The Cracked Pot

A water-bearer had two large pots. Each hung on opposite ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other was perfect. The latter always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house. The cracked pot arrived only half-full. Every day for a full two years, the water-bearer delivered only one and a half pots of water. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, because it fulfilled magnificently the purpose for which it had been made. But the cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection, miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After the second year of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the unhappy pot spoke to the water-bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you" the pot said. "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. Because of my flaws, you have to do all this work and you don’t get full value from your efforts," 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 notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, bright in the sun’s glow, and the sight cheered it up a bit. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad that it had leaked out half of its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, not on the other pot’s side? I have always known about your flaw, and I have taken advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day, as we have walked back from the stream, you have 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 had this beauty to grace his house."

Every contribution, no matter how small, is counted for the master’s good.


Sometimes I feel like the cracked pot (or a crack pot!) I look at the sins in my life and I wonder why is it taking so long? I know God saved me and is in the process of transforming me but why is it taking so long? Why do I still see these cracks in my character and personality? Wouldn't it have been easier if the work of sanctification was completed at the time of conversion? Then I can truly live as one who has been redeemed by God, with the redeemed people of God to show forth God's redemption in creation. Instead now I see how I am so predisposed to sin that I cannot trust myself, not even for one moment. While I long to love and serve others in the body of Christ and the community at large, sin trips me up and relationships are strained, if not kept at a distance. I dare not show people who I really am, and am not sure I can take it, if people showed me who they really were. Longing to be with God and draw close to Him, my sins condemn me and often leads me to hide from Him. O wretched soul I am.

I am weak but Thou art strong. Be my strength in my every weakness. I pray You will work something beautiful out of my brokenness.