♥ The Cracked Pot!

I think we all struggle with the thoughts that we can’t serve GOD because of some flaw in ourselves. But the Master has a plan and a purpose.      

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, 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 pot 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 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?”  The pot answered, “ I’ve been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes the 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 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 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 walked 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 each has a gift to give, to grace our Master. Accept yourself as you are. You are perfect for your life’s purpose.

Prayer:

Dear God, grant me the inner help to be faithful to JESUS, rejoicing to be by His side even when things appear to be less than what I desire. Free me from thinking that everything depends upon me and let me rely totally on your grace. Amen.