Normally, here in the states...you don't ask the age of the woman. Well, that's what my husband told me...for some people, they get offended if you ask their age. Hhmmm...but at least I haven't encounter anyone get offended yet...so far as I could think of.
But for me, adding another year in our age is something someone should be proud of...I don't mean proud as p-r-o-u-d, but having a sense of being "accomplished". At the same time, we are humbled in this way too because as we age, we look back at our pasts and see what God had done in our lives and how we're able to make it (that is if we relied on Him).
Last night, I had a chat with one of our good friends here in Columbus and was encouraged with the challenges this couple had gone through. They are a lot younger than me, and Tim was just a little bit older than them (fyi, I'm 3 yrs. older than Tim). But despite of their pasts and being married at a young age, they are maturely walking for Christ. I know because I can see the fruit in their lives. I remember my time at their age...I don't want to go in details but whenever I look back at it...I know I've wasted a lot of times doing foolish things. Of course, I also don't think that I have arrived "somewhere" already. There's still a lot of things to do (for Him) and I'm continuously be a "work in progress".
I always remember what our pastor in the Philippines illustrate us as Christians. I know you probably have heard of it...being under the potter's hand. I know I was that clay jar, with crack & imperfections. I know I have to go through a lot of process to get rid of all those cracks.When Evan (our friend from Grace) brought me one time in the pottery room in Grace, I saw all the beautiful jars & vases the student have done and on the other rack, I saw the ones that are broken or didn't pass the standard. One of them, which Evan made won't make it to the kiln because the shape is not what he's after for. So, I asked him if I could do something with it...just messed up around it. He let me and I asked him if he could still put it in the kiln then glaze it and give it to me.
He did and when he brought it to us, despite of the odd shape...I like it! Very abstractly shaped...but for me it's pretty.
That's how HE (God) works in our life...like a potter. It's neat how Christ used this to illustrate the people being under Him, I am indeed as ugly as a clay but can only shine with the work of His Hands. Our life could sometimes feel like spinning in circle, but the question is...who is at the center of it? Would there be a mighty hand to hold us through if we fall?
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