FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THE CRACKED POT ~ 04 December 2022

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

THE CRACKED POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the 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 of full of water in 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 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 path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and 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 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.

Chaplain Mitch Schranz

 

[radu]

Hey there, Kathy.

The wind did die down and the cold front took it’s time getting here. Not too chilly today though it was gloomy. We did get a little bit of rain overnight but not much. Might get a little more tomorrow. Monday through Wednesday is when we expect good, soaking rain.

I saw that y’all had a little warmer temps up there today. Upper teens rather than zero. Still way too cold! LOL

[radu]

I thought it looked like it was clearing over your way a little bit. It did clear to the east just after sunset because the rising moon was visible.

It cleared off here after sunset and not the temp’s dropping like a stone. Tomorrow will be right chilly, but not as cold as Anchorage. LOL

Darned work, just had to get in the way. Never fails, does it?

Ouch, your gas is up there, isn’t it? I noticed when I went to the PO earlier that gas went down 10 cents here since Thursday. I have to get real gas and it’s $3.49 now. Ethanol garbage is cheaper, of course, but that will kill my car.
The cars are full right now and by the time I need gas, the price will probably go up again.

[luvie]

Ray Walker~Master The Tempest Is Raging
Congregational Singing

Cynthia Clawson & Others~Church In The Wildwood

The Trevecca Madragalians~It Is Well With My Soul

Statler Brothers~How Great Thou Art

St. Olaf Choir~When Peace Like A River

Providence~There's A Goldmine In The Sky

Vocal Majority~Deep River

Have a blessed Sunday
God bless our troops!

[luvie]

Hey there radu!

Did it get as cold there today as was predicted? It was chilly here but not awful. I didn’t see much of the kitties, so I know it wasn’t warm enough to sit in the sun.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Down 10 cents...nice! The next few days are supposed to be in the upper 20s, with snow, then single digits and zero next weekend. Time will tell.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Military Families, for your service to our country.

John Conlee ~ They Also Serve

[radu]

Howdy, luvie.

The cold front took its time moving through so it didn’t get too cold. It was obvious when the front came through because the skies cleared - right around sunset. It was almost 60 this afternoon and is 39 now, on its way down to upper 20s. Tomorrow will be mid 40s.

It sounds like your kitties were making good use of their new toasty beds. Can’t blame ‘em!

[luvie]

Glad it took its time. Gave you some time to enjoy nice comfortable temps before becoming uncomfortable. Hope you can stay in with YOUR kitties tomorrow when its cold!

I’m still thinking of getting one of those self-heating pads to put under my mattress pad. If it’s good enough for the kitties, it’s good enough for their hooman. LOL!

[radu]

I’m expecting gas to go back up at any time. I’ll take any decrease in the meantime.

Upper 20s? That WILL feel like a heat wave to y’all. LOL Now if that snow will just show up too. You need a thicker blanket than you have now.

[radu]

I only made a quick run to the PO today so wasn’t out much to enjoy the weather. There’s nowhere I need to go tomorrow so I’ll be plenty warm in here with the cats.
But hmmmmmm, I might want to get a short shopping list together and take care of that tomorrow. It’s supposed to be pretty wet Monday through Wednesday and I hate hauling wet groceries into the house.

You’ll probably roast under that heavy quilt if you put one of those pads under your mattress pad. :-)

[luvie]

You’re probably right, but it just sounds so cozy! LOL!

Indeed, getting out when it’s chilly and dry is waaaaaay better than getting out when it’s wet and soggy. Don’t blame you a bit!

[radu]

It sounds cozy but reality might have you getting rid of the pad or using lighter covers. LOL

Had I known the forecast for next week would change, I’d have made the store run today. Monday had low rain chances but now they’re high. Great because we need the rain but not great for shopping. I always get stuck waaaaaaay out in the parking lot. LOL I rarely find a spot close to the door.

[luvie]

Well, if I hate it I can always save it for the kitties, when the one they have gets beyond help. LOL!

I think it’s great that you’ll get rain. You really need it. But not for the trip to the grocery store. That’s just messy.

[radu]

It never hurts to have an extra on hand.

I’m excited by tonight’s weather report. They predict us to get 4 to 6 inches next week and do we ever need it!

[luvie]

I’m totally jealous of all that rain. Half that amount would give us our yearly average, which is 13 inches.

[radu]

We’ll see if we really get that much. I hope we do. I haven’t sat down to figure out how much below normal we are but I know it’s pretty low. We’ve had little rain for months now and this will help get the water table up.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Sunday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyone doing this morning?

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Was it a nippy day for your outing with Gizmo yesterday?

[E.G.C.]

It was a little bit nippy but otherwise nice out there.

[luvie]

Fingers crossed! Now I’d better sleep. See ya tomorrow! I hate going to bed early! LOL!