~ Alexis De Tocqueville
There is a story told of an old and weathered water bearer who had hung two large pots on each end of a long pole that he carried across his neck to deliver water each day.
One pot had a fairly large crack and only delivered a small portion of water with each daily trip – about half a pot. The other was perfect and always delivered a full portion.
For two years the bearer only delivered one and a half pots of water to his house each day.
The perfect pot felt it had reason to brag in its accomplishments in doing exactly what it was made to do.
The poor cracked pot felt ashamed that it was only able to accomplish half of what it had been created to do.
After two years of feeling ashamed, the cracked pot mustered up the courage to talk to the water bearer. He said, “I am ashamed of myself. Because of this crack in my side I cause water to leak out all the way back to your house.”
The water bearer said in response to the pot, "Yes, but did you notice the flowers all the way down the side of your path? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and one day I planted flower seeds all along the side of your path. Every day when we walk back you’ve watered them.
And now for two years you have provided beautiful flowers that I have been able to pick and decorate my table with.”
He said, “Without you being just the way you are, I wouldn’t have this beauty along this path or to grace my house.”
Each of us is uniquely and inerrantly made. We have beendesigned with a specific purpose in mind. Each freckle is in the right place. Each eye the right color. Each bit of knowledge learned at just the right time.
Have you ever thought what life would be like if each of us were good at exactly the same thing?
Have you ever thought of what our community would be like if we all thought the same? If we all agreed on the same topics? If we all shopped the same? Walmart would be nuts!
I am personally thankful we are all unique! Each of us has been given and blessed with a unique set of gifts and talents. Together we can do extraordinary things for our community. Through our diversity, we each see obstacles and opportunities through different looking glasses. Each bringing an interesting perspective to our future and where we want to go as a community.
I hope that you are embracing the diversity of your community, those you work with, those in your small groups, and the ones you interact with regularly. I hope you are blessed by their flaws and perhaps the flaws of others help you use your talents in new and interesting ways. I am excited for what our future holds.
Ken Blanchard once said “None of us is as smart as all of us.” I know that I am personally better because of those I surround myself with, flaws and all. I hope they feel the same. Surround yourself with good people. Look past their flaws and cling to their strengths and how they strengthen you. I know that if you do, our community will be that much better off because of it!
* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, July 6, 2014 issue of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.
For two years the bearer only delivered one and a half pots of water to his house each day.
The perfect pot felt it had reason to brag in its accomplishments in doing exactly what it was made to do.
The poor cracked pot felt ashamed that it was only able to accomplish half of what it had been created to do.
After two years of feeling ashamed, the cracked pot mustered up the courage to talk to the water bearer. He said, “I am ashamed of myself. Because of this crack in my side I cause water to leak out all the way back to your house.”
The water bearer said in response to the pot, "Yes, but did you notice the flowers all the way down the side of your path? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and one day I planted flower seeds all along the side of your path. Every day when we walk back you’ve watered them.
And now for two years you have provided beautiful flowers that I have been able to pick and decorate my table with.”
He said, “Without you being just the way you are, I wouldn’t have this beauty along this path or to grace my house.”
Each of us is uniquely and inerrantly made. We have beendesigned with a specific purpose in mind. Each freckle is in the right place. Each eye the right color. Each bit of knowledge learned at just the right time.
Have you ever thought what life would be like if each of us were good at exactly the same thing?
Have you ever thought of what our community would be like if we all thought the same? If we all agreed on the same topics? If we all shopped the same? Walmart would be nuts!
I am personally thankful we are all unique! Each of us has been given and blessed with a unique set of gifts and talents. Together we can do extraordinary things for our community. Through our diversity, we each see obstacles and opportunities through different looking glasses. Each bringing an interesting perspective to our future and where we want to go as a community.
I hope that you are embracing the diversity of your community, those you work with, those in your small groups, and the ones you interact with regularly. I hope you are blessed by their flaws and perhaps the flaws of others help you use your talents in new and interesting ways. I am excited for what our future holds.
Ken Blanchard once said “None of us is as smart as all of us.” I know that I am personally better because of those I surround myself with, flaws and all. I hope they feel the same. Surround yourself with good people. Look past their flaws and cling to their strengths and how they strengthen you. I know that if you do, our community will be that much better off because of it!
* This article was originally printed in the Sunday, July 6, 2014 issue of The Chronicle's "Planting Seeds" column.
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