Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Out of our best and worst experiences are born our most honest expressions - art that moves others to think and to feel. And, today it is anguish that stirs my creative juices. So, as the Psalmists of old, I offer this lament.
I love you as much as it is possible for me to love. I try to be everything that a husband/father/friend (pick whichever applies) should be. What have I gotten in return but constant sorrow. Pain beyond my ability to feel. A crushed and broken spirit.
Loss after loss after loss. One by one, those I love turn their backs on me. Is there something wrong with me? Am I that unloveable? Is it my lot in life to eventually die unloved and alone? Will You, oh Lord, also eventually turn your countenance from me? Am I one of the ignoble vessels You created? Bound for no glory and no special purpose? To be tossed aside and broken on the stony ground after some brief, mundane use?
(At this point the tiny vessel rises up and demands some explanation from the potter. The potter looks up from his work briefly, a slightly amused look on his face, then returns to his work)
I have no more strength. No more tears left to cry. I give up. I surrender.
And that is where He comes to meet me. After all of my anger and hurt are finally poured out and spent, I turn my eyes up toward Heaven and surrender. I lean on my staff and worship. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the Name of The Lord.
(Now the potter once again turns his attention to the tiny vessel and carefully inscribes his mark on the bottom of it. He purses his lips and a faint grin of satisfaction is clearly visible on his face as he considers his creation and thinks about all the work that he has put into it ... and all of the work yet to be done.)
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