Water Pots

Do you sometimes feel useless? This familiar parable will help to put life's imperfections in perspective.

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 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 always arrived only half full.
The cracked pot felt sad that it could achieve only half of what it had been made to do. One day, it spoke to the water bearer. "For months, years, I've delivered only half my load. This crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to the master's house, and thus you don't get full value from your efforts."
The water bearer replied, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." As they went up the hill, the cracked pot noticed the sun warming many beautiful wildflowers.
"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 planted flower seeds on your side of the path. The water that leaked from you watered them every day as we walked back from the stream."

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

October 2009 "Signs of the Times"