~ Unfinished Pots ~

[Lani]

Psalm 139:13-18
13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.


O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NIV)




Most of the Native American pots that sit on my self I purchased because I see them as works of art. But my most valued pot is an unfinished one. It was given to me by my hopi friend, Marilyn, three years ago. She gathered natural clay herself from the mesa near her home, worked the clay, and formed the vessel.

In the week I was there we had become close friends, and the morning I left she hugged me, not knowing if we would ever see each other again. She put the small pot into my hands and tearfully whispered, “I didn’t get the chance to finished this, but I want you to have it.” I value this pot the most because of my relationship with the one who lovingly created it.

As I get older, I sometimes look in the mirror and feel like an unfinished pot. At first glance I notice only the fading hair and additional wrinkles. I question my value. Nothing can stop the aging process, but we can turn from the world’s definition of beauty and focus on what the Bible says makes us truly valuable. The Bible tells us that God is the potter and we are the clay (Isa. 64:8). As with my unfinished pot, our true value is in the one who created us. Our Potter not only formed us at our birth but continues with loving hands to mold us into a new creation each day.



Prayer: Dear God, thank you for fashioning us in love. Amen

Prayer Focus of Day: Those who feel worthless

Story shared by: JA Maish (MA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 9/18/11