Funny?

Heard the one about the blonde who appeared to be throwing away half her M&Ms?  She thought they were Ws!  Since all but one of my children were blondes while growing up, and most still are blondes, we love blonde jokes.  If one of them makes a minor mistake or can't recall something, she'll usually say, "Oh!  Blonde moment!"  But if I make a mistake or forget something, the one with me will say, "Senior moment!"  Funny how that works.  Oh, well, old is as old does (with apologies to Forrest Gump!).

Situation:  There was a middle-aged man slowly making his way down the sidewalk.  He limped to one side and one arm was curled up.  Following him were three teenagers laughing and imitating him.  Was this funny?

Singer Dolly Parton grew up in a poor family.  As a young girl, Dolly was very proud of a new coat her mother had sewn for her, using pieces of different colored fabrics.  When Dolly went to school the kids laughed at her about her "Coat of Many Colors."  Was this funny?

Daughter #7, Marie, had white blond hair as a child.  One summer, when she was about ten years old, our local pool had problems with their chlorination system. Marie's hair turned a pale mint green.  Strangers came up to her and laughed about her hair.  In addition, when she went back to school in the fall, her classmates poked fun at her.  Was this funny?

If a person looks or acts or talks differently than others, they are frequently made fun of or teased.  Even King George VI of England was mimicked and taunted by his father, King George V, for stuttering as a boy and young man.  Was this funny?

Wise words from my friend, Peggy: "You can tell a person's character by what they laugh at."

Then there are those who perceive of themselves as oh-so-funny when they make jokes at other's expense.  More of Peggy's wisdom, "If someone plays jokes at other's expense, pay attention!"  This can be very hurtful to the jokester's victim.  (If you are dating a person like this, just leave him or her alone.  This is a sign of cruelty - you will, in time, be one of their victims.)

Lord God, we ask you today to give us the strength to defend those who are attacked by words.  We want to spread love and acceptance of all your people!