"THE CRACKED POT"

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.  
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its
own imperfections, 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 
for 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 the 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 and that 
"In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes".