The Cracked Pot

Greetings from the SoupMan!

I'd like to share with you all the Chinese Fable 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've 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."

So what's the SoupMan's take on this fable? Well to me it sounds a lot like Jesus. HE knows we are all flawed in some way---by the way put me at the top of that flawed list. But even though we are flawed HE still loves us unconditionally. Then HE proceeds to find a way to use our flaws for the greater good. Just like the 'Cracked Pot' helping flowers to bloom, the Lord knows just how to best turn our flaws into blessings.

So the next time you look in the mirror and see your own flaws---just smile and be at peace, because God will surely find a way to make the flowers bloom in your own life. God is pretty amazing, don't you think!!!

May the Lord Bless and Keep You.

Signed, David Timothy, a.k.a. The SoupMan

Executive Director---SoupMobile Inc.