Note: I used the pot and potter as metaphors to show the relationship between God (potter) and man (pot)
"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Genesis 2:7, KJV
However, the potter sees otherwise. He sees not just a lump of clay. He sees a work of art...He envisions something out of that lump of dirt that can be useful for his purpose. And so he makes a plan and puts it into action.
"But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." Isaiah 64:8, KJV
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well" Psalm 139:14
After he creates the design of the clay, he puts it out of the sun to be dried so that it will harden. And when it has hardened, it will now be ready to be used for its purpose.
“…even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.” 2nd Corinthians 4:16-17
The clay pot may be shattered...but the potter can still make the clay pot whole again. He will collect the broken pieces and form it again into a lump of clay...
...and then mold and form it into the purpose he originally intended it to be...dries it out in the sun and then when it is hardened enough the clay pot will now be used for the purpose it was created.
“Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7
"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet on a rock, and established my goings" Psalm 40:2
“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver bowls, but also those of wood and earthenware, some for special use, some for ordinary. So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21 
