A Cracked Fable from an Island :-

A water bearer on an island had 2 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 the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full 2 years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots 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 imperfections and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. Afer 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I'm 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've watered them. For 2 years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being 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 and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them and encourage. All have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD - but we have the Saviour - he takes our minuses and turns them into plusses.

 

from Treasure Islands booklet produced by Captain Donald Woodhouse within the last 2 years - in 1948 he was admitted to the Office of Evangelist in the Church of England and on the 30th July 1948 commisioned as a Church Army Officer - currently Lay Minister of St Lawrence Church, Eastcote.