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We didn’t always understand my mentally disabled brother’s sense of humor. I illustrated that point when I was invited to share memories at his memorial service.

Larry had reached shaving age and was allowed to use the electric shaver. One Sunday morning, he came out of the bathroom with a silly grin but looking very odd. To my horror, he had shaved off both his eyebrows.

In the present day, some might consider that choice cool, but it was not a good move then. Being a fourteen-year-old easily embarrassed by my family’s uncool behaviors, I stated that there was no way we could go to church with him looking like that. What would everyone think? My primary concern, however, was that people would make fun of me because he was my brother.

Well, we still went to church, no one died of embarrassment, and eventually, his eyebrows grew back. I didn’t see the humor back then, but when relating the story to my husband in the present, I laughed so hard I could hardly get the words out. I’m unsure if Larry did it as a prank and knew it was funny or because he enjoyed using that electric shaver so much that he didn’t want to stop. Whatever the case, it certainly caused some raised eyebrows at our house.

Not always feeling comfortable around my brother due to his disability, I’m thankful that Jesus, through His eyes of love, His heart of compassion, and yes, His sense of humor, gave me the grace to see Larry. And aren’t we all ridiculous sometimes and in need of His grace? What a great and merciful God we have. I rejoice that Larry is with Him now, eyebrows or no eyebrows, but fully healed and whole. 

Think of someone in your life that you need to see through God’s eyes, maybe even with humor.