A water bearer
in India had two large pots, which he hung one on each end of a pole across his
shoulders. One of the cruses had a crack in it while the other one was perfect.
It was a long walk from the stream to the master’s house, but this one never
failed to deliver a full portion. On the other hand, the cracked container would
arrive sadly depleted. Of course the perfect vessel was proud of his accomplishments,
and the poor, cracked container felt ashamed and miserable that it could do
only half of what it was made to do.
After two years
of perceiving he was a bitter failure,
the damaged crock spoke to the water deliverer
one day by the watercourse. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologise to
you.”
“Why,” asked
the surprized water carrier. “What are you ashamed of?”
“I have been able, for these last two year to
deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak
out all the way to your boss’s house, “ he meekly admitted, “Because of my flaws
you have to do so much work but don’t get full value for your efforts.”
The water
bearer felt sorry for the old, fractured vessel, so compassionately told him, “As
we return to the house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the
path.”
Indeed as they
went up the hill, the humble, fractured jug took notice of the sun warming `the
beautiful wild flowers next to the path, and this cheered him some. But at the
end of the trail it had still dripped so much water that it once again
apologised.
“Did you not
notice there were flowers only on your side of the path?” the porter replied. “That
is because I have always known about your flaw and it was useful to me. I
planted flowers on your side of the track and every day while I was climbing
back from the brook you would be unconsciously watering those lovely blossoms.
Because of what you perceived as a weakness, I had been able to gather many
bouquets of beautiful flowers to decorate my lord’s table. Without you being
just the way you are, he would not have such loveliness to grace his home.”
You and I also
have unique flaws. We are all just a
bunch of cracked pots. But In God’s
great economy nothing is lost. The Lord can make use of our imperfections. As
the Heavenly father calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don’t be
afraid of your shortcomings. Allow Him to take advantage of them and you, too,
can bring beauty along the road of Life. Go out boldly knowing that in our
weakness we find His strength.
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