Daily Devotional October 19, 2021

Shannon is one of those truly rare, irritating people that can do anything she sets her mind to.  She’s a jack of all trades.

She uses her tractor to rake the hay, pens and loads the cows, helps me build fence, plants every type of tree God ever created, grows flowers and vegetables, is incredibly artistic, shaves and bathes the dogs, takes care of me (which is a lot harder than taking care of the dogs), the list goes on and on….

When the pandemic hit, going to the barber was out of the question so Shannon decided she would cut my hair.  I was not hesitant because Shannon can do anything.  She did a great job.

Yesterday morning, before I got ready for work, Shannon said, “You need a haircut.”  She gave me one.

As she was cutting my hair, she began to apologize.  But, knowing Shannon is a perfectionist, I wasn’t too worried – I should have been.

Shannon had an off day.

When I finally looked in the mirror, I saw that Shannon had made me look like a porcupine with anger issues.

This got me thinking.

If my incredibly talented wife can give me a haircut that looks like she used a weed eater and a chain saw, that means anyone can have an off day.  Everyone messes up at one time or another.

Adam and Eve had an off day and they goofed up bigger than Dallas.  God showed them grace.

David had a doozy of an off a day.  God showed him forgiveness.

Saul had a few off years.  God showed him transformation.

God is not about our off days.  God is about giving us a future with hope, joy, and possibilities.

Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God never has an off day.  God’s the One we can always count on.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, as I begin this day, guide my steps, be in my thoughts and words.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

Sooner or later, you are going to have an off day.  It isn’t the end of the world.  Just trust God to point you in the right direction.  In the end, God’s all we truly need.

Also, just for the record, Shannon announced she is going to whittle on my head this morning to try and make me look human.  I’m hoping she doesn’t have another off day because there’s not much hair to work with.   Pray for me.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins