Frail

 

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: 7

She knocked at my classroom door and stood waiting with her mom and older sister. I was overjoyed to see Joanna. Her loving nature made her one of my favorite students in the two years that I had known her. But, her family had suddenly decided to go back to Puerto Rico, and I thought I’d never see her again.

Now she had traveled back for a visit, and wanted to thank me for teaching her. She gave me a tiny pitcher, hand made out of clay, and decorated with a pretty floral design and the words “Puerto Rico.”

How thoughtful of her to remember me and bring me this tiny reminder of her. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of more than Joanna. It reminds me that when I seem as frail as that little pitcher, Christ can show His power within me.

Many times I have felt hard pressed, perplexed, persecuted, struck down. This little clay pitcher reminds me that even in my frailty, I have the treasure of the glory of God in my life.

Let me remind and encourage you when your back and legs ache, your nerves fray, you’ve had sleepless nights, and you have more to do than you can possible handle. Yes, let me remind you that as the Apostle Paul gives testimony in 2 Corinthians 12:10:

…when we are weak, then God is strong.

God wants to pour out a great blessing from your tiny pitcher of clay, and in so doing, reveal His all-surpassing power.