Enjoy this encouraging teacup parable called The Teacup Story. This story will give you a sense of your real value and worth, despite any flaws. Receive the teacup story printable below to print for your personal use or use in your tea ministry.
The author is unknown and the bible verse that correlates with this story is Jeremiah 18:6b “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” If you want other ideas for tea parties, visit my Afternoon teatime page.
Get Your Free Teacup Story Printable Below
When I owned Teacups of Kindness (a teahouse), this wonderful Teacup story was posted on my website and we gave it to guests that came for tea. I have always loved this parable and wanted to share it again.
Encouraging Teacup Devotional
There was a couple that used to go to England to shop in beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery, especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. One day in a beautiful shop they saw an exquisite teacup. They asked the clerk, “May we see that? we’ve never seen one quite so lovely.”
As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. “you don’t understand,” it said. “I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red, and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over, and I yelled out, ‘let me alone,’ but, he only smiled and said, ‘Not yet.’ Then I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly spun around, and around, and around. Stop it! I’m getting dizzy!’ I screamed.
If you are also looking for more encouraging printable scripture cards read this article.
The Master Is At Work In You
“But the master only nodded and said, ‘Not yet’. then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked on the door. I could see him through the opening, and I could read his lips, as he shook his head, “Not yet.”
“Finally the door opened, he put me on a shelf, and I began to cool. ‘There that’s better’, I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Stop it, stop it!’ I cried. He only nodded, ‘Not yet.’ Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot, and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded.
I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head and saying, ‘Not yet.’
“Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened, and he took me out and placed me on a shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, ‘Look at yourself.’ And I did. I said, ‘That’s not me, that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.’
“I want you to remember, then, he said, ‘I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it hurt and was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.
“I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have held. Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.'”
Teacup Prayer
MORAL: God knows what He is doing for all of us. He is the Potter, and we are His clay. He will mold us and make us, so that we may be made into a flawless piece of work to fulfill His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
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I hope you enjoy this Teacup Story as much as I do. If you like it you can sign up in the big blue box above and download it for free and please share this article on Facebook and Pinterest.
The next time you have a tea party, you could read the potter and the clay story and it would be a great ending to your event.
Jeremiah 18:1-6 Verse
The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I shall announce My words to you.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel.
But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NASB)
Find other ways to encourage someone who has lost a loved one.
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If you enjoyed The Teacup Story, you may like these inspirational items.
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Carole says
Love this story, Candi! The next time I have a tea party, I'll be sure to read it to my guests!
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Candi says
Thanks for stopping by. I find it a cute story to read and I usually get a good response.
Joyce says
Hi can do, I know this is 2019, but tomorrow our ladies ministry is having a “Tea With The King” is our theme, and I will be reading the Tea Cup Story, when I found this on Pinterest, it spoke loudly and clear to me as I was struggling with a situation, thank you for sharing. May God bless you.
Cindy Howell says
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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Candi says
your welcome, thanks for stopping by.
Wendi says
Oh my Heavens what an awesome story! This touched my heart so much. Sometimes we feel just like this teacup and it’s all for making us strong to hold! I love this so much! Thank You
@juliejordanscot says
This is such a fantastic story. All tea cups have stories – don't they? I actually tell family story and history stories and encourage the women I have tea with to celebrate traditions about tea. So lovely!
Kathy says
Thank you for sharing this story. As a believer in the Lord and retired minister I am clay being processed into His woman! On Nov 7, my church women’s group will hear this story while we are enjoying fellowship over a cup of tea.
God bless you
Hazel Wallace says
I’ve registered and I have not been successful in finding the printable version of the Tea Cup Story. I’m hosting a Tea Event tomorrow and would love to have a printable copy to share with the ladies group. I found the story to be very inspirational
Candi Elm says
Were you able to get the printable? It should have been a download right after you clicked the button. If not I can resend.
Sue says
Signed up, how do I print the story? Wanted to use it at my tea party on Thursday.
Margaret says
I signed up for the newsletter but didn’t get the printable. Can you send me info on how to print?
Deb says
Yes, I tried to print it as well.
I have a Tea coming up soon.
[email protected]
Margaret says
I just checked my downloads and didn’t find it. Can you resend?
Deb I says
I can’t find the printable story ? So enjoyed it but can’t copy it ??? Left my info ,disappointed………..
Mandy says
I love that story. Having difficulty find the link to print. Maybe it’s my phone. Could you please email it to me?
Candi Elm says
When you sign up, its an automatic download. It should be in your files. Thanks.
Melody says
No link available to print this lovely story. Can you send a pdf version?
Candi Elm says
When you sign up, its an automatic download into your files. You will find it there. Thanks
Janet says
I was unable to find a link to print out the tea party story, even after signing up for your newsletter. Is there some way it could be sent to me? As a potter, I would really appreciate it. Thanks.
Candi Elm says
Hi Janet, It is an automatic download, look in your taskbar or your download file. I hope you enjoy it.
Helen Brown says
That is a beautiful story. I just know my Red Hat sisters will love to hear it next Wednesday at our monthly meeting. Thank you.
Donna J Shepherd says
This would be perfect for a children’s tea party. Thanks so much!
Denise says
I filled out name/email. & have not received a notice to download?
Sandra simmons says
I belong to a group of Brits & we meet for tea once a month& have done so since 1972. We add members & have those who leave us but we keep on keeping on. We have four members who are in their 90s God Bless from the Teasippers in the Blue Ridge Mtns of Va
Kathy says
Being from England and a believer in Jesus and His redemptive love for me, your story of the Teacup touched me. I have had epilepsy since I was 14; and God in His perfect love has been molding me for many years! I am now 67! Puts the words to Amazing Grace in a whole new light.
A beautiful depiction of hiw much He loves us.
June Harris says
so disappointed I can’t print the teacup story. Would like it for my meeting this week
Candi Elm says
I am sorry you are having trouble. I did not see that you signed up to receive the printable story. I tried to reply to the email you listed, but it came back as nonexistent You can try again with another email.
Yvonne Whittington says
As a lover of tea, tea cups and tea pots, and God’s word, this story blessed my heart and was a wonderful reminder that I am not my own; I belong to the Father who fashioned me for His purpose. Thank you for sharing Candi.
Charlene Galloway says
I have applied twice for the printable download It is not on my taskbar or in my downloads
What do I need to do. I need it by Wednesday
Linda says
I plan on having a tea for my WM ladies and this is what I need for the inspiration. Thank you so much.
Jan dowd says
I like other before me are not able to download the teacup story as we were told. I am disappointed to say the least
Judy says
I signed up for your website and the only thing to download was the menu. Not the tea story. Could you please tell me how to get it. Thanks Judy
Tea With Jennifer says
You have a lovely blog & I loved how this truth was set in this story. A tea store! How delightful!
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa,
Blessings,
Jennifer
sharon pullum says
i bought the story and tried to download couldn’t neither could i print it. sharon pullum please help send me a copy to my email maybe i can print it that way. i need it for my mother’s day tea party at my women’s ministry on the 20th of may please ASP. [email protected] i joined yours. please please help it so beautiful.
Nikki Krakauer aka ”JustTabandMeJustTabandMe” says
Thank you *so* much for telling this parable. I’m 78, & have been in the Lord’s keeping all these years. This reminds me of a song we used to sing in Sunday school. I’m not positive of all the words, but it still “sings” in my head. I think it goes like so……“Have thine own way, Lord, have thine own way….thou art the potter, I am the clay. Make me and mold me, to thine own will, I’m waiting and willing, kneeling and still.” I haven’t seriously thought about the words in a long time! When I’ve had the “worst” happen in life, and can hardly even find words to pray, I’ve always sang this. Thank you for identifying what scripture it came from. Blessings!!!
Joyce says
Hi Candi , I know this is 2019, but tomorrow our ladies ministry is having a “Tea With The King” is our theme, and I will be reading the Tea Cup Story, when I found this on Pinterest, it spoke loudly and clear to me as I was struggling with a situation, thank you for sharing. May God bless you.
Julie Saenz says
intersested in downloading story please.
Robin Beck says
Please send me the Teacup Story to read in our Women’s Meeting in November. Thank you.
Angel says
I love it! Inspiration for me right now while life is not ideal. Thank God for the Potter! Thanks for sharing
Freida says
Please send this story. It blessed me and I would like to share it ladies at my church.
Vera says
Thank you for this post. Sorry I cannot afford to buy the frameable story during this sheltering time at home. It is a blessing to read, though. Again, thank you.
Candi Elm says
You can still print if for free inside the post there is a free download.
Karolyn Martin says
I enjoy tea and tea cups, but the story is a bonus. Thanks
Cecily says
I am a tea lover as is my husband. We also love the Word of God. Thank you for sharing this lovely story.
Suzanne Calhoun says
Beautiful, thank you. I could not find how to print?
Karen Jakicic says
Could you possibly email me the story? I can not find it anywhere in my files.
Linda says
Have you ever read the teacup story with music in the background? If so what music did you use? I thought it would be dramatic to use different music that went with story in the different paragraphs. Thank you.
Vee says
What a lovely story! And that gorgeous teacup…do you know the maker? I would love to drink my tea from such a cup!
Sandra says
The story is so true.
I’d love to find out the maker of that beautiful teacup and saucer as well
Wilma says
Thank you! I have been so encouraged reading your blog.
I plan to have a tea party but did not know where to start.
Jill Ryan says
I am a very hard headed, impatient woman and I’m 73 years old. I’ve had breast cancer, double mastectomies, chemo, 4 back surgeries, one that involved rods and screws and lasted 6 hours. I now have rheumatoid arthritis and, for those of you who may not know, does not only involve crippling but damage to your internal organs as well. I feel as though God has been molding me for years. In this last year, my son found out he had colon and bladder cancer. Then his liver and gallbladder, then he had lesions on his lungs.All was stage 4, and we were certain it was going to take his life. I asked every friend I had ever made as a Army Colonel’s wife, and every friend from my private life to please pray and if they were part of a prayer group, to please ask them too, to pray for my son. I begged them to pray with faith that Jesus would listen and answer our pleas for my sons’ return to good health. He has a wife and two precious daughters that he loves dearly. He has done chemo and surgeries and Jesus has listened to our pleas and my son is doing well today. He is not cured but he is very close to a cure. He has amazed doctors. Jesus has been the driving force with Mikey. Because so many people have pleaded with my Lord to save my son, Jesus has helped my son recover.
And so this is why I wrote this letter. I deserve nothing from Jesus. I’ve been a sinner and he is still molding me. I love him with all my heart and I’ll never be able to thank my savior enough for helping Mikey. He loves me and it was through prayer that he knew I needed him. All of us can do this. Just have faith that Jesus is our Savior. He’s always there for us.