> > Cracked Pots > > A water bearer in India > had two large pots, > each hung on each end of a pole > which he carried across his neck. > > One of the pots had a crack in it, > and while the other pot was perfect > and always delivered a full portion of water > at the end of the long walk > from the stream to the master's house, > the cracked pot arrived only half full. > > For a full two years this went on daily, > with the bearer delivering only > one and a half pots full of water > in his master's house. > > Of course, the perfect pot > was proud of its accomplishments, > perfect to the end for which it was made. > But the poor cracked pot > was ashamed of its own imperfection, > and miserable that it was able to accomplish > only half of what it had been made to do. > > After two years of what it > perceived to be a bitter failure, > it spoke to the water bearer > one day by the stream. > "I am ashamed of myself, > and I want to apologize to you." > "Why?" asked the bearer. > "What are you ashamed of?" > > "I have been able, for these past two years, > to deliver only half my load > because this crack in my side > causes water to leak out > all the way back to your master's house. > Because of my flaws, you have to do > all of this work, and you don't > get full value from your efforts," the pot said. > > The water bearer felt sorry > for the old cracked pot, > and in his compassion, he said, > "As we return to the master's house, > I want you to notice > the beautiful flowers along the path." > > Indeed, as they went up the hill, > the old cracked pot took notice of > the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers > on the side of the path, > and this cheered it some. > But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad > because it had leaked out half its load, > and so again it apologized to the bearer > for its failure. > > The bearer said to the pot, > "Did you notice that there were flowers > only on your side of your path, > but not on the other pot's side? > That's because I > have always known about your flaw, > and I took advantage of it. > > I planted flower seeds > on your side of the path, > and every day while we walk back > from the stream, you've watered them. > For two years I have been able > to pick these beautiful flowers > to decorate my master's table. > Without you being just the way you are, > he would not have this beauty > to grace his house." > > Each of us has our own unique flaws. > We're all cracked pots. > But if we will allow it, > the Lord will use our flaws > to grace His Father's table. > In God's great economy, > nothing goes to waste. > > So as we seek ways to minister together, > and as God calls you to the tasks > He has appointed for you, > don't be afraid of your flaws. > Acknowledge them, > and allow Him to take advantage of them, > and you, too, can be the cause > of beauty in His pathway. > > Go out boldly, knowing that > in our weakness we find His strength > > -- >
