Are You a Cracked Pot?

This week I would like to share with you a parable someone shared with me many years ago.  I do not know the origin or the author.  The meaning is so simple and rich I am sure it will become one of your favorite stories to share with others.  We all know we are not perfect and that we have flaws and imperfections yet we can all contribute good to others and the world we live in.  I hope you enjoy!

Parable of the Cracked Pot

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a
pole which he carried across his neck.

One pot 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 proud of its accomplishments, perfect 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 2 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, because this crack in my side causes water to
leak out all the way back to your house.”

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. Every day while we walk back you have watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these
beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way
you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But it’s
 the cracks, flaws, and imperfections we each have that make our lives together so very 
interesting and rewarding. Practice taking each person for who 
they are and look for the good in them.