Education: "Cracked Pots" by Bro∴ Bob Melvin

Recorded February 2026. Hosted and edited by Bro∴ Justin Garrett.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:03

Cracked pots, author unknown. To my brothers who are moving up tonight, taking on more responsibility, committing more of your time and obligating yourselves even more to our lodge and serving your brothers. You must be a bunch of cracked pots. How can you, as flawed, imperfect men, presume that you are worthy of such an honorable distinction? 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 was cracked, 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 his accomplishments, perfect to the task for which it was made, but the poor cracked pot was ashamed of his own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been tasked to do. After two years of what it had perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. I'm ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you, said the pot. Why? asked the bearer. What are you ashamed of? I've been able for these past two years to deliver only half my water because the 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 wildflowers 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 the pot 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've 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 watered them. For two years I've 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. My brothers, we are all cracked pots, each with his own unique flaws, but if we allow it, the great architect of the universe will allow your flaws to grace your brother's table. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and with your brother's assistance, you may be the cause of great beauty, knowing in your weakness, our strength is made perfect. So be the best brotherly cracked pot that you can be.