Have you ever done anything that you are always known for – Divorce? Eating too much? Eating too little? Being shy? Being loud? Being sensitive? Being insensitive? Being quiet? Being loud? Being single? All of this reminds me of Mary Magdalene.

Do you ever wonder how Mary Magdalene did it? So many places she went she was recognized for who she used to be and not what she had become. How did she forgive herself; how did others around her forget or how did she just keep going? Well, sitting at her table was Jesus. He loved her where she was and for who she was. He was willing to give all for her. He saw everything about her – the past and better yet – who she was becoming in Him. Even when she faltered, He encouraged and reminded her of God’s great love for her.

Who is sitting at your table? Who are you giving a seat next to you that is reminding you of your past but not seeing who you are now or where you are going?

Are you looking across the table at someone who has it all together and you are slightly envious? Reminds me of the story of the cracked pot – it’s long but please hang in there-

There once lived a water carrier. Every morning, as soon as the sun rose, she walked from her home to collect water in two earthen pots that hung from a long pole that she carried across her shoulders. One pot was perfectly formed, the other, although the same shape and size as its counterpart, had a crack in its side. So, whenever they returned to the water carrier’s house it was only ever half full.

For years, the water carrier repeated her journey to and from her house collecting water from the river. As the years passed by, the cracked pot created a story in its head about its level of worthiness and inability to properly perform the job for which it had been created. Eventually, the pain and shame that it felt about its own perceived imperfections, became too much for it to bear. So, one day as the water carrier knelt beside the river and began her usual task of filling the pots with water, the cracked pot found its voice and said;

“I am so sorry. For years and years, I have watched you fill me with water and I can only imagine what a fruitless task it must be for you. As whenever we return to home, I am only ever half full. While in comparison, the other pot is perfect, rarely does it lose a drop of water on our long walk back to our home, but me, I am far from perfect. This crack in my side, not only does it cause me so much hurt and shame, but it must also cause you to want to get rid of me. Surely, I am only making this long, arduous job that you do each day, that much more difficult? I can understand if you are thinking of getting rid of me and replacing me with another perfectly formed pot.”

The water carrier listened to these words with both care and compassion. The cracked pot’s story of unworthiness and shame was not one that she recognised. For this was not what she thought of the pot. She knew about the crack, but did not see it as an imperfection, or as something that made it less worthy than the other pot that hung from her shoulder.

Gently, she turned to the pot and said, “On our return walk home, I want you to look up and to the side of you. For too long, it would seem you have been looking down, comparing yourself to others and not noticing how you and the crack that you have in your side has brought untold beauty into my life”

Puzzled, the cracked pot wondered what on-earth her words meant. She seemed to be suggesting that its story of lack, unworthiness and shame, was in some way faulty. As to how this could be, it could not comprehend.

However, the cracked pot trusted the water carrier. It occurred to it that in all the time that it had journeyed with her, she had never said a harsh word, never scorned or ridiculed it, but had always shown a sense of gratefulness and care when filling it with water.

So, on the return journey it heeded the water carrier’s words. It looked up and it looked out. In its former depressed state, it had not noticed that along the path that they travelled there was a dazzling array of beauty, colour and life. The water carrier in her wisdom, knowing of the crack in the pot’s side, had sprinkled seeds along the path. These seeds  were duly watered every day as a result of the crack in the pot’s side and the path that had once been barren and devoid of life was now resplendent with an array of beautiful wild flowers.

Us, like the cracked pot, can become so aware of our flaws that we cannot see the beauty in them. We do not understand what we are bringing to His table to be used to help others. “Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2.

Who can you bring to the table? Not just what but who. The Table has plenty of room and all are welcome. Your past does not matter; your present is now and your future is between you and Him.

So, come to the Table. The mashed potatoes are plenty and there is lots of room.