This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So, I went to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.—Jeremiah 18:1-5 NIV
Several years ago, my husband and I brought home the cutest little puppy on the planet. On the third day of Miss Frankie’s arrival, I tripped over the puppy gate in our kitchen and broke my femur. This was followed by an ambulance ride to the hospital, surgery, and a week of intensive physical therapy in a residential Rehab Center.
Unexpected Struggles: A Night of Relentless Pain in Rehab
Sleeping in a medical facility is often challenging, but I didn’t expect this. Several days into my rehab stay, in the wee hours of the morning, a lightning bolt of pain shot from my hip to my knee to my ankle. In a continual loop, it swept over me again and again. Just as tears started running down my cheeks, I grabbed the call button to reach the nurse. Meds were administered, but the pain persisted. It was a moment of complete helplessness.
Alone in the darkness of my room, I raised my hands to the heavens, asking God for help as I waited for the meds to take effect. Amazing Grace repeatedly played in my head as I waited for relief. The more I prayed, the more I felt God was trying to tell me something. Even through the haze of pain, I sensed it was important. Something about who I am, who He is, and what He wants me to do.
Patience: Overcoming Overachievement in Rehab
I recently realized I’m an overthinker, but I never truly faced the fact that I’m also an overachiever and highly competitive. Nothing is wrong with these qualities, but in this specific situation, God spoke clearly … In the process of rehab, these attributes will NOT serve you well. Amid the waiting, my precious Savior spoke directly to my heart. Slow down. This is not a competition. These words rolled over and over until I finally drifted off to sleep.
The next day dawned, and I reflected on this phrase—sometimes, good attributes do not apply to every situation. God whispered those nine words in my ear. Like the potter in the book of Jeremiah, God restored and reshaped my broken spirit as it seemed best to Him.
Heeding the Call to Slow Down: A Rehab Revelation
The rehab day had begun. My door flew open, and the physical therapist walked in and greeted me with a smile. We exchanged pleasantries, and I told her about my painful overnight experience. She listened intently to every detail, including every word of what God had told me. When I had finished, she said, “Didn’t you hear me yesterday when I told you to slow down?”
Vaguely recalling her words, I replied, “Now that you mention it, I do remember.”
Unexpected Lessons from an Unlikely Place
What an amazing Savior we serve. This lesson was a gift from God, delivered to me in this unlikely place—good attributes are not beneficial to every situation. I have learned several significant life lessons from the misstep that sent me hurling over the puppy gate.
I am in awe of how God uses everything in our lives to shape us into something better. Like the clay in the potter's hand, so are we in God's hands.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are the shaper of our lives. You alone restore our hearts and renew our minds. We trust you to plan our steps and shape our lives. May the Holy Spirit guide us on the path you have prepared. Thanks be to God—Amen.
Your Turn: Seek Him daily, and you will find Him. The potter works wonders beyond imagination. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you ears to hear, and when He whispers, take note.
● What aspects of your life might hinder how God shapes and directs you?
● Are there areas in your life where God has told you to slow down? Why? If so, how will you do this?
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