Molding, Shaping and Carrying

by Dr. Ann Pearson on March 22, 2021

^“Yet, LORD you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand”. Isaiah 64:8

Upon reflection on this scripture, I believe that this could be a conversation Jesus might have with each of us. “I am the Potter, and you are My clay. I designed you before the foundation of the world. My everlasting love is at work in every event of your life. Trust me. Walk by faith and not by sight. As you take steps of faith, rely on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you. When I give you My Spirit, I empower you to live far beyond your natural abilities. When you struggle and experience difficult days, I will be there to carry you. Walk with me and I can shape you and mold you into the Godly servant I have called you to be.”

Take time to reflect on the Footprints in the Sand Poem and see how God is always with us and carries us even when we are not aware.

One night I dreamed a dream.
As I was walking along the beach with my Lord.
Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,
One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,
I looked back at the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,
especially at the very lowest and saddest times,
there was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,
there was only one set of footprints.
I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you
Never, ever, during your trials and testings.
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."

Remember, our faith in God does not excuse us from experiencing hardship and sadness. The reality is that we all go through ups and downs in our lives. Sometimes God walks beside us, and other times He must carry us. When times are good, we are quick to thank God for His kindness and care. When those times are challenging it is hard to thank Him for the place we are in. We need to learn to give thanks that we do not face the situation alone. It is in those times God is carrying us through, by our obedience to Him.

Prayer:

Loving Lord, I continue to be touched by your constant love and care. When I struggle you provide more than I need or even imagine. Lord, You are the Potter and I am the clay. Mold me and make me, have Thine own way. Lord, I need Your spirit, Lord, I need Your grace. Help me to run this Christian race. Lord I give my life, I give my all to You, to be a willing vessel, to use me through and through. I praise and honor You as the King of all Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace and the loving Father that you have always been. Thank you for always being here for me. In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

My love and prayers,

Ann

About the Author

Dr. Ann Pearson

Ann graduated from the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Consumer Economics and household Equipment. She has a Masters in Science in Grief Counseling and Thanatology as well as a Doctorate in Philosophy of Pastoral Counseling and Thanatology from Breyer State University.

Her early professional career was spent working with the Tennessee Valley Authority in Knoxville, helping families of low income; working for the City of Charlotte Public Works Dept. and as a preschool teacher in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mobile and Fairhope AL. Ann has lived in Fairhope since 1986 where she immediately began serving in the youth department of Fairhope UMC. She joined the staff in 1990 as Youth Director, serving twice in this position and was also the interim Director of Children and Family Ministries for two years here! Ann had dual positions here at Fairhope UMC as Youth Director and Director of Caring Ministries which led to her becoming the full time Director of Caring Ministries in 2000. Ann loves her church family and appreciates the humble opportunity to be serving in this community. Ann has 2 children: daughter, Allison (Ryan) and son, Brad (Kate) and four granddaughters between the two! You will come to know she is passionate about University of Alabama Football, Grayton Beach and taking care of the people in this community by offering love, peace and God’s grace.

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