Don’t Let Your Heart Harden

Artist Statement

Psalm 95 Ceramics The first two versions of my Psalm piece exploded in the kiln. Quite literally: kaboom! Straight through the heart, they shattered and left a yawning hole. So I waited and tried to make what was left work. The beauty of turning to Jesus in our fractured state is realizing that we no longer have to hastily gather up shards of our broken selves and try to piece something left over as the ending of our story. He redeems what is broken and he rewrites our ending. What if the place you feel most shattered and the space your heart has hardened is the very threshold where Jesus wants to meet you? What if it took your heart shattering to be tender enough to grow something new? The sweet and modest herald of life that is the daffodil, cherry blossom, lily, and snow drop are inviting you to bloom again after the slumber and darkness of your winter. Whether that be the physical slumber of the season you’re in or the slumber of tenderness in your heart. “Do not be like the people of Meribah,” declares the Psalm. Do not let your heart harden if you hear His voice. Do not miss the opportunity to turn in your brokenness toward the tender call and growth of life that Jesus so steadily offers.