Daily Devotional for November 17, 2022

Yesterday was my first day back to the church after being off a week.  I couldn’t wait to catch up with everyone.

One of the first people I saw when I walked through the doors of Dennis Hall was Melanie.  She was filling bags of food for those who come to our church needing assistance.

I asked how everything was going in her world.  In a very exasperated voice she said, “Dad just bought a new pickup truck.  He ordered it awhile back and it arrived yesterday.”

Knowing Melanie’s father is ninety-six years old and has tremendous mobility issues, I said, “How’s he going to get into a fullsized truck?  Is he going to use a stepstool?”

Melanie rolled her eyes and said, “We aren’t sure, but we are talking about getting Dad a stepstool.”  This got me thinking.

It was hard for Melanie to believe her father, at his very advanced age, would buy a truck that was so tall, he’d have to use a crane to get into it.  Then the realization hit me.

Women simply don’t understand men.

So, for you women out there that are continually perplexed by your husband’s sometimes insane and impractical decisions, let me share with you a truth that started with the very first two humans to exist and how, after all these eons, nothing’s changed.

Men are incredibly simple creatures.  In fact, sometimes we don’t think because we actually have the ability to think about nothing.  There are times when our minds are completely empty.  It’s our favorite thing to do.

When a man acts like nothing more than a lump on a log, know it’s not act.  We really aren’t thinking.  It happens all the time.

At the dawn of history, when Adam and Eve first encountered the serpent, Eve did all the talking.  Why?  Because Adam had gone into lump on a log mode.  And when she gave him the fruit, scripture says, “She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.”  (Genesis 3:6b). He wasn’t thinking.

This is this sort of thinking that allows a ninety-six-year-old man to buy a giant truck, or in my case, it allows a sixty-year-old man to sink a skid steer in neck-deep mud while cleaning out a stock tank.

What are women supposed to do when dealing with the nonthinking side of the human race?  It’s easy.

Paul said, “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” (Romans 15:1)

In other words, if a man in your life is making you crazy, remember, he’s not thinking.  It’s how men are made.

You don’t have to always understand other people’s crazy decisions, but God does expect you to show grace.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly God, in those moments when I become exasperated with others, give me patience, peace, and remind me of my own need for your grace.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

So, if someone in your life is making you nuts, remember, grace matters.  Show some.

Just for the record, I am really looking forward to seeing Melanie’s father’s truck.  Someday, in my ancient years, I will do the exact same thing.

Also, when Shannon reads today’s devotional, I’m going to say someone hacked the Daily Devotionals and wrote a misleading, derogatory devotional about men.  I will act very offended.  

Let’s hope she buys it.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins