The Wheel of Grace

By Walter Skold
2 Timothy 2:20-21

It’s risky business, pottery,
like Christmas when you open up the kiln, and
there it is, beyond belief, brilliant golds and turquoise
hues so glazed with flame
Poseidon himself would praise.

Oftentimes a piece of pottery breaks,
or is refashioned by its maker.

Oftentimes a beautiful piece will last for a time,
giving joy, shooting forth reflected light,
but then will the cracks begin.

Every piece of clay we love is marred by sin,
yet deep within— we may not see it — the loving Potter remains at work.

And our world?—
“Lord, it’s spinning out of control!
Slow down your wheel, turn down
the fires in your kiln! It’s too hot!”
And yet we trust the Potter knows his craft.

The potter, Richard, was your vessel, Lord.
He was a noble work of art, of noble purpose
in your house, shaping others even as
he himself was shaped by grace,
and O what grace that we have known him,
and grace as well to know that when a piece
is flung from off the Master’s wheel
it only falls into His Hands again
to be made new, and more beautiful
than we could ever imagine.

The potter, Richard, was your work of art, Lord.
He made and did his very best, but best
of all his gifts? He loved to give.
Of late we did not recognize him,
as he did not always know just who we were—
but there was Love! As there will be forever
when we ourselves are broken and in need,
and face that furnace of our last fiery test,
after which we’ll be brand new, re-fashioned
into that unbreakable clay your Hand will make us be.

We give back into the Potter’s hands
this clay we’ve loved, in whose image
clay was formed in praise unto God’s Name!
Beautiful clay, colorful, practical, dazzling pieces,
sparkling with light and imagination,
like frost on a window, always unique.

O, help us know the empty space upon our shelf
and in our hearts has taken his place
in the great eternal gallery of His Grace.