(A new folk tale)
It was toward sundown when William the Potter shuffled into his humble cottage and shut the door using a little more force than necessary. With several grunts he peeled off his jacket and scarf. And once his outer clothing was hung on the hook beside the door, he heaved a great sigh.
His wife, Katherine, turned briefly from stirring the pot of stew that was simmering over the hearth fire.
“Welcome home, William,” she remarked with a speck of sarcasm.
William didn’t notice her tone, as he was too wrapped up in his own gloomy thoughts.
“What’s wrong, dear?” she asked, then returned to the task at hand: scraping the sides of the stew pot so no bits would be burnt and wasted.
William wearily sat down at the rough-hewn table and began working off his heavy boots.
“I’m so tired, Katherine—tired of working with dreary, dusty clay all day, tired of making the same plain, serviceable containers—jug after ordinary jug. Pot after ordinary pot. Hour after agonizing hour.”
One boot landed with a thump on the pine floor.
“So make something fanciful every now and then,” Katherine countered.
“But it’s the everyday pots, jugs and bowls that people buy.”
The second boot clumped beside the first.
“Oh, William, I am sorry. You must remember that your work is important. Without your pottery, how would the village store their water and grain, plant their herbs and flowers, or…serve their supper?” And Katherine placed in front of him one of his clay bowls, filled with savory stew.
“M-m-m,” responded William. “In my mind I know you are right, but my heart is no longer in it.”
The next day toward sundown, William again entered the cottage and shut the door with extra force. But this time, he didn’t even take off his coat and scarf before grabbing Katherine around the waist and swinging her in a tight circle, careful to avoid the table and fire.
“Katherine! Katherine!” he bellowed. “Such good news I have to tell you!”
She pushed against his shoulders. “William! For goodness’ sake, put me down! Whatever has gotten into you?”
“Oh, my dear, you will never guess my good fortune. Sit down while I tell you!”
Katherine wiped her hands on her apron before smoothing her skirts and taking a chair. Then clasping her hands as if to pray, Katherine sat ready to hear about this turn of events.
William drew a big breath and began.
“This afternoon I received a visitor at the shop—a visitor from the castle. The castle, I tell you! He says the king desires a new border for his gardens, a border of boxwoods in large pots. He’ll need dozens of pots, and he’s asked me to help! Isn’t that wondrous news?” And William looked to Katherine expectantly for her enthusiastic response.
Katherine paused for a moment before speaking. “Pots, you say.”
“Yes!” he replied.
“Like the pots you make for the village?” she inquired.
“The same! The king’s messenger even pointed to the ones lined up on the shelf and said they would do perfectly, except much larger, of course. Oh, think of the honor this is, Katherine.
“Yes, dear. Quite an honor. It’s just that…well…i-it seems to me…” Katherine stammered. And finally she spoke the obvious. “You’ll still be making ordinary pots, am I correct? Wasn’t it just yesterday you were bemoaning the very same task?”
“Ah, but starting tomorrow, I am working for the king,” William exclaimed. “These pots will be part of something glorious and enduring. And that changes everything!”
* * * * *
“Whatever you do,
work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord,
not for men…
It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
–Colossians 3:23-24
(Photo credits: www.goodlifelist.com; http://www.arteast.org; http://www.bloomiq.com.)
From the Inside Out 
;>)
Thank you, Mitch. (I did what I could with the time available! 🙂 )
Love it! And a fantastic reminder that everything we do is for The King! Thanks!
Thank you, Sheila. Yes, everything we do is for our Lord Christ–even making ordinary pots for villagers. Perhaps William will soon realize that!
🙂
This story is fabulously written, creative, and meaningful. Thank you.
Thank you, Carol. Praise God for his inspiration!
Beautiful story and a good reminder we work to glorify our God
always
Thank you, Janet. Those verses from Colossians were included in one of the Bible studies we did in Temple Tenders. They’ve been “with” me ever since, but I never knew they’d inspire a story!
Nancy, that’s pretty much the most amazing metaphor story I’ve read in a long time. Awesome work!
Aw, thank you Jody. You’re encouragement means so much!
Oh, my! So convicting, Nancy! I love how story can drive home an ouchy point in such a pleasing way…it’s like magic, isn’t it? Wonderful story, and timely for me!
Thank you, Rebeca! Praise God for inspiring the story. I remember when Colossians 3:23-24 first “spoke” to me, when our three children were young and most of my time was taken up with their care and housework. In fact, in the Bible I was using at that time, I wrote, “including housework” in the margin. I wish I could claim happy housewifery from that point on. Alas, no. But every now and then, while wiping noses, washing floors, or folding laundry I’d remember, “You are serving the Lord Christ!”
A new folk tale…FANTASTIC! This story says so very much. To do even the most mundane tasks as if doing it for the Lord also improves the quality of the work! I am sure even ‘William’ would do even more meticulous work, knowing it was for the king. Focus on Christ…at all times…and the positive attitude follows! Wonderful, Nancy!
Great point, Cheri! And thank you for your supportive comments. I appreciate you greatly, friend!
oh how we need to remember we all are working for the king, even when it seems unimportant. Hubby and I were just talking along these lines.
You were just talking about working for the King? How about that?! The key word I see in your comment is “seems.” In my experience, human evaluation of what’s important and what’s not is often inaccurate. But what a glorious promise that WHATEVER our task, menial or magnificent, if it’s done for Christ, it WILL be rewarded! Thank you, Carol, for stopping by!
Awww… What a great reminder as I read this before work today!! What a privilege it is to do everything as if doing it for the Lord… I needed that perspective!! ❤️
Thank you, Lisa. Indeed, it IS a privilege to do everything for the Lord. I need to keep mindful of that perspective also!