Sunday, February 20, 2011

What Knot To Do

For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

I met several friends for coffee one day and of course took my knitting with me. For some reason it is impossible for me to just sit still—I have to be doing something. And when I’m visiting with friends that something is usually knitting.

As we went back and forth, discussing our days Karen mentioned how neatly my ball of yarn was behaving. She went on to share how she’d been in a hurry to start a recent project and hadn’t bothered to wind her yarn into a ball, instead leaving it in a loose skein. Anyone who’s ever tried to save time this way knows what happened next—a knot of hopelessly tangled yarn.

We all shared a sympathetic laugh as she explained the lengths she’d had to go to unsnarl the mess. But as she talked Mary was the first to draw the comparison. “Isn’t that just like life? When we get in a hurry and rush ahead of God, life ends up in a tangled knot.”

Oh the wisdom in that insight. It certainly made me pause. So I ask you, where are you rushing ahead of God?  Join me in slowing down and letting God order our days as we learn what KNOT to do!

Don’t forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie

10 comments:

  1. Great analogy Edie (and Mary)! Seems to me that if I get in a hurry, or don't stop to look to God, I can even go the wrong way, then I'm really a mess! Knot good!

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  2. How true! And yet, I admit that I often feel the urge to rush ahead. But as I get older, the more I recognize the wisdom in it!

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  3. I'm craft-challenged, but even a non-knitter like me sees the wisdom of that word picture.
    Slo-owing down . . .

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  4. This was great Edie! I am reading Cec Murphey's book, "Knowing God, Knowing Myself". This morning I read his words concerning the sovereignty of God. He basically said, "I don't have to try to figure out what the next step is. That's God's job. My job is to wait before Him, listen to His whisper and then obey as He lights my path." Isn't that a wonderful way to say what we already know? It was like a light bulb moment...I don't have to figure out the next step. That's God's job. Bless you, friend!

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  5. I'm a knitter too, so I can relate to being one of those who doesn't roll her yarn. I didn't understand until I came to a tangle in the middle and had to spend most of my knitting time getting out the knot. I appreciate the metaphor to what God has in store for us. Thanks for the lovely word pictur

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  6. Thanks ladies! I hate to take the time "away" from knitting to wind yarn, but as Lisa attested, you end up using the time later on.And the analogy with real life is just too strong to overlook!

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  7. Love this! I like to rush ahead - in life & knitting. Thanks for the reminder!

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  8. Edie, thanks for that. Did you knit that scarf in the last picture? Very pretty.

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  9. This was great. My writing journey could be full of knotted yarn, unfinished projects, and hopeless tangles if it wasn't for friends like you who take the time to keep me straight.

    Thanks Edie!!!!

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  10. How very true this is. Just today, I thought my shortcuts were getting me ahead, but I'm a frayed knot.

    Okay, that was bad. But I like the word picture you gave in your post. It's amazing how many real-world examples provide illustrations for spiritual truths. This is no accident. The Lord knows how to make us see - if we'll open our eyes. Thanks for sharing!

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