So You Think You’re A Crackpot!…Good!

Did you know that during the past 4,000 years of civilized history, the Chinese have generated numerous proverbs for almost any situation in life.  And one of these proverbs have brought me to my blog post for this week.

Just the other day, while searching my computer files, I ran across an old ‘saved’ file of prose and poetry.  In it I discovered a Chinese proverb about two cracked clay pots that I thought you might like to hear.  Why?  Because subliminally, the conversation message therein had ‘God’ written all over it!

Honestly, I do not know whether its author, Confucius or another ancient sage mystic was inspired by the Holy Spirit when he was meditating and eventually wrote down his proverbial thoughts, but the message in his wisdom of intent is certainly straight from the mind and wisdom of God.

So, included below is some good old Chinese wisdom.  Take a look for yourself and you be the judge to weather or not you see the hand of God.

  An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, 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 walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For 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.”

Moral of the story…

Each of us has their 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 ‘crackpot’ friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path.

My final word of Chinese wisdom gleaned from my files: “A man’s faults all conform to his type of mind. Observe his faults and you may know his virtues.”

Do yourself a great big favor and take the time to send this message to all your friends who have a cracked side.  (And only God knows just how many we are!!!)

Even the color of flowers have meanings, especially Tulips

Scripture Lesson:  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!