March 2026 by Bailey McKinley
In The Potter’s Hands
“But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8
Have you ever worked with clay, maybe even something as simple as Play-Doh?
If so, you know it can be harder than it looks! Getting the shape just right takes patience, and the process can get messy very quickly.
Ironically, life often feels much the same way. It can be messy, unpredictable, and at times frustrating when things do not come together as neatly as we hoped.
Yet Scripture lovingly reminds us that we are not shaping ourselves; God is the Potter, and we are the clay.
The Beauty of Being Formed
Our Heavenly Father does not leave us cracked, unfinished, or forgotten. He continues His work in us, shaping and refining us day by day with grace and intention.
That ongoing work is called sanctification, a process that can feel slow and even uncomfortable, but one that always carries purpose.
Though the shaping may be tedious, the outcome is beautiful: we begin to look more and more like Jesus.
And girl, that makes every difficult moment worth it.
More Than A Craft
This past Tuesday at Sheologie, we created air-dry clay coasters together. What seemed like a simple craft quickly became a lesson in patience.
To begin with, even making a circle proved more difficult than expected; mine kept coming out a little wonky! And the small finishing details required even more attention than I anticipated.
As I worked, I could not help but think about how patient God must be with me.
He never rushes the process.
He never gives up when the edges are uneven.
Even when I resist, when I want control, or when I struggle against His shaping, He remains faithful.
Surrendering the Process
If we are honest, many of us try to fight the molding process from time to time.
We like control. We prefer certainty. We want the finished product without the stretching, pressing, and refining that comes first.
But becoming a woman of God requires willingness.
A willingness to let Him shape us into who He has called us to be, and faith to trust that what He is creating is far better than what we would form ourselves.
His Masterpiece
Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are His “workmanship.”
The Greek word used here is poiema, meaning a work of art, a masterpiece.
How beautiful is that?
Every detail matters to Him.
Every season has a purpose.
Every shaping is part of His design.
We are not random pieces of clay, we are intentionally crafted by the loving hands of our Father.
Until next time, shine bright, sisters-
Not for praise, but for the One who saves.
Bailey
If you would like to try making your own clay coaster at home, click here for the instructions and upload your finished creation below; we would love to see it!
What Are Your Thoughts?