A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The other pot had a crack in it, and by the time the water bearer reached his master's house, it had leaked much of its water and was 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 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 one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"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 of 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 old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot 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 your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about 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 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 this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
From India, Madras
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8For a full two years, this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full 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 one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."
"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 of 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 old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot 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 your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about 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 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 this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
From India, Madras
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Your story is quite true. One weakness exists only because strength is present. One should always think that only if strength is there, then weakness can occur. We need to identify the way that will give us the knowledge of that strength.
I read a similar story a few days back (of course on citehr). It inspired me to think in the way explained by the narrator. So I tried, and it really worked for me. I used to think I had a bad habit of sleeping late. Due to this thinking, I was not able to concentrate on my studies. Please read again, I said DUE TO THINKING! Yes! Though it is out of the boundary of the subject, I firmly believe our thinking only makes what we are. So I started to study during the night. It was a little troublesome initially, but as time passed, I gained some confidence. And you won't believe it, I actually started loving the fact that I couldn't sleep at night. Earlier, I used to feel night should never come, and now I even wait for it.
I analyzed the happenings after a few days. I felt the story really helped me. But wait, that was not all. I was a little immature in those days. I did not know it was possible to study at night, and so I never even thought of doing it. I tried too hard to study during the day only. So after reading the story, innocently, I felt I should do something about it AND I DID! This is what is required. I DID IT. Sometimes being mature prevents us from changing our life positively. I really wonder if I had not taken this as seriously as I did, I would have never enjoyed my life. So guys, do think about your weaknesses and look towards them positively after reading this post.
Also, I appeal to all the members of this site to share their experiences. Who knows, the same might be the present of someone which was your past. They can overcome and tackle the situation just as you did. And you will definitely be blessed by them!
Regards,
Sagar G.
From India, Mumbai
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I read a similar story a few days back (of course on citehr). It inspired me to think in the way explained by the narrator. So I tried, and it really worked for me. I used to think I had a bad habit of sleeping late. Due to this thinking, I was not able to concentrate on my studies. Please read again, I said DUE TO THINKING! Yes! Though it is out of the boundary of the subject, I firmly believe our thinking only makes what we are. So I started to study during the night. It was a little troublesome initially, but as time passed, I gained some confidence. And you won't believe it, I actually started loving the fact that I couldn't sleep at night. Earlier, I used to feel night should never come, and now I even wait for it.
I analyzed the happenings after a few days. I felt the story really helped me. But wait, that was not all. I was a little immature in those days. I did not know it was possible to study at night, and so I never even thought of doing it. I tried too hard to study during the day only. So after reading the story, innocently, I felt I should do something about it AND I DID! This is what is required. I DID IT. Sometimes being mature prevents us from changing our life positively. I really wonder if I had not taken this as seriously as I did, I would have never enjoyed my life. So guys, do think about your weaknesses and look towards them positively after reading this post.
Also, I appeal to all the members of this site to share their experiences. Who knows, the same might be the present of someone which was your past. They can overcome and tackle the situation just as you did. And you will definitely be blessed by them!
Regards,
Sagar G.
From India, Mumbai
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
I liked your spirit. Just reading inspiring stories doesn't make any sense unless we try to put into action the essence of our inspiration, and that is what you have done. Great!!!!
Thanks,
Malini P
Understanding Strength and Weakness
Your story is quite true. One weakness exists only because strength is there. One should always think that only if strength is present, then weakness can occur. We need to identify the way that will give us the knowledge of that strength.
I read a similar story a few days back (of course on citehr). It inspired me to think in the way explained by the narrator. So I tried, and it really worked for me. I used to think I had a bad habit of sleeping late. Due to this thinking, I was not able to concentrate on studies. Please read again, I said DUE TO THINKING! Yes! Though it is out of the boundary of the subject, I firmly believe our thinking only makes what we are. So I started to study during the night. It was a little troublesome initially. But as time passed, I gained some confidence. And you won't believe it, I actually started loving the fact that I'm not able to sleep at night. Earlier I used to feel night should never come, and even now I wait for it.
I analyzed the happenings after a few days. I felt the story really helped me. But wait, that was not all. I was a little immature in those days. I did not know it was possible to study at night, and so never even thought of doing it. I tried too hard to study during the day only. So after reading the story, innocently, I felt I should do something about it AND I DID! This is what is required. I DID IT. Sometimes being mature prevents us from changing our life positively. I really wonder, had I not taken this as seriously as I did, I would have never enjoyed my life. So guys, do think about your weaknesses and look towards them positively after reading this post.
Sharing Experiences
Also, I appeal to all the members of this site to share their experiences. Who knows, the same might be the present of someone which was your past. They can overcome and tackle the situation just as you did. And you will definitely be blessed by them!
Regards,
Sagar G.
From India, Madras
Acknowledge(0)Amend(0)
Thanks,
Malini P
Understanding Strength and Weakness
Your story is quite true. One weakness exists only because strength is there. One should always think that only if strength is present, then weakness can occur. We need to identify the way that will give us the knowledge of that strength.
I read a similar story a few days back (of course on citehr). It inspired me to think in the way explained by the narrator. So I tried, and it really worked for me. I used to think I had a bad habit of sleeping late. Due to this thinking, I was not able to concentrate on studies. Please read again, I said DUE TO THINKING! Yes! Though it is out of the boundary of the subject, I firmly believe our thinking only makes what we are. So I started to study during the night. It was a little troublesome initially. But as time passed, I gained some confidence. And you won't believe it, I actually started loving the fact that I'm not able to sleep at night. Earlier I used to feel night should never come, and even now I wait for it.
I analyzed the happenings after a few days. I felt the story really helped me. But wait, that was not all. I was a little immature in those days. I did not know it was possible to study at night, and so never even thought of doing it. I tried too hard to study during the day only. So after reading the story, innocently, I felt I should do something about it AND I DID! This is what is required. I DID IT. Sometimes being mature prevents us from changing our life positively. I really wonder, had I not taken this as seriously as I did, I would have never enjoyed my life. So guys, do think about your weaknesses and look towards them positively after reading this post.
Sharing Experiences
Also, I appeal to all the members of this site to share their experiences. Who knows, the same might be the present of someone which was your past. They can overcome and tackle the situation just as you did. And you will definitely be blessed by them!
Regards,
Sagar G.
From India, Madras
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