Cracked Pots

“But now, O Lord, you are our Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter, we are all the work of your hand.” ~ Is. 64:8

I just have to brag on Father for a bit. He sent me a love note this morning. Wrapped in a jar of clay, there it was. A note just for me to find.

I started my Saturday just like most Saturdays. Coffee in my white porcelain mug and slippers on my feet. Morning sunlight streaming in through the window as I sit on the couch. Just letting the minutes  s l o w l y  pass by. I’ve been thinking about cracked pots lately.

 

My Bible is laying open to 2 Cor. 4:7~ “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

It doesn't take much to see the cracks and flaws in me. My “shortcomings”. Everything I see in me that I would like to live without. The parts that remind me that I’m fragile. Unwanted exposure of frailty.

Maybe that’s why I delight and find such comfort in this verse. Jars of clay. They have a purpose. We have purpose. What’s so special about a simple vessel?

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” ~ 2 Cor. 4:6

   

To hold hope. To carry the light and glory of God, our potter. “To show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”, the cracked pots. There’s the purpose. Once I heard a speaker refer to “jars of clay” as cracked pots and it just stuck with me.

  

It’s never been about you and me anyway. “We are all the work of your (God’s) hand.” We are the clay.

Along the way in our life journey, whatever sin has caused our “cracks”, whether it was when we chose our will instead of God’s will, placed other “gods” above the one true God or just sought out our own selfish gain, our Father still calls us His own. We are His. And He uses us to bring Him glory. Flaws and all. He in us. The hope of glory. Our cracks of shame become cracks of beauty. Wanted exposure of glory. The light and glory of the One in us can now shine through us. To show that the surpassing power we carry belongs to God! How amazing is that. Grace.

So back to my Saturday: I decided to take a quick trip to my favorite thrift store. Now that I live so close I’ve really had to limit my visits per month. :) I had a couple items in mind that I was looking out for, but I always prefer being surprised with random finds. That’s just how I like it. God leaves me little love notes showing that He cares about me…down to the smallest of details and things that bring me joy.

With an already half full basket, I came across this little white jar on a middle shelf. I just loved how small it was and that it was white. I noticed a piece of paper rolled up inside, but it was taped so I laid it in my basket, for later discovery.

As I peeled back the tape at home and unfolded the paper, I sat at my table just amazed. Amazed at how God unfolds more of His love to me every day. How he wraps His great love around me and my “cracked” self.

 

The piece of paper inside the jar was worth more than the 50 cents I paid for the jar. Can we even compare God’s expressions of love for us to anything? It is truly astounding.

Father can use anything to get us to see that His love for us is real. It’s tangible.

It was no coincidence that my meditations of the morning connected with further truths in an afternoon thrift store find. It was God. He orchestrates everything. 

And when we see His power in us, changing us and molding us, suddenly our cracks don’t seem so bad after all. Actually they seem necessary. They show off what’s inside. Our hope. Our light. Our strength. God in all His glory. Nothing coming from us. All from Him.

From one cracked pot to another- be broken, surrendered and poured out for Him. That’s when we’re completely satisfied. Only then will His power SHINE.

Peace like a river

This is what the Lord says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.
If only you had paid attention to my commands,
your peace would have been like a river,
your well-being like the waves of the sea.

~Is. 48:17-18

A month ago, my brother and I went canoeing on the Auglaize River. I’d never been canoeing before and kind of had the itch to go all summer. Although we thought the river was going to be really low due to the lack of rain, we set off for an adventure. :)

What a great couple hours we had. Paddling downstream, we made our way through the twists and turns. If you ask both of us, we’d probably tell you one of our favorite parts was seeing a shallow spot ahead and knowing there was no way to avoid it. We’d chuckle a little as the bottom of our little voyager skidded along the pebbles. We’d stick our oars into ground and nudge ourselves forward or backwards until we were loose.

A fresh way of travel. Being carried along at the speed of the river’s current…and some help from Mr. Muscles. ;)

God carries us along through the twists and turns of life. Only He knows what’s coming around the bend of our journey. When we allow Him to hold us on the journey, there’s nothing to fear. When we want to take our “tomorrows” and circumstances into our own hands, we’re fighting against the current. A way not intended for abundant life.

My brother and I had never traveled that river before. We didn’t know what to expect besides what our guide told us before we left. “Keep going until you pass under five bridges. That’s when you’ll get out. Enjoy!” With that, we lowered our canoe into the water and said goodbye to the shore.

In Christ, we’re not promised an easy life. There will be valleys, struggles, temptations, disappointments, heartaches and pain. It’s easy to look at these situations as things that slow us down on our journey. Situations that hinder us from moving forward. Life will also be filled with moments of victory, mountain-top thrills, joy, and hope. In everything there is growth. In everything we can have PEACE. Taking us from where we were to someplace new. All the while, molding, shaping and growing us on the inside.

Peace.

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” ~vs. 17

God is PEACE. He is our guide for life. He alone deserves that role. He is trustworthy and knows what is best for us. He directs us out of complete love.

And when we feel stuck, He is right there to show us a way out. When we’ve gone our own way, He is right there, patiently waiting for our “yes” to Him. He will pick us up and carry us in His arms of love.

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.” -Horatio G. Spafford

If peace is like a river it’s a powerful force. A river is not always gentle and calm. Life isn’t always gentle. But God’s peace carries us on. His peace doesn’t take away the unrelenting crazy currents, but is instead amidst the waves, twists and turns.

His peace. The peace that passes understanding. ~Phil. 4:7

Let that peace be your guard. Let Him be your guide on this journey called life.


“No one has ever seen this,
and no one has ever heard about it.
No one has ever imagined
what God has prepared for those who love him.” ~ 1 Cor. 2:9

Full

"I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit. I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love. And I pray that you and all God’s holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ’s love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is. Christ’s love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God." -Eph. 3:16-19

I came across this plaque a few weeks ago in my all time favorite store- Hobby Lobby! On the plaque were the words that went something along the lines… “The longer I live the more beautiful life gets.” It’s so true. With every new morning there is a NEW sunrise. Not a carbon copy. A new day, untouched by yesterday and a new memory for tomorrow. Grace that is more than enough for…right now. We have a choice to make. The choice to use fresh courage and walk the day out or to just get by. We can walk out the abundant life. The good life. Because God doesn’t hold out on us. Ever. He is for us. Always. He came so that we could have ABUNDANT life. Full and overflowing. Running over. It’s always available.

My heart is so full. This summer has been a whirlwind of goodness! God, in His great mercy and love, has completely overwhelmed me. I smile and I’m in awe because I know I haven’t done one thing to deserve it. This abundant life. “My cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”- Ps. 23:5
 
June 28th was a gorgeous day for my sister and now brother-in-law’s wedding day. Celebrating those two joining their life together was memorable for every heart there. Pure. That’s a word that comes to mind to describe the day in it’s entirety. God has so much in store for these two lovebirds and I get to watch their story continue to unfold.



Photo courtesy of Jenna Beougher

July 2nd was a day that marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life story. I got to stay the first night in my very own home! God seriously gives the best gifts! There have been so many moments where I’ve caught myself smiling just because I’m completely delighted in what He’s given me. All I can say is “thank you”. My Father knows me better than I know myself. Every little blessing and detail that makes my heart smile is just another “love note” that the Lord has given me. His pursuit for me is unwavering. From start to finish, this new adventure of buying my first home was grace. Nothing I planned or could’ve figured out was better than His plan for me.
 
Hands held open. Palms facing up. Arms outstretched.
The Lord is free to give and take away. For His glory.
Life abandoned. Heart surrendered. Life abundant.

FULL.

That is the Lord’s desire for His children.
He wants to fill. Consume completely. Nothing left unchanged. Nothing left untouched. Every part of us belongs to the Lord. Only He can empty us of ourselves so we can be filled with Him.

FULL.



     
This summer, I’ve also been reminded again that I have some of the best family and friends a girl could have. My heart is filled with love for the people in my life who stick by me in the good and hard times. I’m influenced and touched deeply by their desire to build me up. I thank God for every person that has crossed my path because each one has taught me how to live. I thank God that His image is everywhere. Every person walking around on this planet is a living breathing testimony of God. Made in His image. His signature upon them.

FULL.

Our Father gives us more than we need. Daily overflowing gifts. We cannot count them all. When we're filled completely with Him, everything else is an overflow of blessing. He satisfies.

Full life. I’m lovin it! :)

“I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me.” – Ps. 13:6


"Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blessed;
Watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

This is my story, this is my song.
Praising my Savior all the day long. "  -Blessed Assurance


May your heart be encouraged! I pray that you would see the FULLNESS of God’s love for you today and everyday of your life!

 

Better Together

Hello friends! Whew, it’s been awhile. Life has been moving fast and it’s been hard to squeeze in time-outs! But God hasn’t changed. He has been faithful through and through. It’s only by His grace I got through the busy last months of my first year as a Preschool teacher. What an adventure! I will have to catch up on April and May happenings, but RIGHT NOW I want to highlight an adventure that’s unfolding for two people I love dearly.

My sister, Rebecca, and my soon-to-be brother, Brandon, will be saying their “I do’s” in exactly 21 days! As we spent most of today moving their belongings into their apartment in Dayton, their marriage is becoming ever more a reality. What’s a girl to do? Dwell on how much I’m going to miss day-to-day living with my sister who also happens to be one of my best friends? Reminisce on all our best (and ugliest) memories? Soak up the remaining crazy days of last minute preparations for the wedding? Imagine what life and marriage will be like for these two lovebirds? I just don’t know.

Just a little sneak peak into their home-to-be

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I’m so glad we know the One who holds the future. We can trust in Him alone. He keeps us sane when our thoughts are out of control. He is our anchor.

I love that the Lord created Rebecca and Brandon just the way He did. I’m glad He allowed them to walk into each other’s life for such a time as this. As Brandon and Rebecca enter into this covenant relationship before God and man, I’m glad they aren’t trying to please the world. They are standing up for commitment and devotion to each other and the Lord only- something that is rare and unheard of these days. They will walk out their days serving and loving each other. They can do this not because they are perfect and have come from a fairytale, but rather they are imperfectly CHOOSING to commit to each other, whatever may come. No other option. In the beautiful and ugly moments. “We love because He first loved us.” ~1 John 4:19 Brandon and Rebecca CAN choose this type of marriage because of God’s work in them as individuals and as a couple. What beautiful grace. His love is amazing!

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Blue sky proposal in Chicago- August 2013

Brandon's graduation from Cedarville- May 2014

I’m so thrilled for this ride Brandon and Rebecca are on together. They get to do life side by side. Like Rebecca likes to say “Better Together”.

Enjoy the ride! I love you both!

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Joyful Joyful

"Joyful joyful we adore thee

God of glory

Lord of love

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee

Opening to the sun above"

What I love most about Spring is fresh flowers!! My Mom, Aunt, Grandma and I welcomed the beginning of May by spending time on a Saturday morning at Countryside Greenhouse. Lovely morning.

These were one of my favorites from the day.