I have been thinking about a parable. The Parable of the Cracked Pot. The parable helps me to embrace the beauty of my flaws.
In the event that you have a difficulty embracing the beauty of your flaws, I would invite you to read the Parable of the Cracked Pot.
The Cracked Pot
“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 a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pot’s full of water in 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 the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s 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, 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.”
My Encouragement to You as I need to Remember
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws and cracks to grace His Fathers table.
In God’s great economy, nothing goes to waste.
My encouragement to you my friend is — as I need to encourage myself — do not be afraid of your flaws.
Embrace the Beauty of Your Flaws
Embrace what makes you, uniquely you, and embrace your flaws. Surrender those flaws to the master (a loving God) and He will use them. He will use them to be a blessing to the people who He brings into your life. He will use our cracks to water the seeds that He is planting.
In so doing, He will use the beauty of our flaws.
You have my permission to share my articles and or video presentations with anyone you believe could benefit, however, I maintain ownership of the intellectual property AND my articles, video presentations and eBooks are not to be considered OPEN SOURCE. Please also provide a link back to Second Chance to Live. In the event that you have questions, please send those questions to me. All questions are good questions. I look forward to hearing from you. More Information: Copyright 2007 –2019
Leave a Reply