Clay Pots

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

Producing art, whether for functional use, the sheer beauty of it or some combination of the two, takes effort and skill.  In my youth I used to tool leather.  I made belts, purses, bible covers, etc.  Some projects were from kits, others were on pre-cut pieces and the remainder were those that were started with a piece of tanned hide.  Obviously the latter required the most effort in that I had to decide what I was making, its intended purpose, its shape, and its dimensions.  From there the cutting had to be precise which was not easy with a utility knife.   Once cut, the leather had to be moistened to keep it pliable to that the stamping and carving could be done properly and evenly.  After being tooled it had to be died and finished.  Each piece was unique and an investment of time, effort, and creativity.  The process was a very faint imitation of how God has created each of us.

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Safe With God

“The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”  2 Timothy 4:18

This time last year, I had to take full responsibility for my father’s care.  While his need for my help had been increasing over the previous five years, a bout with the flu and failing faculties required me to be more involved on a daily basis.  With few exceptions, there was a daily trip to visit his assisted living apartment which is on the opposite side of town.  There are two routes: one through town with traffic and traffic signals, and one through the country.  With poorer road conditions, the latter can be a risky trip in bad weather. 

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