Jeremiah 18:1-6

Eternal One: 
Go down to the potter’s shop in the city, and wait for My word. 

So I went down to the potter’s shop and found him making something on his wheel.  And as I watched, the clay vessel in his hands became flawed and unusable. So the potter started again with the same clay.  He crushed and squeezed and shaped it into another vessel that was to his liking.  In that moment, I heard again God’s word for His rebellious people.
Eternal One: 
O people of Israel, can I not do the same to you as this potter has done? You are like clay in My hands—I will mold you as I see fit.

I need to remember this. Some times that's easier than others.

Whether it's watching a girl's face light up in a brilliant smile,
or the feeling of trust when she calls my name and runs into my arms. 
When she tells me the part of her story where God is teaching her and loving her and she's growing and learning and excited about it,
When she stands up for what is right because she loves Jesus and I actually get to see it,
When I hear of her thriving in every way back home with her family,
When my whole day is filled start to finish with the most rewarding work I could ever ask to do and overflowing with meaningful, encouraging conversations, and I'm not even tired by the end of it because it was all just that lovely…

"God, I don't deserve this! It's too good." 

"It's not about deserving it. I love you! You are like clay in my hands—Watch me do even more!"

But when I catch the cold, far-off look of a girl used to pain,
or when I learn about the painful part of a little friend's past and I can see how much it hurts her,
When I have to watch her struggle against old patterns that still hold her captive,
When I can see the battle taking place between despair and hope and I don't know which will win,
When I'm too far away from family and hard things are happening to those I've loved the longest,
When I have physical pain that won't let me take a minute off and I can't even think,
When someone I love decides to "self-destruct" and refuses help,
When the judge makes a tragic ruling that will change my friend's life forever,
When I can't hug my grandpa goodbye because it's already too late,
When I hold a sobbing, heartbroken child, 

"God, did someone do something to deserve this? It hurts." 

"It's not about deserving it. I love you. I am with you! Let me carry you."

In all of these things, I want my heart to be always in awe of God's great, powerful goodness and never-ending love, in all it's justice and holiness, and I want my prayer to be, "mold me as you see fit." 

Use me, use this, use your Church to display your glory. Amen.