The Little Tea Cup's Message. . .

Have Thine Own Way, Lord  ~ arrangement by Ashaun Cotton
(Please click for background music as you read this message of H.I.M.)

As I was, recently, sifting through some of my collection of stories and quotes, I came across this lovely story.  The moral of its story reminded me how much I need to surrender my all to my Master each and everyday, regardless of the circumstances I may find myself in. Hence, when I sit and mediate on God's word, as I sip my cuppa of tea, I listen carefully to what the message of this little tea cup's story means to me ~  

There was a couple who took a trip to England to shop in a beautiful antique store to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially teacups. Spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the tea cup spoke, "You don't understand. I have not always been a teacup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me, pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, "Don't do that. I don't like it! Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said, "Not yet."

Then WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was made to suit himself and then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door. "Help! Get me out of here!" I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head from side to side, "Not yet."

When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good! "Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. "Oh, please, stop it, stop, I cried." He only shook his head and said, "Not yet."

Then suddenly he puts me back in to the oven. Only it was not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. I was convinced I would never make it. I was ready to give up. Just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering, "What's he going to do to me next?" An hour later he handed me a mirror and said, "Look at yourself." And I did. I said, "That's not me. That couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!" 

Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember. I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life. If I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you." (Author Unknown)

What lessons have I learned, living with Stage IV breast cancer, while feeling every emotion, frustration and fear like this little teacup, is this: 

• God knows what He's doing for each of us ~ we must TRUST HIM; 
• He is the Potter (He is My Master), and we are His clay ~ He has a Plan, and Purpose for my life ~ I am His;  
• Our Master will mould us, make us, and expose us to just enough pressures of just the right kinds, that we may be made into a beautiful, flawless piece of work to fulfill His plan, His plan purpose, and His perfect will in our lives;
• He is my Master and with Him I will fear not. I am in always His hands.

So, when life seems unbearable, while you are being pounded, patted and pushed almost beyond endurance; when your world seems to be crumbling around you; when you feel like you are in a fiery furnace of trials and tribulations; or when life seems "unfair", try this ~
Brew a cup of your favourite tea in your most beautiful teacup, sit down and meditate on this story and then, have a little chat with the Potter. Remember, "Have thine own way Lord, have thine own way.  You are the Potter and I am the clay.  Mould me and make me after that will, while I am waiting yielded and still." 
(Author of Hymn ~ Adelaide A. Pollard)

God's plans and my plans
How different they may be,
Yet, I trust in Him
As I walk with Him
For He'll never forsake me.

"For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.
Plans for good, and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope."
Jeremiah 29:11