‘Give to Your servant an
understanding heart.’ 1 Kings 3:9
Do you remember the ‘class
clown’ in the school? He could make everyone crack up at the most inopportune
times. He was a trial to his teachers, an embarrassment to his parents, and an
utter delight to every child who wanted to escape the boredom of school.
Teachers probably wonder if the Department for Education assigns at least one
clown to every class to make sure they earn every pound of their salaries.
These skilled little disrupters are usually boys. Often they have reading or
other academic difficulties. They may be small in stature, although not always,
and they’ll do anything for a laugh. Their parents and teachers may not
recognise that behind the boisterous behaviour is often the pain of
inferiority.
You see, humour is a classic
response to feelings of low self-esteem. That’s why within many successful
comedians is the memory of a hurting child. Jonathan Winters’ parents were
divorced when he was seven, and he used to cry when he was alone because other
children teased him about not having a father. Joan Rivers frequently joked
about her unattractiveness as a girl. She said she was such a ‘dog’, her father
had to throw a bone down the aisle to get her married. These famous comedians
got their training during childhood, using humour as a defence. That’s also the
inspiration for the class clown. By making an enormous joke out of everything,
they often conceal the self-doubt that churns inside them. Understanding that
should help you meet their needs and manage them more effectively. ‘Give to
Your servant an understanding heart’ is a prayer every parent and teacher
should pray.
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