“The Potter’s Wheel,” read by Marcia N. Lynch.
The Potter’s Wheel
by Marcia N. Lynch
Three lumps of clay lined up
Beside the Potter’s wheel,
Ready to be formed
Into vessels of His will.
“I will be an oil flask!”
The eager first lump said.
“I’ll be made to soothe
Some dusty traveler’s head.”
“I want to be a water jug!”
The second clay lump cried.
“I’ll carry needed water
To drink and satisfy.”
The third clay lump was quiet.
The others asked her why,
“Don’t you have ambitions
And dreams about your life?”
“I’ll leave it to the Potter,”
The humble clay lump cried.
“I’ll let Him choose my shape,
And trust Him to decide.
I know it may feel strange
While spinning on His wheel,
But His hands will form me
No matter how I feel.”
The first lump then was taken
Into the Potter’s hands.
But she told the Potter
What were her demands.
“I’d like to have some handles,
A neck that’s tall and sweet.”
The Potter made a basin
For washing dirty feet.
He chose the second lump
Who told Him all his wishes
To be a water jug —
The Potter formed some dishes.
Then came the humble lump.
The Potter looked and smiled.
“What a lovely lump!
As trusting as a child.
I’ll make of you an oil lamp
So in the dark you’ll shine
To guide the lost and lonely
With an inner light divine.”
The little lump was happy
To be in the Potter’s hands,
And tried not to resist
Whatever He had planned.
It’s true that she got dizzy
But learned at last to rest
Secure in loving hands
Content that He knew best.
About the Poet
Marcia N. Lynch’s experience as a storyteller comes from working as a children’s film editor and from having been written into the story of Christ’s redemption. She studied sculpture at Mount Holyoke College. Sculpting, like film editing, requires an artist to cut out anything that does not relate to the primary subject matter, and these two disciplines have honed her storytelling skills. Marcia lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband of 38 years and has three grown children. She surrendered to Christ in 1975.
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Image: “The Potter’s Wheel” by Marcia N. Lynch. Image courtesy of the artist. All rights reserved.
