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The Only Difference Between Men and Boys…

By December 27, 2012August 30th, 2022Devotional

… is the price of their toys. Ever heard that line before – I have. Well, tonight, it fits. I really want to start out this evening with a correction – perhaps an admission would be a better term to use. Last night, I made the comment that in the old days, I would have thought of my new snowblower as a toy – but not anymore. Now it is just a tool to get a job done the most efficient way possible. I think I was wrong – in some ways it’s still a toy… 😉 But I have a defense, I really do, so please let me explain…

If you know me at all, you must realize that I tend to re-visit my decisions. Not the big corporate ones – I am fine with those. But the little ones, the ones that are insignificant in the scheme of things, are the ones that I have trouble with sometimes. Like which TV to buy, or which color shirt I would like, or which Orvis suitcase I should buy next, or which snowblower do I really need. Get the idea?

Well, I have used the same snowblower for the past 18 years and you know what? I NEVER LIKED IT! From the day it was new, I regretted my decision and wished that I had chosen something a little larger. That was when we lived in the larger house, on a corner, and so I had sidewalks on both streets and a three car wide driveway that was fairly long. I dreaded going out to blow the snow, but it beat shoveling by hand. Twelve years ago we moved into our current home and the house, along with everything else, is smaller than we had before, so in all reality, I really don’t need the super duper model.

When I was forced into a decision about the snowblower yesterday, I kind of regretted my decision. After all, if you have hated a tool for the past 18 years and now you buy the newer model of the exact same thing, you must have a screw loose. So I started considering returning the thing before I used it and then I could step up to the next biggest model – one that could probably throw snow over the house…

All the while, I was looking stuff up on the internet and figuring out what I was going to do this morning. I still hadn’t let the shop know if I wanted the old one repaired for Kristin or not – and it never hurts to have a spare – right? Luckily, I am married to a really practical woman. Janet announced to me this morning that SHE had made a decision about the snowblower.

We were keeping the one I bought yesterday, the old one would not be repaired, and I would like the new one – end of discussion. If for some reason it was inadequate for Indiana weather, we would consider other options next year. Period. Now this whole line of interaction with Janet is kind of unusual, but today, it made sense. I was a little stuck – okay, a whole lot stuck – and Janet made the call. I love her for things like that.

Maybe most husbands would be lamenting the opinion of their spouse, but I was glad to have Janet speak into the issue. She knows me better than anybody – so I don’t mind at all. After getting ready to head out and do the neighbor’s driveway, I fired up the new addition to my power tools and headed out down the driveway. First off, I really liked the sound – a brand new 7 horsepower toy, oops, TOOL to help me efficiently move snow.

Over to the neighbor’s house I went and started the first pass. Wow! The snow almost hit the street from the top of the driveway. That was a whole lot better than the old one… And the ease of moving the chute from one direction to the other. It was easy – much easier than the old one. Before I knew it, I was done with the driveway and attacked the sidewalk. Soon that was finished also.

Getting ready to head home, I noticed the next guy down the block outside, starting to shovel his driveway. Nice guy, great neighbor, but in his eighties without a coat, he shouldn’t have been trying to shovel the drive. No worries – I was there with my brand new, 7 horsepower, electric start, state of the art, snowblower. Soon his driveway and sidewalks were done as well. After three houses and all the related cleaning up, I was exhausted but exhilarated. The new machine had performed well – far better than I thought it would. I brought it home, put my tools away and came inside – satisfied that I, make that Janet, had made the correct choice about which unit to buy.

Later in the day, I called the shop and asked them to dispose of the old blower. No need for a back-up – this one will do just fine… so on reflection, I have had an attitude adjustment from yesterday. The verse for tonight is still about snow. I won’t have many chances to use these verses, so I’m going to use them while I can.

In Isaiah 55:10-11, God speaks of the snow and how it returns to Him having accomplished His purpose. We are told, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

So God has a purpose for everything and His will is going to be accomplished. My encouragement this evening is to affirm that God has a purpose for everything, and that includes you. My prayer is that you will be open to the purpose that God has in mind for your life and even if you don’t see the long term benefit, trust that God already has it all figured out. After all, He’s God! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

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