The Potter and the Cly

Play-Doh and Crayola crayons. I admit I still enjoy these particular remnants of my childhood artistic endeavours. They did get put aside once I discovered the joy of the written word, but there are few things as tempting to me...and even when I had no small children about I had a big box of Crayolas stashed away. I have fond memories of my grandmother making homemade play dough for us, and of the pleasure of creating endless things with it at the kitchen table. Is there anyone who doesn't smile with pleasure when handed a new box of crayons or a soft ball of play dough? Oh, they may hold back, and be reserved at first. Give them a moment...it'll come back.


Some days are just lacking in inspiration....some days the ball of play dough is just that, a mass of clay. Other days it becomes a variety of things, changing shape almost on its own in my hands. I'm so glad God isn't like that with us. Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. reads Isaiah 64:8, daily He reshapes us, perfects us. He has a purpose in mind for us and He shapes us to that end, unlike play dough in my kitchen we are not mere playthings, shaped and moulded only for amusement.
I like the story in Jeremiah, although it is about judgement and disappointment in the potter, where God send Jeremiah to observe a potter (Jeremiah 18:1-10) The potter is at his work, shaping a vessel, but seeing it is flawed and will break when it is fired the potter undoes his work and begins again. Being moulded and shaped is not easy, but in the hands of the Master we become ready to withstand the furnace, and become strong and useful.

That said, if you're feeling stressed or uninspired today, go, find yourself a box of crayons (treat yourself to a big box that you don't need to share!) or a canister of play-doh (make some, the stress relief is doubled in the kneading ) and play a little. Feel the joy of the Creator as you create. Trust me in this. I was feeling quite lost as to what to write today, and I needed to write, to keep a promise to myself, when my daughter handed me a small ball of silly putty. It was enough. Let yourself play.