Without A Washer

 

Without A Washer

Dan Lane

 

I recently bought a new fire pit for the patio.  It came with those fearsome words, “Some assembly required.”  What was supposed to take one and half to two hours took four and one part was not done, a glass windbreak around the pit part where they put the burners and rocks.   That looked easy, just an hour so.  Nope!  Getting it put basically together was easy enough.  Adjusting the corners so they looked right was another two to three.  They had to be level and, because the screws were touching glass, they kept slipping around.  Then there was the propane tank.  I went and bought a four- foot-long hose.  Instead of the usual black knob, it was supposed to screw into the tank nozzle.  Nope!  Wrong thread.  So, I went back to Lowe’s and got a 20-inch-long hose with the regular knob.  Then it was a struggle screwing it onto the pit fitting inside the pit, with very little room to work inside of it.  It worked at last and fired up as it was supposed to do.

 

Along the way, I had to attach the latch for the propane door and the control panel.  The instructions and diagram showed using the supplied screw and washer, one for the door and four for the panel.  The pit has a basket weave covering all over of it.  Try as I might, I could not get the screw for the latch to engage.  The screw and washer were on top of the weave.  No matter how hard I pushed, no luck, it just wasn’t long enough.  I finally took off the washer, and the screw engaged the threads.  Now on to the control panel.  Same problem with those screws.  So, same solution, remove the washers.  Once that was done, all four screws caught and the panel was mounted. 

 

Finished, done, and it works as it is supposed to do, and it looks nice.

 

Sometimes when we want to talk with God or ask him to do something, the usual method doesn’t feel right, or things or people keep getting in the way.  It doesn’t matter how much you try; they just won’t give you the time and opportunity.  Maybe you have always done it a certain way, a certain prayer format or sequence.  It’s just that darn old washer on the short screw.  Take a look at what you are doing and how.

 

Are there things getting in your way that are preventing you or stopping you from talking to God, praying to God, or living the way he wants you to live?  Maybe a friend, a job, a hobby, even the wrong person.  Just as I had to leave out some washers in order to get those screws to grab hold, maybe you need to leave those people or things behind which you are allowing you to not be close to God.  It may not be comfortable or painless.  It may take a lot of effort and determination.  But!  The prize is worth every bit of it.

 

So, how about you?  Are there “washers” in your life?  Are you going to try to keep them and not get close to God?  Or are you going to throw them out and enjoy all that God has promised you?