Giving Thanks

During my time in the classroom as a teacher, I loved to share stories and parables with my students.  Thanksgiving always lent itself as the perfect occasion to stress reflection on what we have been given in this beautiful country we live in.  Children see this clearly and can enthusiastically wax poetic on their favorite Thanksgiving foods and traditions. This story, shared with students around this time each year, gave them cause to reflect on the gifts God has shared.  Each of us is created in His perfect image, yet we spend much time and energy doubting these gifts.  I wish I knew the original author, but all copies I have credit this piece as author unknown.

    A water bearer had two large pots.  Each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.  At the end of the long walk from the street to the house, the cracked pot always arrived only half full.

    For some time this went on daily.  Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, for it was perfect and always arrived full and brimming with fresh water.  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 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself,” said the cracked pot.”I have only been able to deliver half of my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.  Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts.”

    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?  I have always known about your perfect flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path.  Every day, while we walk back, you’ve watered them!  For years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my table.  Without you being just the way you are, there would not be beauty to grace my house.”

    During this season of Thanksgiving, we need to give thanks for the gifts we have been given and can share with others.  One does not need to be perfect to make a difference, and even the smallest of acts can bring joy.

As we enter the season of Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping frenzies, there's another day you might want to know about: Giving Tuesday. On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, (Nov. 29 this year), shoppers take a break from their gift-buying and donate what they can to charity.  It’s a simple idea. Whether you come together with your family, your community, your company or your organization, find a way to give back, whether it’s some of your time, a donation or gift.

This season, I pray we listen to our hearts and give of our gifts. Have a happy Thanksgiving!