As I continue to work with pottery I am amazed how it has taught me about God’s character and heart towards His creation. Jeremiah 18:1-6 says, “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 down to the potter’s house, and 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 as seemed best to him. Like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, Israel (NIV).” There are many references in the Bible about the potter and the clay, and as I continue to work with clay I am understanding why. These new insights inspired us to offer one day retreats, which, thanks to my husband, will be called Mud Matters. The point of the retreats will be to address the concept that we are all mud and we all matter greatly to our heavenly Father. We will explore all the metaphors of pottery to show how we were all molded and shaped with great love for a specific purpose. We are all made of dust and water which make mud or clay. We will explore the wheel, and how it represents the spinning of life, knocking us off balance. Centering—the work of the potter to get us centered in order to become what the potter intends us to be. Shaping and pulling just the right amount in order to hinder vulnerability to breakage. Bisque firing in order to rid of impurities and ensuring our strength. Glazing to give us our unique qualities and gifts. Glaze fire to ensure we are stable vessels that will be able to resist the harshness of the elements. If you have a group that might be interested in this exciting insightful journey, email Dust to Dawn Pottery at dusttodawnpottery@gmail.com. ~