Saturday, January 22, 2011

Our Uncommon Uses

While cleaning my home today, I notice two of my favorite objects: a flowerpot and a serving dish.   We received them as wedding gifts over ten years ago, and they were both too beautiful not to use.  
But I don't grow flowers inside in pots, and I rarely transfer our dinner onto serving platters (and this one seemed too small for my family).  I couldn't keep these things hidden away!  Instead, I found uncommon uses for both the pot and the platter.

The pot became my cooking utensil holder.

The platter became our key tray. 

I realized that the pot can hold more than soil; the platter can carry more than a meal.

As I think about all my specific plans and dreams--the things I know I was made for--I have to pause and ask about the uncommon uses for my skills.   

Over the years, I have been so busy telling the Potter what I am really made for, and He's already using me for broader, more interesting and more useful things. Things I hadn't imagined.  Immeasurably more! 

Sometimes we emerge into the world on usual paths, using our gifts and talents in uncommon but wonderful ways.  Living with flair means I allow it.  We are too beautiful--too loved--to be kept hidden away. 


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Journal:  Our wedding theme verse was from Ephesians 3:20:  "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. . . "  As I look at my wedding objects today, I think about the unsual paths our lives take.  How have I seen God do "immeasurably more" with the plans and dreams of my heart?

2 comments:

Ann Kroeker said...

You were "repurposing" things before the term became commonplace!

I do want to be open to using the things I'm good at, the skills I've developed and the wisdom I've gained, for God's purposes, whatever they may be that day.

Sometimes I use for my devotional The Divine Hours, by Phyllis Tickle (sort of a Breviary-meets-Book-of-Common-of-Prayer praying-the-hours resource for the wimpy contemplative...but please don't ever tell Phyllis I described it like that). The "Concluding Prayer of the Church" for the morning office ends with "...and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen."

I pray that, truly trying to stay open to how I might let God direct me to the fulfilling of His purpose. Even if it means that I'm a meat platter asked to hold keys.

Anonymous said...

This is such a beautiful post. Very thoughtful.