We were greeted warmly at the door.

My friend, a potter by trade, had opened her studio up and was excited to teach a handful of folks – myself included – how to make a mug.

We all exchanged introductions and quickly donned our aprons to begin.

After getting started, it became abundantly apparent to me that this was not as easy as my friend made it look.

My novice hands were nowhere near as seasoned as hers.

As she patiently and gently shaped the rim of her mug, I was struggling to make mine form the shape of a basic circle.

I eventually asked her why we couldn’t just pinch or squeeze the rim into shape. It seemed like it would be quicker.

She smiled kindly and began to explain, “Clay doesn’t respond well to pressure or force. It requires a continuous, gentle molding to shape it into what you want it to become.”

And that’s the moment when the Holy Spirit whispered to me, “Just like God does with you.”

Isaiah 64:8 says, “Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hands.” (CSB)

As Christ-followers, we are likened to clay that God is continuously molding and shaping.

If you’re anything like me, though, you’ve probably anticipated this shaping process to include severity, harshness, and pressure.

So many times, I’ve braced myself for His molding of me to include squashing, smashing, squeezing, or pinching.

Yet, this is not at all in line with the character of our beloved Father, the Master Potter.

He is patient and kind as He gently molds us into the shape He intends for us to take.

There’s no unkindness in His shaping; no harshness as He goes over places in our lives that need repetition.

He doesn’t grow weary, get angry, or walk away when we have spots that require a little more work.

His hands continuously work in our lives to smooth out the jagged edges, soften down the wayward tendencies, and help us to become beautiful vessels He can use for His glory.

We are His workmanship and, “I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in (us) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6 ESV)

Until next time, Grace and Glory!