“When I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12 : 10

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. While the other pot was perfect and delivered a full container of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the masters 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 of water to his masters house.

Of course, the perfect pot achieved the end for which it was designed. But the poor, cracked pot was only able to accomplish half of what it had been designed to do.

After two years of what was perceived to be a bitter failure of the cracked pot to deliver a full container of water, a passer-by said to the water bearer: “Are you not embarrassed to be carrying this cracked pot back and forth, half full.”

“Why should I be embarrassed?” replied the water bearer.

Then, feeling sorry for the passer-by, the water bearer continued, with compassion for his lack of understanding: “As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the passer-by took notice of the sun warming the beautiful flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered him up.

The water bearer said to him: “Did you notice that there were flowers only on one side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side?”

The passer-by answered: “Yes, indeed. I am very puzzled by this.”

The water bearer added: “That’s because I have always known about the cracked pot’s flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on the side of the path where the cracked pot was carried, and every day while we walked back from the stream, the cracked pot watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without the cracked pot being just the way it was, I would not have this beauty to grace my Master’s house.”

The passer-by, overcome by this new revelation, was full of joy at the achievement of the cracked pot.

Each of us has our own unique flaws, but that doesn’t mean they cannot be used to achieve something special. We re all cracked pots. No one is perfect. If we allow the Lord to use our flaws, we will produce much good in our Father’s Kingdom.

In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don’t be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of great things happening.

Know that in your weakness you will find your strength.