The
cracked jar
There was once a man who carried water to his village
every day, in two large jars tied to the ends of a wooden pole, which he
balanced on his back.
One
of the jars was older than the other, and had some small cracks; every time the
man covered the distance to his house, half of the water was lost.
For
two years, the man made the same journey. The younger jar was always very proud
of its performance, safe in the knowledge that it was up to the mission it had
been made for, while the other jar was mortified with shame at only fulfilling
half of its allotted task, even though it knew that those cracks were the
result of many years hard work.
It
was so ashamed that one day, while the man got ready to fetch water from the
well, it decided to speak to him: - I
want to apologize, but because of the many years of service, you are only able
to deliver half of my load, and quench half of the thirst which awaits you at
your home.
The man smiled, and
said: - When we return,
observe carefully the path. And
so it did. And the jar noticed that, on its side, many flowers and plants grew. -
See how nature is more lovely on your side? - commented the man. - I always
knew you were cracked, and decided to make use of this fact. I planted flowers
and vegetables, and you have always watered them. I have picked many roses to
decorate my house with, I have fed my children with lettuce, cabbage and onions.
If you were not as you are, how could I have done that?
This is how we are to God. We are cracked and leaky jars. But God
takes us and uses us, flawed as we are, to further His plan.
