This morning I wanted to share a wonderful parable that originates
from India and is retold by Mary Dessein. This story was sent in by
good morning reader Tricia. Thanks Tricia!

Good morning! 

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends
of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a
crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from
the stream to the  master's house, 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 in his
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 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 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 its load, and so
again it 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. In
God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.

Your Turn: 
What have you perceived as flaws in yourself that might actually be
a catapult to something greater?
 
Your Affirmation:
I value every part of myself.