The week before Lydia turned 1 year old, I went to one of those paint-your-own-pottery places to make a plate for her. I wanted her to have a special plate that she could eat her birthday cake on every year. I got this idea from one of my favorite authors, Robin Jones Gunn and her book, Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate which is based on 2 Timothy 2:20-21,
In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. (NLT)
The story is of Natalie, a little girl who visits Mrs. Rosey Posey because she is mad at her parents when they won’t let her go to the movies. Mrs. Rosey Posey tries to serve Natalie some chocolate covered cherries on a dirty paper plate but Natalie is disgusted! Then she gives her a fine china plate for the cherries. Mrs. Rosey Posey explains that her parents are protecting her and setting her apart to do good things for Jesus. They are helping to keep her pure. Just like she sets her fine china plate apart for special use.
Then she grabs a marker and writes 2 Timothy 2:20-21 on the back of the plate as a gift for Natalie!
I’ve read the true story of Natalie in Robin’s book, Gentle Passages. She says that many women have heard this story and given their daughters fine china plates–that were used on birthdays, important days and even on wedding days. What a GORGEOUS reminder of keeping yourself pure!
Every year, even at her birthday parties while friends are eating cupcakes off a napkin, we put Lydia cake on her “fine china plate”. Lydia’s plate has 3 flowers with character qualities written on them–traits we want to see growing in her life.
Asa has his own plate. {And I’m not as happy with how his turned out (don’t tell him!) because of the intricate side-detail I did…it dried in the middle and I had to go back and do it again! Ack!} Anywhoo. I just ordered a new ceramic paint pen to add a scripture to the front of his. Probably from 2 Chronicles 14 and his namesake.
I think the “fine china plate” idea is one of the most brilliant pictures (straight from God’s Word!) about how and why to keep ourselves pure and set apart for God. I’ve posted about this book (and this series) a few times because it’s an easy step to introduce young children to the importance of all kinds of purity–in mind, media, sexually, health, etc.
To begin our lessons on MAGNIFICENT PURITY, I encourage you to read Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate (it’s only $3.99!) and maybe head out to one of those paint-your-own-pottery places (without your kids) or even to Macy’s and pick out a special, set-apart plate for your children. Let purity be a standard in your home and these plates an awesome and constant reminder.
I love this idea too. I actually know the real Natalie from this book and her family. What an awesome family! And yes, she is really named Natalie and Mrs. Posey was actually Ms. Gunn, the author. This is a true story and Natalie really was mad at her parents because they wouldn’t let her go with her friends to a movie the didn’t think was appropriate. robin really did get a used plate from the garbage to use as an illustration and she did give Natalie the china plate which she still has. I was at a baby shower for Natalie when she had her first daughter. This story was retold at the shower and copies of Gentle Passages were given as hostess gifts. It was a very touching time and I have never forgotten that story. I will be implementing the china plate into my daughter’s life too.
HOW COOL! Thank you for sharing this story!
If you ever see Natalie again, tell her she’s kinda famous in our house. 🙂
a
I just LOVE this idea… although I don’t know Natalie in real life… but now I’d like too!:) I think this is such a beautiful illustration of how our children can be set apart for Christ! Thank-you so much for sharing!
Jessica
I love that book too. What a great idea. I just saw something similiar on pinterest, but with dollar store plates. We have a pottery place around here, maybe I’ll check the coupon book and see what we can do!
I just bought this book and am making it into a lesson for my Sunday school class- using dollar store plates and sharpies (if you bake it for 30 minutes at 300 degress, it becomes permanent!). Thank you for the idea.