By Pat
In my china cabinet is a little pottery item made for me by my daughter many years ago when she was a child. It consists of misshapen cords of varying lengths and widths, all coiled together into a little round trinket box, complete with a lid perched precariously on the top. Separately, these pieces amount to little except a seemingly jumbled mess, but together it is solid and strong. It has withstood several moves and endured many bumps, but yet it as sturdy as it can be. It sits proudly in the china closet holding...nothing. It is empty. I have no need to place anything in it, although if needed, I certainly could. But I like it just the way it is.
When my daughter gave it to me, she thought it was just beautiful. She knew exactly what it was and she worked hard to make it. The flaws were invisible to her...all she saw was that the pieces all somehow fit together and it was ready for me to use. She saw it exactly as it was meant to be. She was very proud of her handiwork! And, as a mother, I loved it.
In some ways, this little trinket box reminds me of me. I, too, am made up of a variety of things that make me who and what I am. I, too, at times am a jumbled up mess. I have strong points, weak points, broken parts, scars and battle wounds. Although to the world (and to me) I may not seem to be perfect and beautiful, God sees me differently. He made me, and to Him I am a work of art. To Him, we are ALL works of art. The pieces that comprise us may not be perfect, but somehow they fit together exactly the way God meant them to.
Like little empty pottery vessels, we must remember that no matter what we look like, or how we appear to the world, we have to trust that God knew just what He was doing when He put each of us together, and as long as we remain empty each morning, God can use us and fill us with exactly what He wants us to hold. He keeps us right there in His china closet and fills each of us as He sees fit. So be ready! Let God fill you up!
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." (Psalm 139:14)
Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.