Reflection

Pamela Scott DCS

 

We are all cracked Pots

 

I have just conducted a funeral of a person who had a very troubled life and decided that I would read ‘The Cracked Pot’.  I would like to share it as I think it is an important message for all of us. 

 

A water carrier had two large pots, 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 to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For two years this went on, with the carrier delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master’s house. 

 

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of itself, but the cracked pot was ashamed of its flaws. After two years of what it saw as bitter failure, it spoke to the water carrier one day by the stream. ‘I’m ashamed of myself, and I want to apologise.’ ‘Why?’ asked the carrier. ‘What are you ashamed of?’

 

‘For these past two years, I have delivered only half my load because this crack in my side leaks water all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work with less reward,’ the pot said. 

 

The water carrier felt sorry for the old cracked pot and said, ‘As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.’

 

As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot noticed the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path. But it felt bad because it still leaked out half its load, and SO AGAIN it apologised to the carrier, who immediately said to the pot, ‘Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path?

 

That’s because I have always known about your cracks. I sowed flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day when we walked back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to decorate my master’s table.

 

Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty in his home.’

 

Each of use has our own unique flaws. They are part of who we are. We are all cracked pots but seen through the eyes of those who love us they can be expressions of love and beauty. 

 

It is human nature that we all want to be perfect, never to make mistakes but unfortunately that will never be the case.  God is the only one who is perfect, as we read in Mark 10:18  Jesus said to a rich young man, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.