Last night we had a silent auction benefiting the Garnett Student Ministry. There were some great prizes donated by individuals and companies. I came away with a Lavender-Vanilla Aromatherapy kit from Bath and Body Works. It came with lotion, pillow mist (pillow mist?!), and milky bubble bath. Why would I buy such a thing? Well, Heather can use the lotion, I was intrigued by the pillow mist (pillow mist?!), but most of all, I wanted the bubble bath.
I love taking baths. My time in the bathtub is sacred. In the tub I read books, write sermons, write jokes, write silly songs, pray, meditate, chant, howl, rap, and play the air trumpet. Some of my best (and dumbest) ideas have come to me in the tub. I’m just not right if I don’t get some soak time every few days.
When we were house shopping a jetted-tub was non-negotiable. I can live without a garbage compactor, but not a jetted tub. A couple of years ago our jetted-tub broke down. When most household appliances break down, it takes me weeks, sometimes months, to get around to fixing them. When my tub stopped working, I made a late night trip to Lowes in my bathrobe.
It feels really good to be typing this. There is a stigma attached to men taking baths that needs to dealt with. I’m tired of quickly ducking into Bath and Body Works to buy some bath salts, hoping not to be seen. I know that guys down south have lost their ministry over such things. I really don’t care anymore. I’ve grown weary of hiding in the suds. So tonight, while I was sitting in the tub (where else?), I decided to take the lead and start the conversation. Some might say I’m coming out. I prefer to look at it as getting in . . . a nice warm bath.
Won’t you join me? Not in the tub, but in acknowledging the benefits, creative and otherwise, of an occasional bath.
Hey, why does my pillow smell so good?
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
I know what you mean, my mom takes me with her occassionally to bath and body works too. I try to keep a low profile and keep down. You have the guts to do something i would not do
youth student
david
Glad to know I am not alone. However, there are no jetted tubs. I also am able to think, read, and relax there.
Wade:
Okay. Now we know where those wild ideas come from. As for me, NO Baths. When one has been raised with 15 siblings and the bath water is only changed after 5 baths (depending on the color of the water) and Mom says she needs to exercise water conservation, so no showers, well you get my point. I was child #4 in the pecking order. I did not like bathtime. Especially after a sibling shaves in the bathtub. So, your vivid memories may be relaxing and therapeutic and inspiring a sermon/song/instrumental praise coming on…but, mine don’t. Bring on the showers!
Singing/Dancing in the showers, praising God is my cup of tea!