Would Jesus Have a Man Cave?
If Jesus was alive today, do you think he would have a Man Cave? You probably have never thought about this before, but would he? You won’t find any specific references of Jesus’ man cave in the Bible, but if you dig a little deeper you will find Jesus seeking out what people long for in a man cave or she shed-a place of peace. There are so many men and women who seek a place where they can collect their thoughts and unwind from the stresses of the day. Jesus frequently did the same thing leaving the crowd or chaos and seeking a quiet place to pray.
A Place of Peace is Important
Like Jesus, we need to take time to take care of ourselves and find that place of peace. We need to have healthy habits and routines in our day to nourish and rest our mind, body, and soul. For this reason, it is no wonder that the terms She Shed and Man Cave have come to be. Essentially, these are places where we can seek peace and connect with our thoughts. These terms may be somewhat new, but the concept is not. A She Shed may be a literal shed in the back yard or a quiet room in the house. It’s a place where women like to go and escape from the noise of life. Maybe she gardens, does crafts, artwork, or just reads. The point is she finds a time and place to rebuild and take care of herself. As for the Man Cave, maybe it’s a workshop, garage, home gym, or a barn to hang out in. Maybe it is an office space where you retreat to. Whatever the case, men desire a place to rejuvenate as well.
Moderation is Critical
Man Caves and She Sheds can be good things, but when used for the wrong reason or without moderation, they can become a negative thing for the family. For example, when dad comes home from work instead of going into the house to interact with the family, he immediately retreats to his shop. He has the shop set up with the basics such as snacks and drinks, maybe even a tv and bathroom. This set up sounds good to many of us, but it may very well be detrimental to the relationship with his wife and kids. A fully furnished man cave leaves little reason for a husband or dad to ever have to interact with his family. Often, you’ll see the other spouse start to complain and resent their spouse’s little hideaway.
The idea of a Man Cave or She Shed may sound good on the surface, but be careful why and when it is used. At Rock Solid Families, we see couples running and hiding from each other on a regular basis. They avoid interaction with each other due to years of poor communication and conflict resolution skills. Hurt, resentment, and hardening of the heart build until one or the other spouse starts to believe the marriage is beyond repair.
Communication is Key
Man Caves and She Sheds can serve a valuable purpose in our mental or physical health, but if the marriage and your communication are not solid, then it is likely that these places of refuge are doing more harm than good. Do yourself a favor, tend to the marriage and family and you will find your Man Caves and She Sheds far more rewarding and enjoyable for everyone in the family.
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