By now, most people have seen Will Smith slapping Chris Rock live at the Oscars. I am gonna be super slow to throw too many stones this morning. I can honestly say that I relate to Will Smith and Chris Rock.

I have spoken words that I thought were just funny but hurt someone else. I think I even did in a sermon yesterday…all for the sake of turning a joke. Attempting to be funny is, at times, risky business. I don’t think, however, I have ever spoken them about someone else’s wife though.

I have also overreacted, more than once, in a physically aggressive way, to someone insulting or speaking disrespectfully to my wife. You can call it toxic masculinity or defending someone I love’s honor or feeling offended for the universe. Even after 63 years, I am still not sure how the lizard brain works.

Also, I am a committed person of peace. I attempt to arrange my life for peace. I try not only to be peaceable but be peace in the world. That said, I am almost sure that if someone comes after my wife like Chris Rock has, more than once, come after Jada Pink, I am gonna sin. I’d like to say I wouldn’t, but it is a lie I can’t honestly hold to.

See, I relate to Will Smith’s actions of gallantry or dysregulation or whatever you wanna call it and I relate to Chris Rock’s wanting to be funny, even if at times it hurts others. I watched the incident only once and I wished I hadn’t. It feels way too much like watching a car crash. It feels way too much like me. Both, like stupid things I have actually done, with profound regret.

I am sad this morning.