A Great Parable of Grace

From a Chinese "Daughter" in Singapore to Uncle Gary

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 one half pots of water in his master’s house.

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 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."

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 to grace His Father’s table. In God’s
great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister
together, and as God calls you to tasks He has appointed for you, don’t be
afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of
them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway. Go out
boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him
every one of God’s promises is a Yes."