Clay in Your Hands I Will Be

Out of the dust You made me,

You breathed in me the breathe of life, (Genesis 2:7)

I was made to worship thee,

You as my husband, and I as Your wife.  (Hosea 2:16)

But You weren’t enough,

I simply needed more!

True happiness is found in stuff...

Like money, diamonds and men galore.

You watched me go and shook Your head,

“She’ll soon see in time,

Purpose is not found in the life she led,

But from I, Who lives inside.”

I was left broken and alone,

There’s no place left to go!

I have nothing to call my own,

And I sulk deeper in my pit of woe.

But in that miry clay You found me, (Psalm 40:2)

With darkness surrounding.

From my sin, I am now free,

And Your glorious light surrounds me.

Like a long lost love You take hold of me,

You vow to never let go of me.  (Hebrews 13:5)

So now I humbly plea,

That You would somehow use me.

With concentrated hands You mold me,

With tenderness You stretch me,

In the fire You strengthen me,

Clay in Your hands I will be.

And though I may never be complete, (Philippians 1:6)

The stretch marks tell the story,

Looking back at the ashtray I used to be,

To now giving God the glory.

Joy Lynn Chambers

The Dance of Faith

The Dance of Faith

**Written December 12, 2010**

Step by step, to and fro, round and round this ballroom we go.  The song is soft, my eyes are low, I watch Your feet to see where to go.

 One step at a time, we go back and forth, often forward but sometimes I get off track, 2 steps forward, one step back, and so often I trail, as we go on this dance of faith.

 Listen close, the lyrics sweet, declaring Your endless love for me.  But sometimes I slip, step on Your toes, lost my rhythm and fall down below.

 I ask for a break, "I'll sit this one out.  I'm sure there are others more skilled in this dance...well studied, well read, know the steps in their head...please go ahead, and use them instead."

 I stare at the floor.  I curse at my feet.  "Why, oh why, must you be so weak?  So torn in defeat?”  So instead...I retreat.  Give up this dance.  Give up the fight.  Declare that as the last dance and give up the life.

 But as I catch my breath, sit back and look up, there is my Faithful Partner, not willing to give up.  He washes my feet, He heals the soul/sole.  He takes my hands and pulls me close, and off again the music plays, I lean my head close and seek again to learn Your ways. 

 "Oh, my Beloved, I am sorry I'm slow.  I often lose my step and would rather just let go.  But You keep singing.  You still love me so.  You keep reaching out even when I cower low.” 

You whisper softly, "I'll never let go.  You may stumble, you may fall, but I'll be there, you know?  Trust me, my dear, for I love you so." 

 So once again, we dance the floor.  The music is playing, the lyrics are pure.  You pour out Your love on this dance floor, ministering to my heart and molding once more.  You say, "It's never too late to begin again, my dear, for I care for your heart so hear Me clear.  Though the dance is hard, and the strain is tough, I promise to never push you too much.  I promise to love you.  I promise to stay near.  I promise to never leave you, nor forsake you, so don't you fear." 

 So I begin once more, one step at a time, leaving my past and my sins behind.  I watch Your feet, I step on Your toes, so my feet will follow You, wherever You go.  And off we dance, day and night, preparing for our last dance in Heaven's delight. 

Joy Lynn Chambers

A Letter to Me

Dear Joy,

First off, I want you to know that I love you.  Though I don’t express it well, though I don’t say it often, and though I don’t think you’ll accept it as true, I know somewhere deep in the heart of Texas…..er….I mean, deep in my heart, I really do love you.  I’ve known you for years now, and look how far you have come!  Texas, New England, Canada.  I always knew you had potential to be a missionary, and I always did consider you more of a North American girl when it came to a potential mission field.  I think New England has been a beautiful fit for you.  Now bloom where you are planted, my dear!

God has great plans for you.  I know you can’t see it right now.  I know the future looks both daunting and confusing.  I know right now, it’s hard to predict what lies ahead, and it’s even harder to interpret what has already come to pass.  I know you thrive on introspection.  I see you lost in thought, having another conversation with yourself.  I look forward to the moment when you are finally able to write it all down for the world, or at least, for me to see.  Your writing is certainly your hearts language, so continue to pour that out and maybe even let the world see it.  People really can relate to you if you just let them in.

Lately we’ve been talking a lot about who you are…innately.  The real you……..dearest Joy……..I hope more of the world gets to see the real you soon.  Your considerate heart, longing to reach the wall flower much like you, brings light into the dark corners.  Your heart to share and meet others needs draws you sometimes out of bounds in enablement, but please do not lose that heart to serve and give.  Your desire to meet everyone where they are at can sometimes seem like you are wearing a mask to be accepted, but I urge you, please reach out but be transparent.  Your detail oriented mind takes abundant notes and tries to draw up a plan of action on how to build/maintain relationships with others, and though that considerateness proves well in good conversation, not offending others, and seemingly superficial friendships, I beg of you, not to confuse being a doormat for others to walk all over with being truly humble (Philippians 2:2-4).

Also, thank you for your service with those students of yours.  I understand how your job is both entertaining as well as grueling….encouraging and yet depressing.  God has called you to work with and invest in a boatload of teenagers…..it’s a HUGE job so don’t take it as a failure if you come home crying and don’t you dare try to tackle it alone! You can’t do it on your own, Joy….I know you are strong and I know you think you can, but sweetie, you simply can’t…..and God didn’t call you to anyway, so drop the cape and get back on your knees, my dear.  That’s where the real battle will be fought.  Oh, and stop trying to be everyone’s favorite…that, in fact, is not a battle worth fighting or winning. 

I know right now, you feel in flux.  You are 26 years old but feeling rather young to be an adult.  Those typical milestones of life that most of your friends are currently experiencing are absent in your life…things like having your own place, a boyfriend, a fiancé, a husband, children of your own….none of those exist in your life, but that’s ok.  Focus on what God currently has before you and pour in, my dear.  Pour in to those students, pour in to that staff, pour in to that church, pour in to those friends and families, pour in to your own blood family, pour in, Pour In, POUR IN, because there is so much you have to give!

I love you, don’t forget,

In Christ,

Joy Lynn

Letter written after watching: http://www.godvine.com/If-You-ve-Ever-Felt-Bad-About-Yourself-This-is-a-Video-You-Should-See--4476.html