This went on daily for two years with the bearer delivering only one and one-half pot of water to his master's house.

Of course the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. 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 two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water-bearer. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"For the past two years," the pot said, "I have been able to deliver only half my load because his crack allows water to leak out as we travel. You don't get the full value for your efforts."

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 sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path. This cheered it some, but at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the perfect pot's side? That's because I have always known of 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've 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 the beauty to grace his house."

Each of us has our unique flaws. We're all cracked pots! But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table.