Interesting weather around here lately, huh? One week, there's snow, and the next week, it's 80 degrees. Our summer clothes are half in and half out of the attic. It's hard to know how to dress each day. I think it's safe to say that we've seen the last of the snow....I hope.
The other day, our munchkins headed outdoors to enjoy what appears to be, the last remnants of winter.
"Let's make a snowman!" one of them shouted. Annie grabbed a small snowball and began to roll it through the heavy snow. It was a warm day outside and the snow had begun to melt, creating the perfect snowy combination for our frosty friend.
Matt began the work for the middle section. He rolled that little snowball around the yard, packed it down, rolled and rolled some more.
When it came time to lift the snowman's belly, and put it into place, it wouldn't budge. He could not lift it alone. One by one, each sibling came over to help him....
"Ok everybody," Matt yelled, "On three!.....One....two...three!" They grunted and groaned. Together, they maneuvered that big ole belly into place.
Matthew grabbed a shovel, and began chipping away at all the parts that didn't seem to fit. Emma sculpted the other side.
Slowly, a snowman began to take form.
Isaiah 64:8
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.
When God, our perfect designer, sees things in my life that doesn't fit, He will do the same. Sin needs to go in order for me to take the form of Him. Jesus was completely sinless. As imperfect humans, how can I take the form of Him?
John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."
The formula - MORE of HIM, less of me. Isn't that the formula to change anything in our lives? Want to lose weight? More moving, less eating. Want more money? More working (or managing), less spending. Want more time? More managing, less idleness. Want to change your life for God? More of Him, less of you. Let Him do His work, chipping away at the selfishness, anger, pride, impatience, gossip and all those time wasters that draw us away from Him.
Only by His strength can I be molded into a patient, loving, humble, peaceful mamma. I want more of "Mary sitting at His feet" and less of "Martha's senseless running around."(Luke 10:38-42)
Only by His strength can I be molded into a patient, loving, humble, peaceful mamma. I want more of "Mary sitting at His feet" and less of "Martha's senseless running around."(Luke 10:38-42)
I don't want to stand around with a plastered smile on my face, frozen into place. Our Creator didn't just make us and leave us. He continues to lovingly chip away and sculpt each one of us into His useful vessel.
I love this...................
The Master's Vessel
Author Unknown
The Master was searching for a vessel to use; On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose? "Take me", cried the gold one, "I'm shiny and bright, I'm of great value and I do things just right. My beauty and luster will outshine the rest And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!"
The Master passed on with no word at all; He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall; "I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your drink, and I'll be at Your table whenever You dine, My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true, And my silver will always compliment You."
Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass, It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass. "Here! Here!" cried the vessel, "I know I will do, Place me on Your table for all men to view."
"Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear, "My transparency shows my contents so dear, Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride, And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide."
The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished and carved, it solidly stood. "You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said, "But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for Bread!"
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay. Empty and broken it helplessly lay. No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose, To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
"Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find, I will mend and use it and make it all Mine." "I need not the vessel with pride of its self; Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf; Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud; Nor one who displays his contents so proud; Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right; But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might."
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay. Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day. Spoke to it kindly. "There's work you must do, Just pour out to others as I pour into you."
