Knots in the rope

On Sunday, our pastor was talking about prayer. He talked about how Jesus prayed for strength to get through all that he was going to endure in the coming days. One of the things he said was the Bible tells us to "Pray and don't faint". Very insightful. But the thing that got me was when he started talking about how praying puts knots in your rope. Ever tried to climb a rope that doesn't have any knots in it? It's not all that fun. But put just one knot in it and you can scale the rope with more ease. Add another knot.... even easier. He talked about when he was a kid and he made a rope swing. All it was was a rope with a bunch of knots in it and at one point it had so many knots in one place that the smaller knots made one big knot that he could just sit on and enjoy the ride.

Isn't it amazing how when you add knots to your rope, the ride is a LOT easier? I have been thinking about that the last couple of days. I had been having so many things going through my mind that I was trying to take care of myself and one night I got to thinking "Hey dummy.... when was the last time you actually prayed and left it at God's feet?". I had to be honest with myself (and also with God) that I hadn't actually PRAYED since Dad's last cardiac surgery. I mean I had prayed that He take care of people, but never laid any of MY problems at His feet. It was always for someone else's benefit that I was praying. It may sound selfish, but when I started praying for my own guidance and personal help, my life became.... well... HAPPY again.

I don't go to church often. I hate to admit that and know that my Grandfather rolls in his grave when I talk about it. He would not approve of my church attendance. However.... I DO have a working relationship with God. I am only human. I screw up. A LOT. But I do try. Again, I am only human. I just have to keep tying those knots and enjoying the ride. Sounds rather simple. But then again.... Life with God makes everything a lot easier.