December 17, 2019

Recently, I asked Shannon to buy me a new pair of reading classes because I had broken my only pair.

When she returned from the store, I looked suspiciously at my new glasses. I didn’t say anything negative because she had been kind enough to get them for me. The best way to describe them is that they looked feminine.

The next day at church, as I was wearing my reading glasses, I asked Pastor Brian if they looked like women’s reading glasses. He said, “If you have to ask, you already know the answer.” This made me very uncomfortable, but I had to wear them. My arms aren’t long enough to hold a book on the other side of the room so I can read it. I began to feel a little insecure in my masculinity.

During the week, I usually wear jeans and boots to work. And because of the way I walk, it sounds like a water buffalo tromping through the halls of the church.

As I walked down the hall, Grace called from her office. She and said she could always tell when I was in the hallway because it sounded like a woman wearing high heels. That’s when I began to feel even more insecure in my masculinity.

These two very hurtful events made me begin to question who I am. This got me thinking.

While you may not have someone make fun of your girly reading glasses, or say you sound like a woman in high heels, more than likely, somehow, somewhere, someone has said something that made you doubt who you are.

If you ever find yourself in this very uncomfortable situation, always remember, you belong to God. You are God’s child and nothing can ever pull you from God’s loving embrace.

That’s what Paul meant by saying, “So what are we going to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He didn’t spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. Won’t he also freely give us all things with him?… But in all these things we win a sweeping victory through the one who loved us. I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus our Lord: not death or life, not angels or rulers, not present things or future things, not powers or height or depth, or any other thing that is created.” (Romans 8:31-32 & 37-39 CEB)

God has moved heaven and earth in order to make sure that you will never be without his loving presence. That’s because you are God’s child. That’s who you are. There’s nothing better.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I begin to lose who I am, bring me back to your path. I humbly ask that you continue to walk with me and remind me who I am and whose I am. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Today after work, in order to feel secure in my masculinity, I’m going to drive my tractor, feed the cows, shot a shotgun, and pull a calf – all at the same time. Then Brian’s and Grace’s hurtful, mean, and cutting words won’t bother me anymore.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins