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. You can get a free printable version of this story below.
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 teatime page.
If you are also looking for more encouragement printable scripture cards read this article.
The Teacup Story
Inspirational and Encouraging Teacup Story
There was a couple that used to go to England to shop in the 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.
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 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.'”
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.
I hope you enjoyed this Teacup Story as much as I do. If you like it you can PRINT it below and please share it on twitter, facebook or pin it.
The next time you have a tea party, you could read this 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)
If you enjoyed The Teacup Story, you may like these inspirational items.
Joy Teapot for 1
Vintage Floral Paper Tea Cups with Handles and Saucers for a Tea PartyRoyal Albert New Country Roses Formal Vintage Boxed Teacup and SaucerPaper Luncheon Napkins 40pcs Tea Party, Tea Cup with Rose
Free Teacup Story Printable
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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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Thanks for stopping by. I find it a cute story to read and I usually get a good response.
What a beautiful story! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
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your welcome, thanks for stopping by.
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!
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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
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
Were you able to get the printable? It should have been a download right after you clicked the button. If not I can resend.
Signed up, how do I print the story? Wanted to use it at my tea party on Thursday.
I signed up for the newsletter but didn’t get the printable. Can you send me info on how to print?
I just checked my downloads and didn’t find it. Can you resend?
I can’t find the printable story ? So enjoyed it but can’t copy it ??? Left my info ,disappointed………..
I love that story. Having difficulty find the link to print. Maybe it’s my phone. Could you please email it to me?
When you sign up, its an automatic download. It should be in your files. Thanks.
No link available to print this lovely story. Can you send a pdf version?
When you sign up, its an automatic download into your files. You will find it there. Thanks
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.
Hi Janet, It is an automatic download, look in your taskbar or your download file. I hope you enjoy it.
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.
This would be perfect for a children’s tea party. Thanks so much!
I filled out name/email. & have not received a notice to download?
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
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.
so disappointed I can’t print the teacup story. Would like it for my meeting this week
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.
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.
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
I plan on having a tea for my WM ladies and this is what I need for the inspiration. Thank you so much.
I like other before me are not able to download the teacup story as we were told. I am disappointed to say the least