The Cracked Pot

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water. 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 could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

 
"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my cracked pot bloggy-friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

 

And say a prayer for all of your "Cracked Pot" friends - we need each other's encouragement and companionship to make it through the ups and downs of mommy-hood!

God Bless!

Heather :-)

One of those days...

Yesterday was one of those days.  One that just doesn't seem to happen all that often.  You know, the type where almost everything seems to fall into place.  The little children all keep busy and don't create any major disasters in the house.  The older children obediently and cheerfully complete their work with minimal bickering or complaining.  We made it to all of our various classes and lessons successfully and on time.  The house seemed to run as a well oiled machine.  Those kind of days just don't happen very often around here. 

As I fell asleep last night, I praised God for giving me the gift of that day.  As my alarm went off, I woke up with a smile on my face....really!  I needed that day to help me remember the JOY in this vocation of motherhood.  I realize that today may not run as smoothly as yesterday, but I will recollect the peace and happiness that we all felt yesterday and try to live in that moment rather than the frustration and irritation that typically creep into my heart as I struggle with our daily schedule not going according to my plan. 

God is so good!  I needed that day yesterday and He knew that more than I did.  I pray that God may bless you with "one of those days" when you need it most.

God Bless!

Heather :-)