The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India carried two large pots suspended from the ends of a pole that he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full load of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. But the other pot was cracked and arrived only half full.
The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, but the cracked pot felt sad that it could achieve only half of what it had been made to do. one day, after two years of bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer. “I am ashamed of myself,” it said, “and I want to apologize.”
“Why?” asked the water bearer.
“For the past two years, I’ve delivered 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 don’t get full value from your efforts.”
But the water bearer replied, “As we return to the master’s house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”
Sure enough as they went up the hill, the cracked pot noticed the sun warming many beautiful wild flowers.
“Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path?” the water bearer asked. “That’s because I’ve always known about your flaw and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. You watered them everyday as we walked back from the stream. For the past two years I’ve used those flowers to decorate the master’s table. If you weren’t just the way you are, he would not have had this beauty to grace his house.”

We’re all cracked pots, but nothing goes to waste in God’s great economy. He uses our flaws to grace the universe. So don’t be afraid of your flaws, for in your weakness you will find strength.

Sometimes we tend to focus on our weaknesses and flaws, and we become sad about them that we think we are no good. We forget that God has created each invidual unique and there’s a reason behind it. We do not have to strive to be like others whom we think are perfect, because perfection cannot be determined by how good a person looks, how much he has, what he can do, or what he can offer to others. Sometimes perfection is simply being contented with the way that we are, acknowledging our good points, and making use of our own talents and abilities to be able to make the world a better place. Sharing and giving even if you do not have much, is more than those who give just because they are proud of having too much and want to make themselves look good to others.