. Scott and I have actually been able to laugh about that many times since; so the laughter did come, it was just delayed.
That story does not represent what I am talking about when I mention a strength sometimes being a weakness (though some could argue that and have a strong case).
On the positive side, I have been able to make people laugh during every day life; be it at work, church, or with family and friends. However, humor has allowed me to bring some light to very dark situations as well. When I was laid off from work I was able to bring humor into conversations and let people know I was o.k.. I was able to make my brother laugh on some of those long car rides to Duke. I have been present when a dear friend was knocking on deaths door and been able to lighten the load for his family, if only for a few brief seconds in miles of darkness. Those are moments for which I am thankful. I will often pray and ask God for what to say to a spouse that has a sick loved one or help in finding the right words in a difficult time. Often it is serious and not the time for humor. However, many times God answers with "be yourself they want Robb not C.S. Lewis."
I enjoyed reading in Sam Shoemaker's, Under New Management, that a good witness needs humor. He states it is good to have "the awareness that we do not have all the answers, and are sometimes pretty poor at living out the ones we have. Humor, especially when directed at ourselves, is the best way to let people realize that while we take our religion (I would change this to our faith), very seriously, we do not take ourselves seriously at all!"
He goes onto say "it counteracts the "stuffed shirt quality" and he asks "How many of you still have a sneaking suspicion that religion and humor don't mix- that you can be humorous until you mention God, but then you must be solemn? This is heresy- but there are thousands who believe it, and by their solemn piety drive people away from the stream of life!"
So when do I feel like humor is a weakness for me? When someone has a serious question, a worry, a concern that they want to share and I go for a quick one liner and a laugh. When the person actually needed a sincere ear. Humor comes quick and easy for me. I can mistakenly take the easy road and try to make humor the fix all for every situation. However, the reality is- it's not. I actually enjoy the sincere moments. I leave those times thanking God he used me in those situations but it is not my natural instinct.
Are you blessed with the ability to speak and communicate well? If so, are there times you should listen?
Are you a good listener? If so, great! I think this one is in demand; but are you at times quiet when you know God is calling on you to speak?
Are you great at saying"yes"? Is God sometimes telling you to say "no" and be still?
Are you smart and a great teacher? Sometimes you may need to be the student and be open to learning.
When can your strength become a weakness?
Robb
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