Kiln Therapy - What I Have Learned While Firing Glass

1) Even when the heat presses in and the fire overwhelms, changes us...beauty can prevail.

2) At different points in my life, someone's tried to break me and put me back together into what THEY wanted me to be.  In God's strength, I've picked up the pieces and was made into something new.

3) The creation of color was never meant to divide but to compliment, inspire and make the world more vibrant.

4) When rough edges are mishandled, it can cut. Proceed with caution. Handle with care.

5) When glass melts down, it starts to reach out, looking for another piece of glass to attach to. I think people are like that. When we go through a melt down, we long for someone who will come alongside to help us feel whole again. Too often though, we're too far removed to notice, or we don't bother to connect. You're not going to be something to everyone but if we could all be something to ONE, what a world this could be...

6) My girl pointed out that it looks like there is a little person on the bottom left of this cross. She's been saying that for almost a week but I hadn't seen it till this morning, when I needed a reminder, "More of You and less of me."  It was especially fitting after my first full session with my care receiver yesterday:
Lord, this is YOUR ministry. I pray that I show up and leave myself at the door. Help me to put on the robes of Jesus upon entry. May I silence my mouth so it's Your words spoken, in Your time. Thank You for Your protection to preserve my heart. Thank You for protecting my care receiver from my missteps. Father, I trust Your purpose in our caring relationship and I thank You for Your trust in me. I pray that I care for her as l would have wanted someone to care for my dad. Thank You for the opportunity to honor him in this way and giving that heartache a purpose. In Jesus name, amen.