To All Crack Pots!
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, and 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 two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to 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 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. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"
"I 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 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 pot said.
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 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 it apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer then said, "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, 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."
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Deb, its the leak in the 'cracked pot' that God uses for the development of beauty. The flowers that the leak watered each day sprung up so beautiful and plentiful and adorned the master's table is the blessing in the parable. God takes the faults in all of us and using them to share love and beauty to those we're around. He just ask for our Faith!!
Hey Sista's - you two of all know how I am an "eater" of words. And Glo you gave me another good and powerful word to use in future comments and that word is "leak." For we all are/and have "leaks" and that is the beautiful of it all...[our imperfections....they can make you are break you...you decide.] The leaks wake us up to see what we are missing/lacking...and the "leaks" allow us to "make corrections" in order to function in this world. I have many leaks...but I'm learning from them. But the two of you have told us of some of your "leaks" and I for one am learning from you two. You help me "correct" my LEAKS...and for that I am GRATEFUL! So Carolyn, I like the way you said...'we younger people allow you to hang around us'...but it is "us" younger people who are learning from the "Sassy" older people...like you.
And Glo...thanks for the "key-less door" [open door], and for all of the Kingdom spill forth that you spread all over this campus. You are noticed and you are respected, because you continue to spread...with your efforts..to prove to us that being a Crack Pot..is a blessing in spite of it's 'LEAK.' {I love my new word...hahaha}
Come in Lil' Sis Deb, And My BFF Carolyn.... It truly makes my day when I see my efforts to advance the Kingdom spill forth..... I'm so happy that my" Crack Pot" proved to be a blessing in spite of it's leak, that you can easily see the moral to this"Gem" God can use what we see as useless, to create something beautiful.. Beautiful flowers from a Cracked Pot~~~~
Love you!! PS: Deb you are always welcome to my room, remember, "the door is always unlocked."
Thanks Deb, you're always first to give a big lift, pat on the back, big hug and smile. Oh, and a kick in the pants when needed. Its such a joy to be here and enjoy the love of fellow BULLDOGS. Im the BLESSED one. to be allowed to hang around younger people and be a part of their world, how they see and experience it is wonderful. I find you all JOY and just love you to death!
Knock...knock..."this is Deb...may I come into your rooms?" [I guess I'm already in...lol]
Hey Big Sista's- Glo & Carolyn: Carolyn, good come back for this...and for this "Season." Your warmth is "burning" me up Carolyn...in a good way. I want to stay on this "warming path" that you and many others have set. The warmth that you two give off is like a glowing warmth of: love, security, caring, funniest, obedience, follow through, camaraderie, longtime friendships, contestants and creators of a movement...and the "beat" goes on.
Your glasses are "crystal" clear...so your light does shine brightly! May you two continue to have good health and lasting love for yourselves and others that you come in contact with.
Still enjoy coming back and reading this. Im trying to be a cracked pot everyday. Hopefully my light is shining through and folk are in its warming path.