The Cracked Pot
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, 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 happened daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master's house.
The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it was made to do.
After two years of perceived failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able 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 flaw, you do not get full value from your efforts.”
The water bearer smiled and said, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back, you have 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 grace and beauty.”
Moral:
God uses our imperfections for His glory. What you see as a weakness may be the very thing God uses to bless others. Don't be ashamed of your cracks – they let His grace flow through.
Bible Reference:
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 happened daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master's house.
The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it was made to do.
After two years of perceived failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able 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 flaw, you do not get full value from your efforts.”
The water bearer smiled and said, “Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back, you have 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 grace and beauty.”
Moral:
God uses our imperfections for His glory. What you see as a weakness may be the very thing God uses to bless others. Don't be ashamed of your cracks – they let His grace flow through.
Bible Reference: