We are all earthenware cups

Good Day, God!

I made this clay cup years ago . . . I intended it to be a Tree/Cup . . . but clay shrinks during firing and so the trunk is a bit small for my hand.  Still, it is my creation and I love it.  I did notice that the next day a young man was making his own clay tree cup. His was a lovely detailed cup with leaves etc.  More artistic than mine, still, I was pleased.

But, I didn’t mean to go on about “beloved creations,” although now that I think about it I truly believe / hope that You feel that way toward us!

During Centering Prayer time, I sometimes will be flooded with an incident from the Past and at this point in Time I can see so clearly what I ought to have done/said . . . or not done or said. It is at those moments that I find it a vast comfort to view myself as a Clay Cup.

When I was attacked by a young (15 years old) burglar in our home — and survived — I was incredibly grateful. THRILLED, actually, to find myself ALIVE. But, it was almost easy to pray for him because he, too, was just a clay cup.  As it turned out he was angry at his father and Anger and Evil do plot together to do violence.

Of course, the detective on the case reminded me that I should pray for the burglar to be caught!  Being a Clay Cup does not mean we are not responsible for what we allow in it or to stay in it.

I think of Saint Paul telling us to be angry but not to let the sun go down on our anger lest we give the devil a foothold.  Ah, God, if only we could picture ourselves putting our clay cup in with the dishes every night!  How much more joy we could receive!