Laugh

My family loves dry humor, and we do our best to keep a straight face and not laugh in response.

But sometimes I get surprised and my laughter breaks out loudly. I don’t know how my laugh is so loud when I struggle for my words to even be heard sometimes!

On that note, I’ll share a deeply embarrassing moment of high school with you.

We were gathered in the school auditorium for an all-school assembly. The guest speaker was giving some sort of stay-out-of-trouble speech, using their child’s story as an example.

I was listening intently until they shared the moment they heard their child had died. It caught me off-guard, and I laughed. Loudly. My laughter reverberated across the auditorium, cutting through the thick silence of shocked students.

I really, truly thought the speaker was joking, and I meant to show my support.

I quickly realized my mistake and felt utterly appalled, as did the other students sitting nearby.

What’s my take on the inside scoop? Don’t be too quick to judge others when they respond inappropriately, however that response comes across. They may be completely misinterpreting the situation.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

James 1:19-20 NLT

But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.

Matthew 5:22 NLT

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This post was a response to Kate’s Five Minute Friday prompt, “Laugh.” Want to see how others responded? Join in here!