Author Darlene J Conard

“This heartwarming story has been a great source of inspiration for me. When I was feeling shattered and helpless, I didn’t think I could be of any use to anybody, let alone the Almighty. But I’ve learned that even in the depths of our brokenness, there is always hope, and we should keep praying and trusting in God’s plan. He will reveal His purpose for us, and we can never be so broken that we’re beyond repair. I’ve personally experienced overwhelming challenges that left me feeling crushed and pulverized, but I’ve also discovered that those very experiences have strengthened my faith and character, and have made me even more useful in serving others.

When we face adversity, it can feel like we are being crushed under the weight of our struggles. However, we must remember that God is with us every step of the way, ready to guide and shape us into something new. He can take our shattered pieces and rebuild us from the ground up, using our trials as an opportunity for growth and transformation. Through the refining fire of hardship, we can emerge as a stronger, more resilient version of ourselves. We must trust that God has a plan for us and have faith that even in our darkest moments, He is working to create something beautiful out of our brokenness. God scoops every single ounce of us into His hands, remoistens, reshapes, and puts it back in the furnace called trials to make a completely new vessel!

Yesterday, I had an encounter with God that made me realize how big and how much He is in control! Do I enjoy being crushed? Absolutely not, but I am so grateful He doesn’t leave us undone!

The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.

The Cracked Pot Legend

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18 KJV

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”.  The bearer asked, “Why? What are you ashamed of?”  The Pot replied, “For these past two years I can deliver only half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you don’t get full value for your efforts”.

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.”  As they went up the hill, the old, cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it somewhat.  But at the end of the trial, 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 walked 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.”

You’ve just read an Indian Folklore story that has a valuable lesson. Years ago, during my struggle even after walking with God, I experienced feeling, too broken for Him to use. Wrestling with thoughts such as, “I’m worthless,” even feeling like trash. Perhaps, you are struggling with the same issues.

We are His treasure, and our brokenness beautifies his surroundings.

You are of excellent value brokenness and all!

“For all these things My hand has made, so all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. But to this one, I will look [graciously], to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.” AMP Isaiah 66:2

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