Today I was speaking with someone about how every person is unique and different. Each having their own strengths and weaknesses. And how important it is to embrace each person for who they are in Christ.
In India there is a story told about a water bearer and his pots. I would like to share this with you today that you might get a picture in your mind of how someones weaknesses can offer beauty to your world, if you will allow it.
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his shoulders. 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 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 pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was perfect for the task for which it was made, and 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. "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 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 bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without your being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace my house.
Each of us have our own flaws, we are all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws that make our lives together interesting and rewarding. You have to take people for what they are, and look for the good in them. Not one of us are perfect outside of the blood of Jesus. And in our strengths we are to bear the others weakness.
- We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ~Romans 15:1
- Let's remember to appreciate all the different people in our life.
- To embrace the cracked pots.
- Oh ... and don't forget ... your weaknesses embraced by others will bring beauty to their lives as well.
