The Difference Between Nuts and Bolts

Bob heard a noise coming from the back of his work truck that caused him concern. Thinking it was the brakes, he began gathering estimates on what he’d need to fix them. One of the places he called was a store where a fellow coworker of his has a part-time job.

The conversation went something like this:

“Advanced Auto, this is Jeremy speaking, how can I help you?”

“I’m looking for brakes for my truck,” says Bob.

“What kind of truck is it?”

“A red one.”

The phone went silent for a few seconds before Jeremy realized it was Bob calling to torment him yet again. I can only imagine what he was thinking. He called Bob a name that I will not repeat here and then laughed — just as I was laughing when Bob related the story to me.

“You wait,” I said, “someday someone is going to call and talk to Jeremy just like you do and he’s going to go off on them thinking it’s you pranking him again.”

We did end up working on Bob’s truck. Well, to be honest, he worked and I handed him tools and such. Mostly, I was mesmerized by my hard-working husband and marveled again at his ability to tear things apart and put them back together again. (I was also admiring his muscles flexing while he torqued the wrench. ; ) ). Okay, so maybe most guys can pull off a brake job in their backyard, but there’s probably just as many guys that can’t. So I’m going to stick with marveling and add that there’s something about watching my man in action that I find irresistible.

One of the things Bob asked me for while working on his truck was a nut. I gave him the right thing but muttered “bolt”. I know he knows what he’s talking about and I know the difference between nuts, bolts, screwdrivers, wrenches, washers, etc. Due to the size and shape though, it made me think of a bolt.

“It’s not a bolt,” he tutored. “It’s a nut, a lug nut. It doesn’t screw, it gets screwed into. See,” he said, gesturing to himself, “bolt, male; nut, female. Male and female parts. That’s how it works.”

His banter got to me to thinking about things like that literally. There are definite differences between males and females. Though today’s society is trying to scramble or totally obliterate our obvious differences, we definitely have them. These differences aren’t meant to belittle either sex, they’re meant to complement them. I love the differences between my husband and myself — okay, so that’s not totally true. At times I find them to be absolutely maddening. If we females are nuts then it’s because the bolts, er, the males, made us that way. Smile! This is banter.

Seriously, God made us different for a reason and He doesn’t make mistakes. If you’re male, embrace it. If you’re female, embrace it. It takes too much effort and makes little sense in trying to be what we’re not created to be. We each have our own purpose. And when we come together, bringing what God gave us, something wonderful happens. It’s a beautiful thing.

Before I close, whether you be single or married, I have a couple of links I’d love for you to check out. Please be sure to come back!

Ladies first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUjRHXeTZFA

I ashamedly admit that I have done this on way too many occasions to Bob. (Sorry, Honey!) Gungor made a specific reference to a woman whose husband washed the dishes in one of his other videos. When she asked him why he did that chore, he said it was because he didn’t like seeing dirty dishes. His answer offended her! I had to smile because I know why. What she wanted his response to be was because he loved her sooo much. Hug, hug, kiss, kiss, yada, yada. His practical side kicked in where she was looking for the romantic. Yeah, I’ve been that woman at times. Got my hackles raised because it wasn’t all about me. Bob didn’t fix his truck because of his undying love and devotion to me. He did it because it needed done and I’m okay with that.

Ladies, I know we long for romance and we’re deserving of it, but let’s follow Gungor’s advice and lighten up on our men. I’m talking to myself here! Let’s try to be glad that he took out the trash of his own accord instead of trying to figure out the “motive” behind it.

(By the way, I know from talking with Bob that men aren’t immune to the sin of judging and trying to figure out the “whys” of others’ motives. Maybe it’s not as problematic for men as it is for women, but we are all susceptible to falling into the “judgment” trap).

Now it’s your turn men:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jxdu63EjQg

This video brought to mind the story of Johnny Lingo and his 8 cow wife. If you have time, you can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Lingo. No, there aren’t any pictures, but it is a short, interesting story with a profound point.

It is the wisest of men who realizes the power of their words . . . or the lack thereof. The girls walk on a cloud for days when their daddy compliments them. By the same token, if I knock myself out to look good and get no positive feedback, I’m much less inclined to do it again anytime soon. That is the nature of the beast, men. Treat your woman like an “8 cow wife” like Johnny Lingo did and you’ll have yourself an “8 cow wife”. Treat her like less and, well, you get the idea. Don’t blame me, I didn’t say it, a fellow man did. Men, please follow Gungor’s advice. Make the effort to love your women and your children with positive affirmations so that they are less inclined to become disheartened. It’ll be worth the effort.

(Likewise ladies, our words can be just as life-giving or destructive as a man’s. Let’s be cautious of our speech with those in our lives).

Be ye married or single, male or female, join me today in incorporating Mark Gungor’s advice into our everyday living. More than that, let’s be and celebrate who God created us to be. There is no one more suited to be me than me nor is there anyone more suited to be you than you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew0g1xnOT30