A Man is Stronger on His Knees, Than He is on His Feet

I'm fairly ashamed to say that for the longest time, I said my personal prayers without kneeling.  I have always grown up seeing my mom and dad kneel to say their personal prayers - at the beginning of the day before work, or before starting the daily chores, and at the end of the day when they could barely think straight.  I've always known that kneeling is the best way, that it shows respect to God, that it is reverent to do so, and all of those things.  But.  I have always just hopped in bed to say them, or if anything, sit up or kneel in my bed.  Of course, we all know what happens when you try to say your prayers while laying down.  You fall asleep.  Some mornings I would even notice myself finishing that fragmented prayer between pushing the snooze button.  I would always say my morning prayers (once I finally learned that lesson - that I couldn't NOT say my morning prayers without it greatly impacting my day) in the car, or on the bus, or walking to campus.   I guess I just sort of justified - as if it were some sort of "understanding between me and Heavenly Father" or that "that's just how our relationship is."  Oh, lanta.  How ridiculous is that.  Im cringing.  Like, gagging a little bit.  If you don't know what deception is - that's it.  Oh, but He was kind.  I know Heavenly Father still listened.  He never ceased to show me His love or answer my prayers.  He waited patiently for me to learn my lesson....which, I did.  One day when I was studying in 3rd Nephi, I read the scriptures about Christ going off on His own and  kneeling to pray to His father.  They were scriptures that I had read many times, but it hit me so hard that day!  If our Savior, the king of kings himself, kneels to our Father in Heaven...then I am dust!  Well, I sure wished to be dust at that moment because at least dust does exactly what the Lord expects it to.  Who am I to not kneel?  How selfish I had been?!  Now, I think the chastisement I put on myself was even more harsh than the gentle reminder that the Lord had to give me in that moment, but I sure realized how important it was for me to kneel when I can.  

Let me tell you something...it has made all the difference.  My relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has changed.  I LOVE kneeling, on my own, morning and night, to talk to my Father.  I love it!  Probably some of my favorite parts of the day.  I was only hurting myself by not kneeling before!  Now, of course sometimes I forget to kneel before running out the door in the morning, or sometimes I'm too cold, and just have to hop under my covers!  And of course, my prayers throughout the day - when I'm in class, or in a specific situation, or not at home - are just said in my heart, but even those prayers have seemed more meaningful because I have chosen to kneel when I can.  The communication line just got so much clearer!  Sahhh-weeeeet!!!!    

Guys, I'm not telling this story to do a big awkward confession, or to boast of my magnificent epiphany or whatevers haha.  I'm telling it to share that I know that from small things come GREAT things.  Oh, the lessons we learn in this life...sometimes over and over and over again because we are goofball humans.  Also, to share how real deception is!  What?!  Not me, I don't get decieved.  HA!  Yes, yes you do.  In little itty bitty ways.  In tiny, justification-you-don't-think-it-has-to-apply-to-you ways....IT ALL APPLIIIIIIES!!!  :)  Always.  Because God is good and He loves us, that's why.