Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Craft (as in handcraft) (02/08/07)
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TITLE: Pitchers and Paperweights | Previous Challenge Entry
By andy hartfield
02/08/07 -
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I remember the first day of class. Our art teacher walked around the room cutting off chunks of clay and dropping them on our desks. The cold, hard clay hit the desk with a resounding thud. My small hands could hardly bend the clay at first. But after a few minutes of massaging the lump it began to soften a bit. I spent the whole first day just squishing the clay between my fingers.
Finally the day came when we took our creations home. I could hardly wipe the silly smile off of my face when I handed the sculpture to my mom. In typical mom fashion she took the gift and acted as if I had given her a very valuable piece of art. She placed it in the most prominent place in the kitchen (right next to the coffee maker).
It has been nearly twenty years since sixth grade art class. This Christmas my family got to fly home to visit Mom and Dad. As I walked into the kitchen and glanced at the counter I noticed it. My mom has gone through several coffee makers, but the ugliest paperweight in all creation is still sitting on the kitchen counter. I wish you could see it. It is a three inch sculpture of a yellow head with a red Mohawk. A mother’s pride knows no end!
Clay always reminds me of The Great Sculptor. Our Father in heaven took great care when He crafted us. He made no mistakes, regardless of how we feel when we look in the mirror.
When God made us it wasn’t His goal to have us sit on a shelf. He had much more in mind. We were created as tools to be used in His hands. We are pitchers carrying living water to a thirsty world. Or at least we should be. All too often I find myself longing to be on a shelf.
Sometimes my desire springs from weariness. I just want a break! Other times it comes from sinful pride. I want to be looked at. I want to be admired. Whatever the reason, I don’t belong on the shelf! My next door neighbor needs water and I just happen to have a pitcher full of it!
Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
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