Got Irony?

Written by Jen

Blog

No, this isn't a high school English class. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary has a variety of definitions for irony, but since I'm seeking the non-literary version, "incongruity between the actual result of a sequence of events and the normal or expected result, or: an event or result marked by such incongruity" seems adequate enough.

If you look at your own life, you'll find plenty of examples of irony. For me, irony is writing home and garden magazine features--when I am renowned for having significant deficits in the home-decorating arena. (But hey, I know theoretically how to bring life to my tired family room. I just can't make a decision to start the process.)

Irony is having a child with a peanut allergy-when my childhood nickname was "peanut."

Irony is being highly verbal and living with silent techies (not included is the college kid who communicates in bursts, usually focusing on the need for cash).

Irony is not having any technical skills and, well, see above.

Irony is giving my son a lecture on the importance of an organized work space when I am looking at a desk littered with everything from school pictures (they'll get in a frame eventually) and an envelope labeled "Christmas gift receipts...2009." Wait a minute, this fits better into the "hypocrisy" category.

Irony is developing an online magazine and hitting the wall with a case of writer's block that has lasted a year.

Irony is preaching that there is no such thing as writer's block.

Irony is having a daughter who loves to sew and craft, while I was a Brownie dropout and clearly recall rebuffing my own mother's teaching efforts with, "Sewing? I won't need that. I'm going to law school." (But that story presents another irony altogether.)

The only possible explanation for any of this is that God has a sense a humor. In fact, I suspect He purposefully wants to get our attention. Perhaps if we notice all the incongruities in our own life, we'll have to step out of our comfort zone and grow a little. Thus, I expect that I'll suddenly need to entertain 50 neighbors, host a dress-for-success seminar or get hired to write an article titled: "Positive Parenting: How encouragement and a perpetual smile can boost your child's potential."

Wanna laugh? Look for the ironic happenings in your own life. Choose a day when you really have no time for personal reflection. Then you'll fully appreciate the irony.