This blog started ironically in Hobby Lobby (a decidedly NON-masculine place) where I was with my oldest son, buying supplies for his science experiment when I saw this sign: 

In the interest of full disclosure, my immediate thought was: “Ridiculous…who the heck is buying that?!?”

I’m all about guys being guys and ladies being ladies.  But I’ve got to admit something: I’ve always been confused by the concept of “The Man Cave”.  Before you call me Nancy, hear me out.

The idea behind a man cave is for a dude to have a space for himself, for his friends, and for his interests. It’s the adult equivalent of the childhood tree fort with the “no girls allowed” hand-painted sign hanging on the door. Poker table, beer fridge, flat screen, dartboard, gun rack, deer heads, and anything else that gives that dude a place of solitude, a place of recess, a place of retreat, and a place all his own.  What could I possibly (especially as a guy) have against such a guyish euphoria?

It’s silly.  I know that silly has its place, but dedicating an entire room in the house for the dude to have fun?  Call me crazy but for me, that room is my bedroom.  *winkwink*

It’s selfish.  I think its good for married men to have a sense of “this is my house” and “I’m the king of my house”, or whatever else peps them up to stand up and lead.  But saying “this is my room” and “I’m the king of this room” seems a bit…well…self-serving.

It’s sad.  Really? You need space between you and your family? You need peace and quiet where you can watch the game? Ugh.  So sorry for you.  I guess I’m the kind of guy/husband/dad that actually CRAVES as much time with my family as I can get. 

I know this blog post is perhaps uncharacteristically rant-like, and I know you might think I’m just whining because I don’t have a man cave so I’m jealousy ripping on those who do.  And I further know that it probably crushes any invitations that were forthcoming to man caves worldwide.  

I can live with all three of those.

A friend recently sent me a picture of my youngest daughter at a bowling event our church’s children’s ministry had this past weekend.  She had rolled the ball, was seeing the ball take a turn she didn’t want it to take, and dropped to her knees in prayer. 

What I didn’t notice right away in the picture however was the fact that the lane she was bowling on had those “bumpers” that block the ball from going into the gutter.  So, in essence no matter what, at least she could know that the ball WASN’T going in the gutter.

What are you facing today?  If you’re facing it while loving and following Jesus you can know that no matter what, the outcome is going to be good.  (Key truth: your “good” and His “good” don’t always look the same. In those cases, go with HIS “good”.)  Why? Because HE’S good.  And God can’t not BE good, DO good, and GIVE good things.  

So, pray with confidence knowing that the loving Heavenly Father is hearing you, guiding you, and answering you.  And know in faith that His answer is good.  And rest assured, the bumpers are up.

 

 

A few verses on God’s goodness…

Matt. 6:8: “…for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”

Matt. 7:11: “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Psalm 107:1: “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting.”