Crackpot Friends
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, 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 a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer
delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course,
the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect 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 2 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. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this
crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your 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 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 I planted flower seeds
on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered 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 flaws. We're all cracked pots.
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. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall
not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in !
your life!
Blessings to all my crackpot friends.
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, 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 a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer
delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house. Of course,
the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect 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 2 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. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this
crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your 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 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 I planted flower seeds
on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered 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 flaws. We're all cracked pots.
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. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall
not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in !
your life!
Blessings to all my crackpot friends.
The Shoes
My alarm went off ~ It was Sunday again. I was sleepy and tired, It was my one day to sleep in. But the guilt I would feel The rest of the day Would have been too much, So I'd go. I'd pray. I showered and shaved, I adjusted my suit and tie, I got there and sat In a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer Before I closed my eyes, I saw the shoe of the man next to me Was touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side, I thought, "Why must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine, But it didn't bother him much. A prayer began: "Our Father" someone said, I thought, "This man with the shoes has no pride. They're dusty, worn, scratched end to end, Even worse, there are holes on the side!" "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said a quiet "Amen." I tried to focus on the prayer, But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended And the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud, Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters, His hands were raised high, The Lord could surely hear The shoe man's voice from the sky. It was time for the offering And what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached Into his pockets so deep. I tried to see what was pulled out, What the shoe man put in, Then I heard a soft "clink" as when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me To tears, and that's no lie It was the same for the shoe man, For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service, As is the custom here, We must greet new visitors And show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow And wanted to meet shoe man So after the closing prayer, I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark, And his hair was truly a mess But I thanked him for coming, For being our guest. He said, "My names' Charlie, I'm glad to meet you, my friend." There were tears in his eyes But he had a large, wide grin "Let me explain," he said Wiping tears from his eyes. "I've been coming here for months, And you're the first to say 'Hi.'" "I know that my appearance "Is not like all the rest, "But I really do try "To always look my best." "I always clean and polish my shoes "Before my very long walk "But by the time I get here, "They're dirty and dusty, like chalk." My heart filled with pain and I swallowed to hide my tears As he continued to apologize For daring to sit so near. He said, "When I get here, "I know I must look a sight. "But I thought if I could touch you, "Then maybe our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment Knowing whatever was said Would pale in comparison. I spoke from my heart, not my head "Oh, you've touched me," I said, "And taught me, in part, "That the best of any man "Is what is found in his heart." The rest, I thought, This shoe man will never know. . . Like just how thankful I really am That his dirty old shoe touched my soul... ~ Author Unknown |
Keep your Fork!
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. What's that?" the pastor replied. "This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I am puzzled by the request," said the pastor. The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: ' Keep your fork the best is yet to come,' The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. However, he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of Heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over, he smiled. During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. Therefore, the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Happy Friendship week everybody, and keep your fork, the best IS yet to come. ~Author Unknown Psalm 23
This an eye opener; some probably never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way, even though they say it over and over again. The Lord is my Shepherd - That's Relationship! I shall not want - That's Supply! He maketh me to lie down in green pastures- That's Rest! He leadeth me beside the still waters - That's Refreshment! He restoreth my soul - That's Healing! He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness - That's Guidance! For His name sake - That's Purpose! Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That's Testing! I will fear no evil - That's Protection! For Thou art with me - That's Faithfulness! Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That's Discipline! Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies - That's Hope! Thou annointest my head with oil - That's Consecration! My cup runneth over - That's Abundance! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life - That's Blessing! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That's Security! Forever - That's Eternity! Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. Send this to the people you are crazy about. What is most valuable, is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives! ~Author Unknown |