V is for . . .

Vessel

I have a poem that I wrote decades ago, during a time when I actively tried to have my poems published. (Sold one! For the back of a bulletin, and I got a check for $10!) In those days, I wanted so badly to write, but
couldn't envision actually finishing a full book. So I created card blurbs and sent them off to greeting card companies. When I finally sold the one poem, I stopped. Not because I sold one, though that coulda done it for me. I started teaching full-time and I'm the sort of person who goes 100% into the careers that I pursue.

So during that time, I wrote a poem I titled "Vessels." I can't read it, even now, without getting teary-eyed and feeling such gratitude for the Father. And I really want to post it. But I've never tried to have it published so I don't know the rules about shopping things that have been "published" on a blog.

So instead, I'll share the gist; the depth of what moves me about this poem. It has it's roots in Romans 9:21. "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"


As I meditated on the verse, I started thinking about the types of vessels I have around my house.

• I have a plastic mug with a colored paper band around it that was a gift from one of my girls for a Christmas several years ago. I never use it, but can't seem to part with it. 
• There's a beautiful white glass vahhhhhze in my china cabinet. Could not even guess where it came from, but it's gorgeous. 
• Oh and I LOVE my cereal bowl. It's not long for this world because it's cracked, but it's deep enough to get a REAL serving of cereal and carry it to my office without worrying about spillage.
• And my dog has a huge faux terra cotta flower pot that we used to fill with water for him. He took to chewing on it over the summer so it doesn't hold water anymore, but it amuses him.

I'm sure I can think of some others: a pen holder from the musical OKLAHOMA that I was in, a pewter challis that used to be used as a prop for all of the Christmas and Easter musicals that our church used to produce, a small silver heart-shaped jewelry box that I got my senior year in high school.

All of these vessels have a purpose. Some of them just sit around and look pretty (or gather dust and need polishing). Others are totally necessary, used all the time. And then there are some that have been almost used up and their original purpose is no longer possible. Even they have usefulness. (Without my dog's chew toy, my sweet hubby's hoses would be in great danger!)

We're vessels, too. Young or old, sick or healthy, wealthy or not, we have a job to do - a place in God's plan. That is so encouraging to me! My Father loves me so much that He not only has a place for me, He's given me all the talents and education, money and time to fulfill His purpose. Wow.

What are some of the ways you've been a vessel this week?