Daily Devotional August 1, 2022

Rerun of Daily Devotional August 6, 2016 (No one ever said I was the brightest bulb in the box)

Yesterday as I was driving into town to get cattle feed, I called Shannon to tell her I was going to stop by the department store to buy some underwear.  She asked that I buy her some too.

Typically, I would have told Shannon she needed to buy her own underwear because that part of the department store has always scared me.  But she had been sick in bed the entire Labor Day weekend, so I decided to be very accommodating.

I drove to the department store, grabbed a package of men’s underwear, and then walked into no-man’s land.  It was time to buy Shannon’s underwear.  That’s when I became overwhelmed.

When I saw all the different brands and types of underwear, I knew I was in over my head.  I called Shannon to ask exactly what brand of underwear she wanted.  She asked me to describe the underwear to her. I did a very poor job trying to describe the different types of underwear.

Then Shannon said, “Take a picture and send it to me.”

So, being the dutiful husband, I used my cell phone to take a picture of women’s underwear.  

Just as I snapped the picture, a woman walked by and looked at me with utter disgust and loathing.

At that moment, I realized I was a fifty-four-year-old man, standing in the women’s section of the department store, taking pictures of women’s underwear with my cell phone.  It didn’t look good.

I wanted to say to the woman, “I know it looks bad but I’m not a weirdo.  I am taking a picture of women’s underwear because my wife told me to.”  But then sanity returned, and I remembered the wise words of King Solomon: “Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin.”  (Proverbs 13:3) So I didn’t say anything.

I quickly grabbed a package of women’s underwear, hurried to the cashier, paid, and was out the door before I got kicked out of the store for being a weirdo.

The lesson to this sad moment in my life is:  The next time you see a man standing in the women’s department taking pictures of women’s underwear with his cell phone, don’t immediately conclude he is a freak that needs to be locked away.  He may be an ignorant husband following his wife’s instructions.

Always remember what Jesus said, “Judge not, so that you will not be judged.”  (Matthew 7:1)

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I am tempted to look at others with contempt and disdain, remind me that they too are your children.  Give me wisdom and insight as I serve you this day.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

I called Shannon to tell her I almost got arrested buying her underwear.  Instead of sympathy, she just laughed and said, “Write a devotional about it.  It makes you look human.”

I don’t want to be human anymore.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins