Sunday, June 13, 2010

Mud Pies and Straw Castles


With hands stained orange from Georgia clay, I clasped rich soil.  The sweet ground most always was tough at first. But my sand bucket, shovel, old serving spoon, and outside spigot meant no problem. Adding water to a little well dug in the earth, I knelt and plunged heart and hands into the mix.

Dirty knees did not matter, much less little hands, bare feet, and nails all grimy due to digging and designing. I could not have cared less of summer heat then. Besides, I was shaded by dense wood that I thought reached the sky.

Taking curved fingers, I reached, scooped, held, turned, and shaped til the softened earth became round. I then flattened into little pies that made me proud and happy.

It was hard work for a young girl who found escape and childhood dreams in a backyard filled with great shade, climbing trees, pine straw, footpaths, and sounds of nature and neighbors near. It was deliverance from summer boredom. It was discovery. I felt I owned that yard of Georgia soil.

It was really my father's dirt, not mine. And yet, it did belong to me, for my dad always told me that what belonged to him and my mother was also mine.  And my delight in our land brought great joy to Daddy and Mama. They would watch from open windows and enjoy my imagination and their quiet.

My imagination never seemed to tire. When dusk settled in over Georgia sky, I heard my name and knew to leave my outdoor world and go to the spigot and wash. Later, a cast-iron tub, ivory soap, inside water, and prissy pajamas removed leftover play and welcomed my nights to paper dolls, books, and more pretend. Before I went to bed, Daddy would sometimes have to dig splinters from beneath my tender fingers that had used pine straw for imaginary walls in imaginary homes. I fell asleep with thoughts of old ground and new plans for the soil and make-believe world I so loved.

The soil never changed.  It was old ground that was always waiting on me. Even if I returned to it today and searched my childhood home, that old dirt would still be there. The earthy smell would remain as it did in the 1960's. I could probably find the same spigot, take a little water, get on hands and knees, and dig my childhood well and make mud pies and feel the red clay soften and conform to my desire.

And if I returned to my childhood yard and made mud pies again or built a straw house, I would most likely look around and ask the proverbial question, "Where did time go?"  At my new age of fifty-one, it is a question I ask often.  Wondering how years can fade so fast is the one not-so-soothing thought that, as my grandma used to say, reminds us most "things never stay the same." Things are always changing.

Now, at this point in my life, my questions of time are changing. Accepting the uncontrollable, my thoughts now veer from "Where has time gone?" to "What has time done?" "How has it changed me?" "What has experience done to my person, my walk with God, my relationships, my life?" "Am I a better person?" "Have I made my dirt conformable to the hands of my Digger-of-Wells?" "Is God really my Potter?"

"Do I let Him change my dirt to His desire?" "Who has designed my plans and my dreams?" "Are they His?" "Or am I still busy with my own mud pies and straw castles?"

It's a hard thing to leave your own life alone, to give all you have to Jesus. From an early age, we're used to making do and making up as we go along. We're taught the importance of potential. Of dreams. Of purpose. Of lending ear to self. Of living up to ideal best. Of setting sail to the world's winds. We are told by educators that we are the masters of our destinies.

For a Christian, the worldly philosophy of mastering one's own destiny brings conflict to the soul.  That conflict can even be war between the flesh and the spirit, as we strive against humanism and voices that plead for the salvation of personal choice over letting go and surrendering to God.  Perhaps the natural inner conflict of letting go of our own lives is one reason the Apostle Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13:11-12.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

As a child, Paul said he spent his time in childish things: his own imaginings, desires, designs, childlike behavior, talk, and dreams. But, when he became a man, a Spirit-filled, Christian man, Paul said he gave them all up for a greater cause. The greatest cause.

Paul did something that few of us accomplish as thoroughly as he did. He surrendered completely. He totally relinquished everything to Jesus Christ, the Savior, our Redeemer, our Rock, our Deliverer, the Lord of all. His life was absolutely centered in His Savior.  Paul's only cause and his reason for living was Jesus. Christ was the Apostle's motivation for planning, for dreaming, for loving, and for losing.

Holding nothing back, he solidly proclaimed, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21).

I like to envision this mighty warrior of God as he penned that bold truth about self death to the Philippians from his prison cell in Rome. As I try to grasp this great statesman of faith, I remember another proclamation of Paul's pen:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

What does it take for death of self? I believe there is much individuality in the answer. We all have our own particulars that God sees - those things that are spoken between Abba Father and us.  But, regardless of the details, dying to self so that we can live in Christ is a process of pain and denial, one that requires God-supplied grace.

As the heat of summer 2010 burns its way into my real, now world, I yearn for God-supplied grace. I need denial. I need surrender. I need death. I want to forget about my "straw castles" and "mud pies" and let my Potter and Master Carpenter take my hands, my feet, my eyes, my ears, my lips, my world and form and shape them for His glory.

His holy hands are never far away.  They are always reaching, touching the depths of our hearts and far corners of our souls. They find things we didn't know before. His hands crush, dig, and make a well in our souls that only He can fill.  He pours water, works, and shapes. And though it may not all seem pleasant now, God's handiwork promises a forever bright future. And, here is how we know that truth:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Let's live that promise today! Take it personally!  It is yours!  Though the Potter's hands may challenge the world's view of living, and though at times we may feel pain, his hands will never harm. His hands are always for our good, and we can and must rejoice in that fact!!!

Seeking death and life in Jesus,

23 comments:

  1. These scriptures quoted are among some of my favorites. Much food for thought! As I have aged, I've notice that my questions have changed as well, many of those you touched on.

    Lord, help me to be all you would have me to be is my prayer.

    Wonderful devotion Andrea,
    Blessings,

    Debra

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  2. 'It's a hard thing to leave your own life alone'- you speak truly! So many times do I give troubles to God, and then some time later return to Him and take them back to try and fix myself because He's not working as fast as I think He should be...how arrogant. This is the recurring lesson I am battling with, not faith or belief in miracles, but just letting GOD get on with HIS plans for me.

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  3. Beautifully written as always, Andrea...with an amazing message from the Lord for our journey through life...

    I would have loved to have played in our Georgia clay with you as a child...and pine straw castles were always my favorites....

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  4. What a great illustration you have done here - of seeking to build our own life, in contrast to letting go of our puny efforts and letting ourselves be the clay in the Master's hands.

    I always love visiting your place and connecting to your heart by reading your words.

    And like you, this is the very lesson that God has been teaching me these days - to die daily, to deny myself, take up my cross and be a Christ follower -- no matter what it takes.

    Thank you for confirming the things God is writing on my own heart. We are fellow travelers on the same road, but yes, there is a sense in which we walk the road alone.

    It is often a lonely battle, but that is how God designed it. It is for our benefit.

    Love you much, dear Andrea. Thank you again for this post.

    Love
    Lidj

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  5. Praise God Andrea for the Love and mercy of the Lord. This was an excellent post.

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  6. What a beautiful post, Andrea! I pondered each of your questions about time, thinking how like my own they are.

    "I yearn for God-supplied grace" ... is a yearning I recognize too. Just this morning I sat with the Lord and asked Him to show me (again), what it means to seek first His kingdom - - and this above my own. Grace yearnings come strongest when laying bare a soul.

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  7. Many heart responses rise up as I continued reading your post. The first was a giggle of experiencing as a parent the quiet in the house when the children are outside enjoying their play! I relish those chances and am praying for many happy outside play times while I am inside watching and savoring the peace this summer.

    Educators...even Christian ones pump up the individuality of every student and the futures they can make happen. But God wants our humble submission to His plan and His decision as to where we fit in it. I'm trying to instill that in my young ones as they are school aged and being "indoctrinated by lies."

    You said, "What does it take for death of self? I believe there is much individuality in the answer." I feel the individuality of my many little deaths to self very acutely these days. No one fully understands but I'm so glad our Savior does.

    I love how you ended this post with: "Though the Potter's hands may challenge the world's view of living, and though at times we may feel pain, his hands will never harm." I believe that with my whole heart...and when I'm tempted to doubt, to think His touch will harm me, He is there to provide some reminder. I just have to have the willing eyes to see it and embrace the truth.

    Loving your analogies and imagery...and relating wholeheartedly to your thoughts,
    Amy

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  8. Beautifully said. O how I need God supplied Grace daily! And I thank Him for the grace given me! In Him I put my hope, My God.
    Love
    Julie

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  9. This is beautiful, Andrea. I, too, was a great maker of mud pies--I used old frisbees, smashed them full of dirt and adorned them with acorns. So, I understand the feel of clay in my hands. But I also understand the feel of the potter's hands on my life, molding me. Sometimes it's uncomfortable, but the end result is oh so much better than what I was before.

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  10. Andrea:
    This was another wonderful post! I love the way you ended..."Though the Potter's hands may challenge the world's view of living, and though at times we may feel pain, his hands will never harm.:... I am so glad that He is completely trustworthy and my life is safe in His hands. I still struggle with keeping it there every moment, and I know He is teaching me as I go. The journey changes as I yield more. Thanks Andrea, your words always bless!!

    Hugs!

    Sonja

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  11. Wonderful post. As we get older we do tend to reflect on the past and find many goodies that we can apply spiritually. I am fairly new to your blog but love it. Only as we surrender things every day to the Lord and let Him be in control
    do we find the strength that we need. I have found His way is always best even if it may be painful.

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  12. This was so beautifully written. I loved your sweet detail as a child and felt I was right there with you. Good post!

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  13. Your writing always beautifully draws me in Andrea. What sweet memories you have. A new friend recently shared with me she had seen a field that the dirt looked like "chocolate cake crumbles". I stopped last week to take a picture of a field that reminded me of her description. Soil, the soil of my heart has been on my mind recently. I'm blessed and encouraged as I read what you wrote about destiny as the LORD seems to be encouraging me on in my earthly destiny. And total surrender to God - I needed that word today.

    Seeking death and life in Jesus too,
    Lora

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  14. Oh my! I thoroughly relate to this! Have always enjoyed the wonderful memories of playing outside as a young girl and then reliving that through my sons when they were small and now my nieces and nephew. And this dying to self and living to Christ is a most favorite theme to me in our faith. Right now the shape it is taking is a more keen direction for what my next steps are, and He will get me there, I am sure!

    Show me your ways O, Lord, Teach me Your paths!
    Maria

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  15. What a great message, wonderful allegory, and such great scripture, I loved it dear, I found you from my friend Aliene's blog and thought I would stop by and see you too, glad I did, wonderful post. God bless you real good, and lots of hugs and blessings Barbara from
    http://bakinnbitsbarbara.blogspot.com/

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  16. "His hands will never harm"..."always for our good."

    That eases my surrender. Thanks for the reminder, Andrea.

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  17. St. Paul is a wonderful example for all of us.

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  18. I feel so happy and blessed right now to have found your blog. I am adding your button to my blog!

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  19. Andrea,

    I knew that I would hear God's Word speaking to me when I visited your blog today! I am going through spiritual 'growing pains' and it is a difficult time as I want to trust God completely and let go but the childish, human side of me keeps me from moving forward in His will. Please pray for me as I grow in my faith and trust in God. I know He will provide and I know that He is faithful. Thank you for writing the words and encouragement that only God can give. You have comforted me with His Word. God Bless you!

    Blessings,

    Kim

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  20. Beautiful post, Andrea. Beautiful!

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  21. Andrea,

    You have done it again! You used the simple to explain the profound.

    I can see you making mudpies.

    "Do I let Him change my dirt to His desire?" "Who has designed my plans and my dreams?" "Are they His?" "Or am I still busy with my own mud pies and straw castles?"

    And my prayer is that He will change my dirt--all of me--to whatever His desire is for me.

    Thank you, sweet friend.

    Sweet dreams.

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  22. Have thine own way Lord
    Have thine own way
    Thou art the potter
    I am th e clay

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Thank you for visiting. I cherish your thoughts. You are special to me, but most of all, you are special to God, who loves you with everlasting love. May your life be swept into His joy and peace.

In the Wonderful Love of Christ our Savior,

Andrea