I don't know about the rest of you, but my h's affairs have often made me feel flawed, not to mention the way I was talked to/treated growing up. I have never really felt good enough , not as a woman, wife person, Christian, Mother, sister, friend, . You get the picture. <P>I got this from a friend today, and it touched me so deeply I had to share it with all of you.<P> The Cracked Water Pot<BR> <BR> A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung<BR> on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.<BR> <BR> One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other<BR> pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water<BR> at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's<BR> house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.<BR> <BR> For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer<BR> delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master's<BR> house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its<BR> accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made.<BR> <BR> But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own<BR> imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish<BR> only half of what it had been made to do.<BR> <BR> After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter<BR> failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.<BR> <BR> "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."<BR> "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"<BR> "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver<BR> only half my load because this crack in my side causes<BR> water to leak out all the way back to your master's house.<BR> Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and<BR> you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.<BR> <BR> The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in<BR> his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's<BR> house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."<BR> <BR> Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took<BR> notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the<BR> side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end<BR> of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half<BR> its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.<BR> <BR> The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there<BR> were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on<BR> the other pot's side? That's because I have always known<BR> about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.<BR> <BR> I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every<BR> day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered<BR> them. For two years I have been able to pick<BR> these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table.<BR> Without you being just the way you are, he would not have<BR> this beauty to grace his house."<BR> <BR> Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws.<BR> We're all "cracked pots". But it's the cracks and flaws we<BR> each have that make our lives together so very interesting<BR> and rewarding. Remember to appreciate all<BR> the different people in your life!<BR> If it hadn't been for the crackpots in our lives, it would have been pretty boring and not<BR>nearly so interesting<P>------------------<BR>Deb<P>Hepatitis C, Please educate yourself ! <A HREF="http://www.hepatitis-central.com/<P>In" TARGET=_blank>http://www.hepatitis-central.com/<P>In</A> memory of a very dear friend <A HREF="http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/wally.adp" TARGET=_blank>http://fathom.org/teemingmillions/wally.adp</A>

((((Deb))))<P>Thank you for the beautiful story. You're a gem, my friend.

aaaawwwwwwwwww....Deb....<P>thanks...<P>I've been called a crackpot alot.<P>but never a cracked pot.<P><BR>bwwwwaaaaahahahahah......<P><BR>sorry....couldn't resist...<P>love ya.....<P><BR>Dylan

NICE ONE DEB THANKS GOOD LUCK & PRAYERS FRANK

Deb,<BR>Thanks for posting this. I'm feeling a bit cracked myself at this point.<BR><P>------------------<BR>Lor<BR>"Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious...think about these things." Phil 4:8

<P> Hi Deb,<P> If my WS H ever decides to read these posts. He would think I was you. He would also not appreciate being called a BOZO. <BR> <BR> Did you ever play the game, someone tries to quess were somthing is at, and your job was to tell them cold, warm, and when they got closer you would say warmer, and when they found it you would say Hot??<BR> <BR> So to my honey, If you ever come in looking for me, warm... <P> Did you ever play the game, were someone is <P>------------------<BR>Deb

Deb,<P> Sorry, I am easily distracted. I forgot to<BR>mention, I also loved the story..<P> Does that mean, I should start to scatter seeds outside??? Because I have turned into the biggest cry baby my family has ever seen. My Lord, I am 48 years old.<P> My sweet little grandson was here at the worst time of my life. He caught me. He asked "Grammi, Why are you crying?"<P> What could I say?? PAPA does not love me anymore. He has a new woman. I just told him I slammed my finger in the door. He said Does it hurt? I stopped crying then because my D and I started to laugh.<P>------------------<BR>Deb

<B>Deb</B><P>Loved your post lady. You are a rare and precious gem. Thanks for sharing. I am going to print this one up. You helped make my day even more wonderful. Can't wait to share this one with my hubby.<P>Hugs honey,<P>------------------<BR><B>God bless you and all of us. We are all going to make it, all of us! With God on our side we can't lose! What God has joined together let no man put asunder. <P>Samantha</B><p>[This message has been edited by A blessed Samantha (edited February 21, 2001).]

Deb,<P>Thank you for the touching story it helped me tons today. I feel like the cracked pot alot right now!!