I wanted to share a favorite habit of Shelly's that she always did at this time of year. It brings a natural smile to my memory, and truly hits that tender spot deep within with a subtle warmth. Meet my garden statue, that I appropriately call...
"Shelly's Hands"
I found this concrete statue quite a few years back at a local statutory. The open hands immediately reminded me of God's hands, and how the butterfly is symbolic of us. He does hold us in the palm of His hand, loosely and gently. It's up to us to come into His presence. What a beautiful image.
You see, I am an avid gardener. I love flowers! Anyone that's ever seen our house, can attest. Plants and flowers everywhere! The more the better. It must be my English heritage as I'm always striving for the stereotypical "cottage garden". So you can see why this statue found a permanent home with us.
When we first got Shelly, it was after one of her mega Frisbee sessions that she joined me at the hands while I was watering my flowers. She couldn't lap up the cool water I sprayed into them fast enough. It was adorable! Her tongue was hanging out by at least 2 inches!! Funny how clearly I remember all of this right now. Mike used to gauge how well her Frisbee sessions went, by the length of her protruding, panting tongue afterwards! I know only a man could come up with this.... :)
In fact, she soon knew that they were her own drinking bowl. They were just the right size, height, etc. I wish I had gotten a picture of her then, but unfortunately the phone camera's weren't what they are today. This is how my garden statue got christened, Shelly's Hands. Whenever I was watering, Shelly was there drinking alongside me.
So in reading my bible, I last read Jeremiah 18, about the Potters House. My favorite verses in this chapter are vs. 4-6 which says: 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. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel..
Naturally I couldn't help but think about Shelly's Hands sitting out front. I also began thinking how they used to be so filled by the energetic life of a young dog. These days they often go dry and empty. The water that they now cup is still like a mirror and offers time for solemn reflection when I gaze into them.
The pot was marred, but the potter used it anyhow. He turned it into something he saw fit. God is saying he can do the same thing with his chosen people. So thinking about this, even if we're marred or have a situation that is marred, which in Hebrew actually means destroyed, God can rework it into something that He sees as best! Notice it says what the potter sees as best, not what the pot sees as best. God is the potter and we are the clay...this tells me that God is in control, 100%. I'm not able to know what's always best for me, but thankfully He does!
Looking back at that butterfly sitting on the tip of the open hands, it too was transformed from a cocoon to become that beautiful butterfly. When we allow God to change us, even if it's painful, there is beauty on the other side.
If you look real closely at this below photo, you will see Shelly laying down under the Japanese maple in the background. Just about high noon of the hands. During this season of her life, she deserves to be resting. I don't know how much time we'll have left with her, but I believe one day I will see her running and jumping again for the Frisbee. Although the hands that she'll be drinking from will be the real thing, for they will be the hands of God.
In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:10
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