The caller begins I have something to tell you& Not expecting bad news, I hesitate to ask. We had a hailstorm and the airport got pounded. Your airplane was damaged. I had flown my airplane to Lloydminster, Alta. for an inspection. The next day hail the size of ping pong balls hit. The caller says the storm seemed to target the airport. I wonder if hailstorms seek out airports, much as tornadoes seem to seek out trailer parks. Both seem to occur regularly.
An airplane is only a machine. It can be repaired. I have sent enough money to the insurance company. It is their turn to pay. Some friends express sympathy. I am grateful for their concern but I respond Others suffer real misfortunes. I didn t lose my house in a fire or a flood. I am glad nobody was hurt in the hailstorm.
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Eric is a retired policeman. He spends his summers as a hail-insurance adjuster. He says it is difficult to meet with farm families whose hopes for good crops are wiped out, sometimes in a matter of minutes. Plans for paying off debt, making improvements or building a new house are dashed. I marvel at the patience of farmers whose fate is determined by the wiles of nature. A barn along the highway between Saskatoon and Regina proclaims more than a name: RISKANHOPE FARM.
Sometimes people hear of the misfortunes of others and say God spared us. Others blame God for catastrophes. What is the truth? I believe in divine intervention but I do not believe God inflicts destruction. I cannot explain the inconsistency between these two beliefs. Sometimes all we can do is ask questions. How do you explain that your crop was hailed out while your neighbour was spared? Was the Lloydminster airport targeted by a hailstorm?
The pursuit of perfection and the search for definitive answers leads to frustration and disappointment. I have a friend who says You play the hand you are dealt.
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on opposite ends of a yoke he carried across his shoulders. One of the pots had a crack in it. The other pot was perfect. It delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to his employer s house. The cracked pot arrived half full.
The cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection. It felt like a failure because it was able to deliver only half a load of water. One day it spoke to the water bearer, I am ashamed and I want to apologize to you.
Why? asked the water bearer. What are you ashamed of?
I deliver only half my load. This crack in my side allows water to leak all the way back to your employer s house.
The water bearer replied, Tomorrow I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path. As they went up the hill, the cracked pot noticed the flowers on the side of the path.
The water bearer said to the pot, Did you notice that there were flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot s side? That s because I have used your flaw. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day while we walk back from the stream, you ve watered them. If you were different than you are, we would not have these beautiful flowers. (Author Unknown)
We are all broken, all flawed in some way, yet worthy of God s love and care.
SuggestedScripture:Matthew5:43-48,Matthew11:28-30
