Are You a Cracked Pot?
A water bearer in India had two large pots—each hung on opposite ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it. The other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of the water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, but 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 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, the cracked pot 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 flaw, 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 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 the path but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw and took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path and every day while we walked 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, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father’s table. In God’s great economy, nothing goes to waste. Go out boldly knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes." - Author Unknown

It’s November and in case you haven’t noticed – it is getting colder. Most of the leaves have fallen off the trees and January’s bitter sub zero winds blowing the snow across the road are just around the corner. But November does offer some warmth and promise. With all due respect to Veteran’s Day, November brings to mind Thanksgiving Day. I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. Why? Let me explain.
It has been said, “the key to happiness is a heart of thanksgiving” and I believe this is a profound truth. But why is this so? Great insight into understanding this truth is given by the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4-7 when he says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (NLT) Paul encourages us to not worry. Instead he says we should bring everything to God in prayer with a heart of thanksgiving. The result of this is an inner peace that is beyond our ability to comprehend.
Why does what Paul says in these verses work in us? I think it is because a thankful heart leads to a changed perspective on life. We humans basically have two choices: (1) look at our lives from the point of view of what we are lacking. In other words, dwell on the things that are depriving us of true happiness, or (2) look at our lives with a heart of thanksgiving, thanking God for all the blessings He has bestowed on us. Choosing to be thankful breeds an attitude of appreciation which changes our entire outlook on life and draws us closer to God.
Thanksgiving Day gives all of us an opportunity to pause, reflect and express to God what we are thankful for. But God doesn’t want us to stop there. Make this and every day of your life from this point on an opportunity to practice having a heart of thanksgiving for all God has blessed you with. Make a conscious choice to be thankful. Resist the pressure from our culture and media to always be looking at what you are lacking. It’s just an illusion anyway. Numerous personal stories and studies show that those who have the most things are among the most miserable. If this is true, then why do we continue to pursue this false illusion of happiness? True happiness comes only from a heart of thanksgiving towards God. God wants to challenge us: Start living today with a heart of thanksgiving and see what a difference it makes!