M.O.M.S.

Last night, I attended the first meeting of M.O.M.S. - Ministry of Mothers Sharing. This group is offered through the church that Carey and I attend. I was excited to have the opportunity to meet other mothers in my community and to share my faith with other moms.

We are a small group (five people), but it was very welcoming. While there is a journal that is used to guide meetings, Lyn (our facilitator) has said that we will see where God leads us in our meetings, rather than trying to plow through questions like we're taking an exam.

One of our first meditations was entitled "The Cracked Pot." I thought this was an interesting story that confirms the fact that we, as humans, don't always know what God has planned for us. But, instead of feeling inadequate and flawed, we should realize that God has reasons for everything and to trust in His judgment and wisdom.

The Cracked Pot

A water Bearer in India had two large pots. Each hung on either end of a pole which he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect. The Perfect Pot always delivered a full portion of water at the end of a long walk from the stream to the master's house, while 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 full of water to the master's house. Of course, the Perfect Pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. 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 the 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 wild flowers 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 of 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 the 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 flaws. We are all Cracked Pots. But if we will allow it, our flaws are used to grace life's table. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty.


So, over the next week, until our next meeting, I will be examining my own "cracks" and working to see how God is using my imperfections to create things of beauty and grace in my life and my world.