The Water Bearer.
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 perfectly made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his masterâs house it had leaked much of itâs water and was only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his masterâs 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 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. âI am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.â âWhy?â asked the bearer. âWhat are you ashamed of?â âI 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 masterâs house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you donât get full value from your efforts,â the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, âAs we return to the masterâs house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.â
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the 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 its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, âDid you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other potâs side? Thatâs 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, youâve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masterâs table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.â
Each of us has our own unique flaws. Weâre all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table. In Godâs great economy, nothing goes to waste. Donât 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.
Author Unknown.
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Heard this before, but lovely to read again – thank you shadow