I thought how fun it
would be to title this Christmas in July until I realized, July is behind us.
would be to title this Christmas in July until I realized, July is behind us.
My kids go back to
school tomorrow. I have a daughter in high school. Do I really even have to ask
you for prayer on that one? I didn’t think so. Thanks for praying for me. And
for her.
school tomorrow. I have a daughter in high school. Do I really even have to ask
you for prayer on that one? I didn’t think so. Thanks for praying for me. And
for her.
I’ve been going to
the gym with my maniac husband six days a week. I’m working into my fifth
week–I think (Remember I thought it was July until a few minutes ago). The
other morning, I grabbed my earbuds and the cord was tangled into this
ridiculous knot.
the gym with my maniac husband six days a week. I’m working into my fifth
week–I think (Remember I thought it was July until a few minutes ago). The
other morning, I grabbed my earbuds and the cord was tangled into this
ridiculous knot.
My first thought
was, “Got a little knot here, Russ. You work on that.” Did you guess
the movie?
was, “Got a little knot here, Russ. You work on that.” Did you guess
the movie?
Christmas Vacation.
I love those crazy Griswolds.
I love those crazy Griswolds.
I was on a time
crunch–had to get out the door and to the gym by five a.m. So I started shaking,
tugging, stretching and you know what I did?
crunch–had to get out the door and to the gym by five a.m. So I started shaking,
tugging, stretching and you know what I did?
I made the knot
worse.
worse.
Which irritated the
snot out of me.
snot out of me.
I was ready for that
crazy knot to be
crazy knot to be
untangled so I could move on with my day.
Knots aren’t always
quick fixes. The bigger and tighter the knot, the harder to unwind it–to make
it straight.
quick fixes. The bigger and tighter the knot, the harder to unwind it–to make
it straight.
It takes several
deep breaths before a close examination.
deep breaths before a close examination.
You pick one strand
to work with. And you use that strand to dip under, through and around until
you can break free. Even if a little.
to work with. And you use that strand to dip under, through and around until
you can break free. Even if a little.
It takes a few
minutes of concentration, patience, and endurance.
minutes of concentration, patience, and endurance.
But when the knot is
untangled, you can move on with your day. With your life.
untangled, you can move on with your day. With your life.
You ever get knots
in your life? You neglect it and becomes entangled with other areas of neglect
or dare I say unconfessed sin?
in your life? You neglect it and becomes entangled with other areas of neglect
or dare I say unconfessed sin?
You may think,
“I ought to just go for the world record of the largest sin and neglect
knot. I could win the Guinness.”
“I ought to just go for the world record of the largest sin and neglect
knot. I could win the Guinness.”
One big knot looks
daunting.
daunting.
But one strand…
I thought about
Russ’s father, Clark, leaving him there to untangle that huge knot all by
himself. The look on that boy’s face was utter hopelessness.
Russ’s father, Clark, leaving him there to untangle that huge knot all by
himself. The look on that boy’s face was utter hopelessness.
God never leaves us
to sort out our own knots. While we’re jerking, shaking, and getting frustrated
trying to do it on our own. He patiently waits for us to bring it to Him.
to sort out our own knots. While we’re jerking, shaking, and getting frustrated
trying to do it on our own. He patiently waits for us to bring it to Him.
Sometimes He helps
us in a matter of minutes. And sometimes we have to work that one strand for a
period of time.
us in a matter of minutes. And sometimes we have to work that one strand for a
period of time.
But He never leaves
us or disappoints us. Not like Russ’s dad.
us or disappoints us. Not like Russ’s dad.
Maybe it’s a bundle
of nerves. A knot of despair. A ball of worry. Whatever it is, you can take it
to God and He’ll help you straighten it out.
of nerves. A knot of despair. A ball of worry. Whatever it is, you can take it
to God and He’ll help you straighten it out.
“Disciples so
often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.”
often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.”
Psalm 34:9 MSG
What’s got you in knots today?
And how can I pray for
you?
you?
That's one of my favorite movies! I often work into a knot of insecurity – am I good enough??? It's one God and I are often untangling. Keeps me close to Him for sure:)
I'll be praying for your knots too:)
Love that movie. My son is starting preschool on the 21st. Which is harder–a kid starting preschool or high school? They both sound pretty stinkin' scary. I'll be praying for you and your daughter!
Big fat amen to this: God never leaves us to sort out our own knots. SO TRUE. Kills me when I realize I've been striving and slaving over something for hours (or um days, weeks, months, you know) without stopping and praying and letting God take over.
Lately the knot tying me up is busyness and too many things happening at once. Good things. But it's knotting up my focus, that's for sure.
Love, love, love!! The idea that God doesn't leave us to untangle our own knots is so reassuring. Seriously.
The knot lately in my life is thinking too much about the future. Struggling against worry…but not really worry so much as impatience to know God's plan. Just trying to live day to day and trust Him more.
Jess, this was great!
Christmas Vacation is an annual staple at our house. Who can't relate in some way to the Griswolds? LOL
Loved your analogy of bringing our "knots" before God. So true!
Jess, your funny, honest words made me laugh out loud and then tears well up. Man, I LOVE this: "God never leaves us to sort out our own knots." Gives a whole new meaning to those hard days. Hugs!
Love this, Jessica. Thank God He doesn't leave us to untangle the mess alone! He is so good. I'm working knots of insecurity and fear regarding my writing. I keep reminding myself that my future is in God's hands, and as long as I'm abiding in Him and living to please Him, I can't mess things up. But I still worry, and so I make the knot bigger. It's time to sort out those strands. 🙂 I'll be praying for your daughter.
My knots are constant reminders of the failures I've had in life. And while I know they aren't from the Lord, they still manage to tangle me up!
Thank God for the strength to get free from our past!