Imperfections

I had a few bags of clothes, accessories, and household items to donate.
I brought them to my favorite Country Thrift Shop.
The shop has been through a total renovation.
Donating is quite easy with a drive up area in the back of the shop.

When you enter the donation room, things are neatly organized.
It is easy to see where to place your bags, since areas are designated for various things.
There is an elderly Amish man who carefully handles the donations.
It is a pleasure to visit, even in this room full of shelving and bags.

After I donate my things I usually park and go inside.
I visit the antique room first, where wonderful items can be found.
I consider the items in that room hidden treasures.
I am convinced that some people do not realize what they gave away.

If they do realize what they gave away, I am very grateful to them.
I have found many wonderful things in that room.
The other day was no exception.
There was an old mixing bowl that caught my eye.

I was not sure if I would actually use the bowl or have it as decoration in my Hoosier cabinet.
I already have a larger bowl like it in my Hoosier cabinet.
This one would be a nice piece to place alongside.
I put the small, green mixing bowl in the basket that I carried around with me.

I usually leave the antique room and go upstairs.
Toys, housewares, and dishes are found there.
Books and fabric are upstairs as well.
There is even an area that sells Plain Clothes that many Amish customers frequent.

I found a few other things and added them to my basket as well.
I headed back downstairs to pay.
I had other errands to run that day.
I watched the cashier wrap my fragile items in newspaper.

I could not wait to find a place for my mixing bowl in the Hoosier cabinet.
I put the bowl on the top rack of my dishwasher to give it a good washing.
When I emptied the dishwasher, I took the bowl out and wiped the bottom with a dishtowel.
It was then I saw the hairline crack.

The crack was so small.
I am sure that the cashiers or the elderly, Amish man never saw it.
I never saw it and I looked the bowl over quite well.
I determined that the bowl would indeed be decorative.

Some may throw the bowl away after seeing the hairline crack.
The crack is on the rim.
It actually endeared me to the bowl even more.
In many ways, the hairline crack describes me and you.

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The Vessel (I originally published this poem on March 15, 2012)

There sat the grandest vessel…high upon the shelf.
I have no place of honor, he thought sadly to himself.
I’ve been so very useful, to many, all my days.
I poured and poured so proudly; I served in wondrous ways.

I was filled with choicest wine, and water, cool and clear.
I have not been taken off this shelf for oh, so many years.
Suddenly, a bright, white Light shone round about the room.
Illuminating cobwebs never swept away by brooms.

It shone in every crevice and in every hiding place.
It shone round the vessel brightly, landing right upon his face.
He was the grandest vessel, high upon the shelf.
But in the Light he saw inside the cold, hard lumps of self.

The Light continued shining, till the vessel hid his face.
Then warmth began to seep down deep in every broken place.
The vessel opened up his eyes and soon began to see.
All that ever filled me up was nothing more than me.

The Light shone on all the places, cracked beyond repair.
I will shine My Light upon you. We’ll begin right there.
The vessel felt so warm inside and soon began to see,
The cracks that marred his beauty would finally set him free.

No longer stuck upon the shelf, that was not so very grand.
He was taken down and polished, safe within the Potter’s Hand.
But I have cracks, the vessel said, as anyone can see.
I know, the Light responded, but I’ll fill them up with Me.

Those cracks will radiate My Light, as it shines upon your face.
You will begin to pour again…not water, wine, but grace.
I saw the cracks and cobwebs, but it was plain to see.
The reason I was beautiful was the Light of Him…not me.

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I know why the hairline crack endeared me to the bowl even more.
I have hairline cracks.
I have imperfections.
Those imperfections are made beautiful by the Potter’s Hands.

Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

We are the work of God’s hand.
No two of us are alike.
God, the Potter, fashions us the way He chooses.
Our marks and imperfections are not mistakes; they are by His design.

We are His vessels.
Our cracks and imperfections radiate His Light.
Those imperfections are wonderful ways to let His Light shine through.
My mixing bowl, with the hairline crack, has a prominent place in the Hoosier cabinet.

As a reminder…

2 responses to “Imperfections”

1. Reminds me of my Grandma Wood’s Hoosier cabinet at her home in Indianapolis. After she died I would have loved to have it, but had no room in my house. So when I visit you I remember my Grandma. She was a devoted Christian, as were my other grandparents and my parents. I’ve been truly blessed! Like all of us, there were cracks, but God made them to be Godly people who I try to emulate.

   Reply

   • Sue,
     I am so glad my Hoosier reminds you of your grandmother.
     We all have cracks but those cracks are part of who we are.
     God does not make mistakes.
     Gina

     Reply