Hi All... I
hope this issue finds you well. I hope you and yours have
a enjoyable summertime. Don't forget to check out our Fireworks
Spectacular as an added bonus to our readers this
month.
We had a
great time at Mackinac Island, and the wedding of our son
Brad to his bride Valerie. It was a very joyous occassion,
and I hope they have many happy years together.
The
Dan McCarty Golf Classic was held this past month. It was
another successful event. Although I am still recovering
from knee surgery, and wasn't able to participate, just
being around friends and thinking of DJ always makes me
happy. From talking to the participants, it seemed like
everyone had a good time.
Our
second 72 hour film project is scheduled for August 17-19.
This event is a 'make up' as I postponed the event in
April due to my injury, but if it is half as much fun as
our first one back in October, it will turn out great.
Please think about this, and enter a 4 minute movie for
the event. Info is on our 72
Hour webpage.
As I continue
dealing with my MS, and the recent injury, I realize more and more
that I have to work with my flaws, and find positives in
everything. Sometimes it is easy to get down on myself, but I
still feel blessed that I have my wife, three sons, two daughters,
and 2 grandkids (with another on the way). My final thought I
leave you with is a story that shows even the flaws can turn into
strengths. Enjoy...
THE CRACKED POT
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end 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 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, 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. 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. So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws.
Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway.
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."
Here's to all the cracked pots out
there (and the crackpots too). Cheers
