I came across this comic in last Sunday’s paper.  I thought it was funny.  Man cave!  Haha.

I know what a man cave is but I looked up a definition anyway.  The simple one was:  “a male sanctuary”.  This definition elaborated:  “An emotional sanctuary for men when they’re stressed and need “space” or time away from females, responsibilities, etc.”

Well I am reading this book my friend loaned me called, “Christ the Lord, The Road to Cana” by Anne Rice.  It is a novel of the life of Christ before his ministry.  It gives you the feeling of what life was like for Jesus in ancient Jerusalem – about things he did, what his home life may have been like, and events that may have happened and led up to the life of Jesus we know about from the bible.  Ann Rice has Jesus visiting the Garden of Gethsemane quite often as a favorite, peaceful place where he can retreat to.  I thought it was rather like his man cave!  Well, why not?  We all know how Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray before Judas came there to betray him.  It couldn’t have been Jesus’ first visit there.  It was where He went when he was stressed, or needed “space” … it was His Sanctuary. 

Gethsemane means “olive oil press” in Greek and the Garden is believed to actually be a grove of olive trees where a press was also located.  I bet it was a cool place.  A grove of beautiful old olive trees whose leaves probably whispered to Jesus when he visited.

It made me think 🙂

We ALL need a man cave – women too!  Maybe you have one.  Jesus knew the importance of getting away from people and the problems of the outside world.  It was a place where He could pray and find peace.  It doesn’t have to be an actual cave.  Maybe your special space is that comfy corner chair with a cup of coffee when no one else is home.  Some people find solace when they can go to their bedroom and close the door to be alone with their thought and prayers.  Many people actually have a garden where they can sit and reflect. 

It doesn’t matter what or where your man cave is.  The point is, everyone needs a place where they can go to be alone with God.  I hope you all have that space and take the time.

I hope you find your own Garden of Gethsemane.

Just Laurel

Matthew 26:36  Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”