In my Ladies Bible Study today the Holy Spirit reminded me again of a hard lesson I learned about six months ago. I felt like I did back in college when I was taking a final exam and saw a question about what we learned back at the beginning of the term; a little amazed that I could ever have let such crucial information slip into the background. It had seemed important at the time it was first learned, but somehow in the time since, I had so much new information coming in, it had been getting lost.

I thank the Lord for that not so gentle reminder today that I need to slow down a bit and make sure that I am not missing the basics. It added to what He was trying to tell me the day before. It answered the frustrations that I had been feeling over the last week.

Now I need to spend some time with Him, meditating on what He is saying to me. I need to let this truth seep back inside of me. And I need to do some repenting. I do not need to get in a ditch and beat myself up for having to learn a lesson over again. I just need to accept the forgiveness that my Lord offers and seek the refreshing that His presence offers.

I am grateful that I have this weekly Bible Study commitment. I never fail to pick up something from each lesson. Something that corrects, edifies, encourages or simply answers a situation of the week. I know that the Lord uses this time to shape me and mold me. It is extra time on the Potter's Wheel.

My answering machine says: "We may not be perfect….but God's still working on us….aren't you glad that He is?" I know the condition of my heart from one week to another. I know how far I have to go and how imperfect this flesh is. I will never say that because I go to Bible Study and Sunday Morning services, I am a better Christian because that is so untrue. But, I will say that I am far better off on the inside because I do make and keep these commitments. God's Word changes me and the more opportunities I take to hear it, the more I will be changed. And oh I am so glad that God is still working on me!

I hope that everyone will consider joining a weekly Bible Study or Small Group this year. Spend some more time on the Potter's Wheel, I'm sure that you won't regret it.