GRACE

I was so blessed when a beautiful friend of mine sold me her kiln. I loved the fact that it came from someone who loved ceramics as much as I did. Just recently, I opened the kiln and thought to myself "It is truly by the GRACE of God, that I can open it up and see beautiful pieces that have not been destroyed but have been Refined by the Fire".

Each firing is a trial. Each piece goes through extreme heat and pressure, leaving so much room for error. I never know what results will come from a firing until it is finished. Suddenly it dawned on me why I love the process so much, I am reminded of how often the term "Refined by the Fire" is used in the Bible. I realized that every trial each of us goes through strengthens us and therefore changes us. By the grace of our loving God, there is beauty from the ashes. Like each piece of pottery that is removed from the kiln, we are stronger after we have been tested, we shine brighter through hope and faith, and by God's incredible grace we are "Refined by the Fire", changed people.

I have always heard there are some ceramic artists who have named their kilns and so I think it is only appropriate for me to name mine...Grace.

May God continue to bless you and keep you, may you feel his loving presence each and every day, and may you come to know that there are beautiful blessings in store for you, even amongst the trials. "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" - 2 Corinthians 12:9