A story I once read reminds me at this time of God’s remarkable way of turning our flaws and imperfections into opportunities for His goodness.

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his master’s house it had leaked much of its water and was 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 master’s house.

After two years of what it thought to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologise 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.” 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 look closely at the path we have travelled each day.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path.

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, God will use our flaws to bring beauty and goodness to this world. In God’s great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don’t be afraid of your flaws – acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness, God’s grace is our strength. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Isaac Williams
Assistant Chaplain – Wyvern House