Buoyant Joy

Used with Permission by April White

http://redchairmoments.com/buoyant-joy/

 

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” 

(Hebrews 10:23)

Bass boats skim across the lake, a rooster tail of water rockets into the air. Spring yawns as petioles stretch open uncurling their true purpose. The leaves are on full display today narrowing my view of the main channel. In the center of my view, a “No Wake” buoy bobs as the bass boats disturb its quiet resting place.

This buoyant channel maker captivates my attention. It never sinks. Waves toss the buoy to and fro kissing the water,
always returning to its upright position.

“Joy is not mere happiness. Nor does joy spring from a life of ease, comfort, or peaceful circumstances. Joy is the soul’s buoyant response to a God of promise, presence, and power.”

–Susan Lenzkes

Buoy: noun/  a floating object anchored in water to mark something (as a channel)
Buoy: verb/ to mark by a buoy, to keep afloat, to raise the spirits of
Buoyancy: noun/ the power of a fluid to exert an upward force on a body placed in it, resilience of spirit.

Buoyant joy is a by-product of resilient faith.

It does not guarantee the absence of a storm; rather it guarantees the ability to bounce back.

A buoy is anchored in water with the purpose of marking the main channel. Our faith and joy are anchored to His living water.  We serve as channel markers, guiding those in the midst of the storm to stay on course, encouraging others as we bob along.

Even though thick fog impedes my future, I know the One to whom I’m anchored. Knowing I will bounce back because He is the God over the storm assures me “It is well with my soul.”

~April Dawn White
 

Photos courtesy of author and Pixabay

Repurposed Jars of Clay

Used with Permission by April White
http://redchairmoments.com

"I have become like broken pottery." (Psalm 31:12, NIV)

Recently I spoke with friend and writer, Patty Luellen Nichols. Knowing I am in a broken season, she shared this idea with me. I love craft projects.  But even if you aren't a craft person, you'll find this project therapeutic especially the smashing part.

Here's what you will need:

1. Clay pot
2. Permanent marker
3. Super glue
4. Hammer
5. Cookie sheet
6. Small candle
7. Safety glasses

What to do:

1. Before you begin, put on your safety glasses.
2. Begin by placing the pot on the cookie sheet (to contain the mess).
3. Using the hammer break the pot into several pieces, leaving the bottom in tack (very therapeutic!)
4. On the inside of each broken pottery shard, write a word that represents a broken area of your life (be honest).
5. Superglue the broken pieces back together (Don't worry about cracks or missing pieces).
6. Allow to dry.
7. Insert a candle and let the light shine through the brokenness.

The prophet Isaiah reminds us "We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand" (Isaiah 64:8, NIV). This concept of being in the potter's hands is of great comfort to me during a period of chronic illness and suffering.

There is a glitch in my genetic code causing my muscles to short-circuit. I've often joked about needing a fuse replaced. The truth is I am a marred pot. The same God who knit me together in my mother's womb (Psalm 139) has known about this quirk. Why is it showing up now? I do not know.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.

 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."(2 Corinthians 4:6, NIV)

God allows His light to shine through the broken areas of our life, displacing the darkness.

Paul's words possess rich implications for those in Christ. We are treasured jars of clay whose purpose is to display the light of Christ through our life. If our jars are perfectly intact a light placed inside the jar cannot be seen. If pretend our lives are perfect, no one can see God at work in us.

Ahh! But if our jars and our lives are marred, cracked, and broken, then the light of Christ can be on full display and shine though our brokenness for His glory!

The same hands that knit me together at conception are wrapped around me on the potter's wheel.

The potter is reshaping my heart and repurposing my life for His greater purpose.

Perhaps my glitch displayed at this time was His plan.

Even though I don't know how all this will turn out I am in the Potter's hands. Therefore, "It is well with my soul."