Thursday thoughts: In the Potter's hands

Last week was one of my granddaughters' birthdays. She asked for a "blob" kit, which I purchased. It is basically just what it says - a blob of clay to transform as you see fit.

It comes with clay, paint, and other decorative supplies to create and mold your blob into something beautiful. Needless to say, my granddaughter was so excited to start molding and decorating this blob. There have been several things she has learned from this process, and honestly, it reminded me of Jeremiah 18:6: "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand."

Here are some of the things I have noticed about the blob kit and also my life as God shapes and molds me.

First, shaping and molding is a work in progress. I watched my granddaughter, Liza, add some clay shapes to the blob and then reshape them because she was not happy with the outcome. It didn't become what she wanted in just a moment. In the same way, God is continually working and molding my character, thoughts, and emotions to reflect Him.

Thankfully, He can see what the end product will be and not just what or where I am today. God sees us all as a work in progress, and as long as we stay willing and open, He will continue to mold us into a masterpiece to serve Him.

Another thing I think Liza and I have learned is that the process requires patience. Liza has repainted her blob more than once. She has remolded the clay several times as well. Truthfully, we all have flaws, and I am very thankful that God doesn't give up on us because of that. God is patiently molding, reshaping, and perfecting our lives even when we mess up.

Liza has to patiently wait for the paint to dry on her blob. It's not easy for her. Waiting is not easy for us either. Sometimes when we think we are just waiting, God is working. Just because we don't "see" the purpose of the waiting, we must still trust the process.

The last thing I noticed is that the creator gives second chances. When Liza didn't like how her creation was turning out, she didn't throw it away; she just started over. When we mess up or fail, God does not disown or discard us. He will forgive us, redeem us, and allow us to start again. His mercy and grace permit us to be reshaped, forgiven, and have another chance. Our life continues to be molded by the Master.

As I think back on watching Liza creating with her blob kit, she used clay, paint, and her imagination. I am reminded of how God works in our lives. Just like the clay became something beautiful in Liza's hands, our lives become beautiful when we remain in the Potter's hands.

He sees the masterpiece before we do, patiently shaping us through every experience until we become what He created us to be. We may only see a blob of clay, but in God's hands we are a work in progress, molded by His patience, grace, and second chances. Isaiah 64:8: "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

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Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org.