Thoughts on Thursdays

Let life's experiences draw you closer together.

When shaping a vessel, potters exert equal pressure with their hands on both the outside and the inside of the clay to prevent it from collapsing. After the clay dries, it is glazed and placed in a fiery kiln. The intense heat perfects the clay by removing blemishes, strengthening it, and enhancing the paint colors. The once wet piece of clay is finally transformed into a beautiful and useful piece of pottery.

Marriage can be viewed as a similar work in progress. Like the clay, you and your spouse will constantly face various pressures from life-job changes, financial stress, parenting responsibilities, and the list goes on. To prevent your marriage from collapsing, you must respond to any external pressure with the internal pressure of a powerful relationship with the living God. Just as clay is fired in a kiln, so will your marriage go through periods of intense heat. Remember that God is using these times to remove imperfections in your relationship and make it stronger and more beautiful. Face the difficult times together, and let Him mold and perfect your marriage, lifting you to higher levels of intimacy with each other. From the book Married for Life.

O Lord you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8