In the Potter's hand 2

Helen dropped the knife in shock at the sound of her name. Hannah rushed to meet her granddaughter and held onto her tightly “Please don’t kill yourself, don’t add to your sins and perish in hell” cried Hannah. “What is in this life to live for, I have messed up everything, I have destroyed my life and brought shame to the ones that love me, I am a disgrace to the body of Christ and I have crucified my saviour the second time. I know you are disappointed too and it’s only a matter of time, before you also send me out. I can’t bear this shame, death is a better option right now, and I can’t just bear to live with this shame all my life.” Hannah prayed silently as Helen spoke trusting God for the right words to speak to her granddaughter, suddenly she began to sing.

In case you have fallen by the wayside of life

Dreams and visions shattered, you‘re broken inside

You don’t have to stay in the shape that you’re in

The potter wants to put you back together again

In case your situation has turned upside down

And all that you’ve accomplished is now on the ground

You don’t have to stay in the shape that you’re in

The potter wants to put you back together again

You are broken stop by the potter’s house

You need mending, stop by the potter’s house

Give him the fragment of your broken life

My friend the potter wants to put you back together again.

As Helen listened to the words of the song, she broke down into tears, she saw the Love of God and she knew there was hope for her again and God was willing and able to pick up the broken pieces of her life and make her a vessel unto honour for Himself again. “Lord, I am sorry for all I have done, for attempting to take my life and falling into the sin of fornication, please forgive me Lord. I surrender the broken pieces of my life to you, you are the Potter and I am the clay, please remould my life again, use it for your glory, I surrender to you Lord” Helen cried to God. She felt the presence of God as she prayed, His love and peace filled her soul, the joy of her salvation has now been restored unto her and all she could do was to worship, she knew that months ahead won’t be easy but she was sure that God was with her and for her and all will be well. “Welcome home, my child! Welcome back to your father’s house! Your sins have been forgiven and for your shame the Lord will give you double! Helen, I want you to know that I love you and as long as I live, I will be right by your side” Hannah reassured her. “Thanks Grandma” said Helen as her grandma gave her a warm hug.

“Congratulations, my dear! You have made us proud” said Helen’s mother. Helen could see the pain in her mother’s eyes. Her parents have always looked forward to her graduation day, knowing she would be graduating with a distinction and not only had she graduated with a distinction she also was the best graduating student for that session. “Thanks Mum, I am glad you are here” Helen said trying to force a smile. “How is dad?” she asked. “Helen, your dad is fine and he is very proud of you” said Dorcas. Dorcas knew this was far from the truth, she remembered the argument they had before she was allowed to attend their daughter’s convocation, she still doesn’t understand why her husband has refused to forgive their daughter, even though they were hurt by her actions but she still remains their daughter and their only child, she needs them more now. For more than three months Helen had been staying with her mother in-law, despite her pleadings and her mother’s he has refused to set his eyes on his daughter. His actions baffles her, he seems to be more concerned about his reputation in the ministry than his home. Over the months she had to sneak over to his mother’s place to check on their only child and today, when they are meant to be by her side, he decided not to come.

Helen looked at her baby, he looked so much like Charles. The thought of Charles brought tears to her eyes, since she informed him of the pregnancy he had refused to pick her calls, this morning she tried calling him again about the birth of their son, but his phone was switched off. This wasn’t the future they desired, she remembered while they were courting he said he was going to be in the labour room with her and his children will be delivered into his hands. But all their dreams have gone with the wind. “Why are you crying, dear?” asked Hannah. ”You should be grateful to God you know, you had a safe delivery and through you the gift to this generation has been born” said Hannah. “But, he might not get the privilege of meeting his father” sobbed Helen. “You don’t worry about that, The Lord will take care of him and will sort out every of your fears and concerns, so give Grandma a smile” Hannah said. Helen smiled at her grandma, she always knew the right words to say to her, she had been a source of strength to her and she admired her faith in God, she always reassured her that at the end her mouth will be filled with laughter and she shouldn't see the baby as a mistake but as a gift from God, created for signs and wonders.

“Helen it’s been six years since you had David, don’t you think it’s time you settle down, I mean get married” said Hannah out of concern. “Get married? Grandma, I waited on God for His perfect will in marriage and I got engaged to Charles, we fell into sin and he put the blame on me, leaving me all alone to bear the consequence, oh no, I will rather stay single” said Helen. “Yes dear, you prayed about Charles, in fact that was your first relationship but even though he was God’s will for you, you had a responsibility to make it work, you opened the door to the enemy through sin, remember he that breaks the edge shall the serpent bite. It was not God’s fault that it didn’t work out, God in His infinite mercy forgave you of your sin, took up your mess and turned it to a message, through your mistake souls have been worn into His vineyard and He also established you in your career, so why then are you hindering Him from completing His work? Why are you still holding onto the pain of your past?” said Hannah. Grandma was right, she had been holding unto the pain of her past, she has actually refused men who had wanted a relationship with her, and she didn’t even bother to pray about them. She had made up her mind to stay single, focus on the ministry God has called her into and raising her son, David. “Helen, you really need to start praying about your marital life” said Hannah bringing her out of her thoughts. “Ok Grandma, thank you for your love and support over the years, you have really been a source of strength to me” said Helen, hugging her Grandma.

Helen looked through the invitation at her desk at work, her secretary informed her that it was dropped by some delegates from The Living Wine Church; she had come in late, because she had an appointment earlier in the day, though their pastor had initially informed her about it, he had been a source of inspiration and strength especially during her trying time. They were having a youth convention at the end of the month, the initial speaker wasn't going to be available and they were led to invite her, which was the reason for the short notice. She was going to speak on a topic so close to her heart “In The Potter’s Hand”. “Lord, you must have a purpose for this, I pray that you will use me as your mouth piece” prayed Helen. Suddenly, Isaiah 41:19.”Behold I will do a new thing…………….” flashed through her mind. “Lord, are you talking about my upcoming ministration or my marital life?” said Helen. After her discussion with her Grandma, she had given herself to fasting and praying, trusting God to guide her concerning her marital life and she had been waiting on Him for a word but now she is confused. She doesn't know if God is speaking to her about her marital life or her ministration in The Living Wine Church, the word seems to fit into the two circumstances. “Lord, I just trust you with my life”.

“Can she be the one?” Charles kept asking as if he was speaking with someone. When he heard her name, he was taken her aback, seeing her confirmed it. She hasn't changed, though she has gained a little bit of weight. All of a sudden, he felt so ashamed. “I left her when she needed me most” thought Charles “By now we should have been married with kids”. A couple of months after she informed him about her pregnancy, he relocated to Chicago through the help of his Brother who resided there. His first year was the most frustrating year of his life, things where not just working out for him. He kept blaming Helen for his downfall until he had an encounter with God in a church his friend invited him to and he rededicated his life to God. Ever since, he had committed himself to the work of God and he made up his mind to live for God all the days of his life and God indeed blessed him in Chicago. After rededicating his life to Christ he tried getting in touch with Helen, but he couldn't get through to her, he tried calling her parents but he wished he never did as her father called him so many names, he also tried some of her friends but he was informed that they had also been trying to get through to her but her phone was always switched off. He ensured he kept praying for her, knowing what she might be going through, especially after his last conversation with her Dad. God had not led him to any relationship, he kept saying “he makes all things beautiful in his own time”, he was transferred by his company to Nigeria a month ago, to be the Operations Manager and he was invited by a colleague to this programme. “Praise, Jesus!” Helen’s voice jolted him out his thoughts and he listened to her preach.

Helen, thought she saw a familiar face among the congregation but she discarded the thought because she didn’t want to be distracted. But after the programme as soon as she was about to drive off, she heard a familiar voice call her name then she turned to the direction of the voice. “What, Charles?” said Helen in shock and she drove off in anger. Charles looked all around to ensure he hadn’t made a scene, “what was he expecting anyway, after what he had done to her he deserved this or worse” he said to himself.

Seeing Charles brought back memories, Helen couldn't hold back the tears as she drove home, she was lucky not to have had an accident. “Imagine, after having a spirit filled ministration and every one had encountered God, she is going back home in tears”

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To be Continued