Happy Fruitful Friday Reader!

New editions of The Potter Series (The Little Pot, The Tea Pot, The Oil Lamp, and The Small Jar (previously Burnout Fit In) were released last month. I am so excited to have the books in their new format. They each went through a professional edit by Crystal Bowman. Crystal is an award-winning author of over 100 children's books! You will recognize many of her books, including Our Daily Bread for Kids and Our Daily Bread for Preschoolers. I was privileged to have her assistance in making my stories better.

With all the little changes, my favorite was the newer version of The Tea Pot.

🫖 The new and improved Tea Pot!

In the new version of The Tea Pot, the vessel struggles with comparing itself to others and not liking its reflection. This makes the Tea Pot unwilling to share its tea and "Pour into others." It still convinces Little Pot to keep its fruit and teaches children that the fruit of the Spirit benefits others, not just ourselves. There is still the part of the story where the potter forgives and washes Tea Pot of its stains, just as our creator forgives and cleanses us from our sins.

The new part of the story is that I've added cups to it. These teacups cannot be filled when Tea Pot is selfish. Tea Pot's true purpose is realized only when the tea is poured out. In the same way, when we pour out what our creator has made inside us, we deepen our sense of purpose and connection.

Finding your own "Brew"

Just as Tea Pot finds its true purpose in pouring out the tea it has brewed, we, too, can discover the joy and satisfaction that comes from sharing our own “brew” of experiences, knowledge, and resources with those around us. By embracing this mindset, we uplift and empower others and cultivate a greater sense of fulfillment within ourselves. It’s a reciprocal relationship where the more we pour into others, the more we find ourselves filled with meaning and purpose.

🪴Fruit-Bearing Requires Fruit-Picking

After you read the blog, you'll discover that God grows the fruit of the Spirit through us as we pour into others. Little Pot cannot grow more fruit unless its strawberries are picked. Therefore, the question is, What about you (your experiences, resources, or talents) have you allowed your creator to have and give to others this week?

Our world is not void of people with needs. In my state, people are struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene. My church collected water last Sunday to send to them; many organizations are also helping. I also had a friend ask for donations to help send a woman on an upcoming woman's retreat. After writing about Tea Pot, I knew it was wrong not to give something to help her. My blogs and books may just be for me. They allow God to speak and tell me what I need to do as His vessel. I pray they do the same for you and the kids you share them with.

​These new books are available on Amazon.​

And don't forget, I still have a few copies of the first editions available for just $6.00 each! Click this button to shop.

The next vessel.

I am often asked, "Will there be another vessel and another book?" I know God has more to teach me, so the answer is yes! I would love to hear some ideas from you. I am thinking about a bread pan and including lessons about how the potter provides for us. I've been studying the many scriptures that deal with Jesus as "The bread of life." I have also explored a salt shaker and how we are called to be "The Salt of the Earth." My other thought was a water pitcher that would illustrate Jesus as living water. Let me know which idea you think would make the best story.

After you've chosen, I'd love you to reply and share some resources to help me study those concepts. Likewise, if you have a different vessel idea, please share.

See you next week for more fruitfulness,

Dawn, Little Pot, Tea Pot, Oil Lamp, and The Small Jar!

​​​​​​​​​

​