Pressure

What if I told you that the ugly, weak and useless are being transformed into amazing vibrant and strong?

When I was a kid my mom taught ceramics classes.  Our basement hosted shelves of paints, greenware, plaster moulds and a kiln.

Weekly, she welcomed women of all ages in to sip tea and create masterpieces.  (If you call a frog who holds your scrubber a masterpiece.)

The process started with pails of mud, poured into moulds and left for a time.  Once removed, the hollow piece was cleaned and layers of paint were gingerly applied according to the artist’s whimsy. Grey matte laden with tiny chunks of hidden colour longing to explode.

Ugly, fragile and useless, the hopeful projects were carefully placed in the kiln and fired at 2000 degrees.

The result, of course was hard, durable pottery. Able to withstand a pelting spray and scrubbing bristles.  Bright, smooth glaze, exquisite beauty to behold.

Not one of us appreciates intense pressure.

I recall a particularly difficult season that left me crumpled and sobbing on the green carpet of my bedroom floor.  Day after day, brought to my knees in my own weakness.

It was there, completely emptied, that I clung to God for every breath.  Good friends prayed for me, and prayed with me, wisely counselling me to grab onto Jesus.  And breathe.  One day, one hour, sometimes one minute at a time.

Life felt too heavy. I couldn’t clearly see a way out of the darkness as hopelessness settled into my bones.

Now, years later that fiery kiln in my life has cooled.  If I step back for a moment I can see that through that terrible intense trial, God has made me stronger.

There, on the green carpet, clutching Him for dear life, I breathed.  I clung to his words, his promises.  And He gave me HIS strength.

Listen, sister maybe you feel this suffocating intense pressure today.  Life seems hopeless.  The stress is too much.

Please know that your Heavenly Father is right beside you, leaning over you, longing to comfort you.  He’s ready for you to ask, to reach for Him.

And if you don’t find yourself in the kiln today, I bet one of your friends is feeling the heat.  Pray for her.  Encourage her.  Remind her of her hope for the future.

And thank God for the beautiful masterpiece He is creating.

❤ Tess