Seated on the wooden bench, I held the long metal pole with my left hand, rolling it back and forth, not too quickly, but not too slowly either. My instructor coached me as I simultaneously with my right hand, attempted to pull and twist and shape the clump of colored glass on the end of the pole, into what would be a long stem with a flower on the end. Several times my glass fell in a puddle on the floor, but he was patient as we went back to the oven to start all over. My friend watched, and we giggled at what my finished product was. Her turn would come next, and the giggling would continue.
In my china cabinet now stands a small vase I am quite proud of, as well as two long-stemmed flowers that to be honest, resemble more of a couple of Fallopian tubes. So often we laugh about that day and how much fun we had.
Today while Rory and Ian were out at school and work, I was dusting my china cabinet and was reminded when I saw my "art work" that we are the workmanship of our Creator. Not one of us turns out anything like the other. Each one of us is unique and special, and so are our gifts, talents, and callings.
But my thoughts didn't stop there! I thought about what a JOY being their parent is, watching them grow, watching their personalities develop from babies to toddlers, to teenagers, and now to young adults. But more now than ever, I am in awe as I watch how God is shaping both of them for the life ahead. And as I learn to trust Him more, it worries me less, and brings me more peace. I know that He loves them even more than I do!
I may have needed a coach to help me create my blown glass art, but the Potter does NOT need any instruction or advice. So I am learning, as I watch the kids grow up, to enjoy the process, watching God create what only He can do in Rory and Ian.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
As a young mom, I stared for hours at my babies sleeping, breathing, watching them smile and wondering what they were dreaming. I listened to their sweet breath and held them tight, and wondered, "What will they be when they grow up?" But now, as I watch them, I see God at work in their lives and I think to myself, "What in the WORLD is God up to with my young men??"
I may get disgusted sometimes as their Mom and want to quickly jump to point out the mistakes they are making, or inform them that they should re-think some of their decisions. It's me, kicking into Mama Bear "protection mode," as I like to call it. But tonight, I'm reminded that I need also to enjoy watching the Potter as he molds and shapes and creates. Both of my "flowers" turned out completely different, and He is doing a COMPLETELY different work in Rory and Ian. He is preparing BOTH of them for different paths, not just careers, but different gifts, different callings - those "good works" that He prepared for them to do long before I had ever even given birth to them.
What a blessing it is to sit back and watch the Potter at His wheel. My prayer tonight, is that just like my friend Joyce and I enjoyed watching each other as we created our own art work - that Rory and Ian both are able to take a step back and enjoy what the Potter is doing not just in their lives, but in each other's lives as well.
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