Skip to main content

In the Potter's Hand

This past Sunday I told a story about my boy having bad dreams. I said that I would talk more about how that was resolved so I wanted to take this time to write an encouragement to all of you in the church. If you remember, Cora came to tell us that her brother was crying and would we please do something about it because, she said,

"It's keeping me awake." 

We decided to bypass the lack of compassion in this very tired sister and so Mom went down to comfort the boy. As Beth went into his room, Toby was softly crying but she could see that he was shaking and covered in sweat. She brought him out of his room and held him close but he wasn't settling down. Beth tried to talk to him about the dream but he could only say that it was bad and he didn't like thinking about it. He was clenched up in her lap and he was still whimpering in a way that told Beth just how scared he was. Her response was to get him to talk. 

Beth: "Toby, tell me something that is true." 
He though for a bit but he didn't say anything.  
Beth: "Toby, does Daddy love you?" 
He quickly replied.
Toby: "Yes."
Beth: "Does Mommy love you?"
Toby: "Yes."
Beth: "Toby, are you safe?"
Toby: "Yes."

At that moment, Beth told me later, she felt his whole body soften and Toby stopped crying. Being in the potter's hand is much more than knowing that He has a plan. There are times when our senses and thoughts make us tighten up and the only thing we can see is the chaos of our immediate circumstances. In the same way, past experiences can shape us into a jagged pot that can't even function because because of the distortion caused by pain, confusion, anxiety, or anger. There are times when God will break us so He can reshape us, there are other times when He knows the best thing to do is to soften us. At those times, listen to the voice inside that says,

"My child, tell me something that is true."
If you can't think of an eternal truth then allow Him to ask.
"Does your Father love you?"
"Yes."

"God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

Allow yourself to be placed in the safety of the potter's hand. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

All In Good Time

Where does my help come from...and when will it get here?! I have a fairly predictable struggle in my faith walk when it comes down to the timing I would prefer versus the timing of God. Mostly this revolves around my own comfort and desires but there have been occasions when God's timing has cause me deep pain and sadness. Still, I trust Him. In the those times of real struggle I place my hope in what Jesus has already accomplished, and then cast my gaze to what the Bible reveals of the final victory. The greatest resource for my peace is not found in a distraction or a pleasant feeling but in the reality of Christ's death and resurrection. Knowing God was able to bring about the salvation of all in that way, I renew my faith in that great and glorious day yet to come. Sure, my anticipation grows with every look ahead but my temporal peace also increases even in the midst of calamity. Still, I trust Him. This statement is not a mantra or religious chat I use to calm myself i...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Revelation of Belonging

Belong is a bit of a goofy word. Say it a few times and tell me it doesn't feel like you're just playing with sounds while you're trying to think of a better word. Ok, maybe that's just me. The desire to belong, on the other hand, is something we wrestle with throughout our lives. We try not to give in to it so that we don't become social chameleons. Many of us carry scars from groups we have been a part of. There are others who take it for granted, as they always seem to fit in wherever they go. Whatever the case, we were designed to belong in community. Each of us created out of love, for love, to be loved. What we may not realize is that our ability to grow is intimately connected with our security as a valuable member of a loving community. This originates from our Creator as we are made in the image of God, our image. It was this point which caught my attention last Sunday. In taking a close look at Romans 12:1-5 we received God's truth and it chall...
Post a Comment
Read more

Where does my help come from?

I have to stop to think about that. This past Sunday, Lumumba proclaimed Psalm 121 in the midst of a world in pain and a population trying to process all that has happened. On top of a pandemic, demonstrations of all kinds have erupted all over the world as the evil of racism overtook our collective focus. Where does my help come from? The psalmist admitted he had to lift his eyes to receive the answer. I can look in the mirror to review my own behavior and thoughts but for the people of God, there is no real hope without the involvement of Jesus. He is not only the author of our faith, He is the maker of Heaven and Earth! He has a depth of understanding as to what is wrong in this world that makes my attempt at contemplation seem like a newborn trying to fathom the complexity of the universe.  I keep hearing people preach about the importance of looking "deep within ourselves" and "tap into your basic human morality" but that is not what the Bible w...
Post a Comment
Read more