Learn about the power of faith and overcoming loneliness and burnout in The Small Jar.
This picture book, perfect for kids (and adults), explains God as the potter of our lives. It can also help children understand the Holy Spirit's role in their lives.
The Potter and His Vessels
In the potter's workshop, an oil lamp is placed on a pedestal to shine for the other vessels. Over time, its high position causes it to feel tired and lonely. It worries that its flame may burn out. In the back corner of the workshop sits another clay creation. It is a small, cracked jar and feels useless and lonely. The potter has a surprising plan to help both these vessels overcome their loneliness. If you suffer from burnout or feel too small, damaged, or insignificant for the potter to use you, this story is for you!
Burning Out and Fitting In
Burnout can happen to anyone, including children. They can become too busy and overwhelmed with so many things, and then they begin to feel lonely. Likewise, they can be lonely when they do not feel like they fit in or belong. Finding their place in this big world can be a struggle for them.

So, how can you help kids overcome burnout and know they fit in? You introduce them to this beautiful allegory of the potter and his vessels. In this fourth book in The Potter Series, an oil lamp is placed on a pedestal to shine for the other vessels. Over time, its high, lonely position causes its oil to disappear, and the oil lamp will burn out.

Simultaneously, in the back corner of the workshop sits another clay creation. This little vessel is a small, damaged jar that does not fit in. The other pieces of pottery only know it is there once the potter pulls it from the ashes and uses its flaw to replenish the oil lamp with oil. While the oil lamp believes it should help the jar, it discovers that the wounded container can help it. Like the crack in the small jar, our creator can use our flaws to help others.

Additionally, the jar's design allows it to fit perfectly into the rim of the oil lamp. Together, the vessels serve the potter and overcome their loneliness.

The Holy Spirit and Oil
The Bible uses oil to represent the Holy Spirit. This connection helps children understand that the Holy Spirit is required for us to shine the light of God, and the wounds (or cracks) we have are how we can share the Holy Spirit with others. The Small Jar can pass oil (the Holy Spirit) through its crack into Oil Lamp.