THE CRACKED POT:Author unknown – either an old Indian or Chinese story.A water bearer in India had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole, which she carried across her 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 mistress'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 her master's house. 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 mistress'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 her compassion she said, "As we return to the mistress'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 the 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 mistress's table. Without you being just the way you are, she would not have this beauty to grace her house."Moral: 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. We've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. There's a lot of good out there.Personally I think that this is a lovely story that relates to each and every one of us. In some way we are all cracked pots and God uses our imperfections to do marvelous things in his creation. So let us all celebrate each others differences, and realise that we are all beautiful in the sight of God.With all Gods BlessingsRobert
Gentlemen’s LunchThe next lunch will be held at the usual venueThe Golden Pheasant,Plumley Moor Lane,PlumleyonThursday 19th March 2026,12.45 for 1.OOpm.It is essential that the members who expressed an interest in visiting the RAF Museum at Cosford, Shropshire,on16th April 2026 attend the meeting, to conclude travel arrangements and administration.……………New members and visitors are always welcome to join our social lunches.We meet every third Thursday of the month throughout the year.For further information please contact:Ed Wakefield 01565 830127 or Derek Moorhouse 01565 830398
LadiesLunch CirclePlease note, our next meeting isonWednesday 4th Marchat 12 for 12.30pmOur Ladies’ Circle meet for lunch at various venues on the firstWednesday of each month.If you are interested in joining us or require further information please contact either Jenny Holcroft jenny@highendheating.com Tel: 07785 776512 or Hilda Moorhouse dm14041949@gmail.com Tel: 01565 830398If you have not already put your name down and wish to join us,please contact Jenny 07785 776512 or jenny@highendheating.com
From the Registers - February11thSt Marks, Dunham Massey - funeral of Darren Hodgson followed by cremation at Altrincham15thSt Mary's, Rostherne - Baptism of Phoebe Joan Norbury20thBirches Crematorium - Funeral of Barbara Smith22ndSt Mark's, Dunham Massey - Baptism of Ryan William Curtis-MillerThere were also 3 home communions1 Care home Communion3 Collective Worships in Little Bollington Primary School2 special Ash Wednesday services at Holy Trinity, Little
