Reflection
The Cracked Pot (Author unknown)
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots was carefully made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water-bearer reached his master's house it had leaked much of its water and was only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily with the bearer only delivering one and a half pots full to his master's house. Of course the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was only able to accomplish half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke one day to the water bearer by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself and want to apologise 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 his 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 of its load, and so again the pot apologised to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were only flowers 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've 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".
We each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But, if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.