Is Your Bucket Empty ???

T’was bright and early one morn, when a little lassie jumped out of bed. She had a mission to do. As her mommy was contemplating what to make for family breakfast, this petite miss raced past her toward the kitchen door announcing, “I promise I won’t go out of my yard, but I need to do something important for God”.

In curiosity, her mommy peeked out the window and witnessed her daughter picking up garden stones and plopping them into her tiny bucket. With a chuckle, the mother accepted that dirty stones were about to decorate the breakfast table.

Pancakes grilled, mommy poked her head outside and announced breakfast was ready and hands needed to be washed before the first bite was eaten. The little lassie, still clutching her bucket, raced inside. Her morning task resulted in a very hungry tummy. Hands cleansed; she parked her bucket under the chair into which she plunked her diminutive frame. Mommy sighed relief that dirty stones were not perched upon her table. Their presence in a bucket on the floor was much more appetizing.

Hands folded and head bowed, this small child of God sang Grace for her family. After a unison Amen, all reached for the flap jack platter.

Between yummy bites, daddy was curious and inquired what motivation led his little girl to her early morning adventure. In a matter-of-fact explanation, the apple of this daddy’s eye replied, “I was obeying God”. Her mommy added, “I’m glad you, also, honored me and didn’t put those dirty stones in your bucket upon my clean table”.

Puzzled, the wise youngster inquired, “what stones, Mommy?”. With a loving, factual tone, the mother interjected, “the ones I saw you putting into your bucket”. “Oh Mommy,” the lass responded, “those stones weren’t for my bucket. They were for God. His wish is for me, for you, for everyone to give the stained stones in our lives to Him, and He will carry them for us. So, I gave God all our messy rocks!”. Lifting her bucket up for all to examine, this child of God exclaimed, “See, my bucket’s empty! God’s hands, not mine, now carry them all!”.

What about my and your bucket? Are they overbrimming with the rocky issues of our lives, or are they empty because, with trust, we have poured all our rubble boulders into God’s almighty palm? “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (KJV)