- Change pulls us in different directions. It can make us uncomfortable at times. But without it, there can’t be growth—physically or spritually.
Breath Exercise –
- Breathe from diaphragm and not the lungs
- Imagine an upside-down balloon
- Want to fill as full as possible
- Lift rib-cage slightly to allow more room
- Breathe in slowly through nose
- Gently fill your lungs
- Imagine taking in Holy Spirit
- Breathe out slowly through mouth
- Let shoulders drop down and fall gently back
- Un-hinge your jaw and let it relax
- Repeat breath
God the Potter
- Give each person piece of clay
- Feel it between your hands, squeeze it, squish it
- Make it into a shape or image, if desired (some chose to shape into a cross & made a keepsake–others returned the clay after the prayer experience)
Lower Lights
- Listen to following story:
Many years ago, a friend and I decided to take a pottery class together as a small escape from our stressful jobs. We walked into the Potter’s workshop and were amazed by all the beautiful pieces she had on display. Our teacher, who was a Master Potter, asked us, “What are you ladies interested in making?”
My friend pointed to a fantastic vase. It was about 20” high, 6” in diameter and had a beautifully sculpted shape—narrow at its base and wider through the mid-section, with a long, narrow neck. The Master Potter half-chuckled in reply, “Um…Dear, that is a really difficult piece to make. It will take you years to learn to do that.” My friend and I looked at each other, a little surprised and impressed. “Why don’t we start you on pieces like these?” the teacher said to us. She pointed to some small glazed bowls and candle holders.
We soon learned to knead the clay with the heel of our hands. We worked the air bubbles out of the clay and made it a uniform texture. Class after class we laughed at ourselves; our out-of-control pots, spinning on the wheels, would flop over & collapse.
At the end of the experience, we were left with about a dozen bowls each. Mine were thick and heavy on the bottom, thinner at the top and very odd looking. My friend, who was originally from Tennessee, asked me in her sweet Southern tone, “Lisa, what are you going to do with your uglies?” She was thinking of throwing away her oddest looking pieces. I kept all of them. I even gave away some of the nicer ones as gifts–a few made great candle votive holders.
I’d like you to close your eyes now and listen to God’s words to the prophet Jeremiah. You may be familiar with this passage, but I’d like you to feel that clay in your hands and just listen…
“The Lord said to me, “Go down to the potter’s house, where I will give you my message.” So I went there and saw the potter working at his wheel. Whenever a piece of pottery turned out imperfect, he would take the clay and make it into something else. Then the Lord said to me, “Don’t I have the right to do with you people of Israel what the potter did with the clay? You are in my hands just like the clay in the potter’s hands.”
Jeremiah 18:1-7 GNT
Feel that clay in your hands—feel the potential for positive change. God is still working on you…working with you. Remember the Master Potter from my story? She said to both me and my friend, “It will take you years to make a piece like that one.” Ask God to help you with the changes that you desire. Imagine God molding and fixing that clay with you. The pulling and the pushing of every day life, are all part of that change.
Play Song for Quiet Reflection – Suggestion “Make Something Beautiful” by Laura Story