When we are born, each of us is given a bucket and a dipper. All throughout our lives, the level of our bucket changes, sometimes being filled, and sometimes being emptied, determining how we feel about ourselves and others.

Obviously we are very different when our bucket is full, compared to when it is empty. For some people, their bucket actually develops a rotted out little hole in the bottom and it seems that all the goodness poured into it just seeps out over time, causing them to turn negative, bitter and often very hurtful toward others. They need their bucket filled, so they look for someone who's bucket is full of good things–like joy, kindness, grace, creativity, etc.–and use their dipper to take from the full bucket. When that doesn't work, they may actually shoot a hole in the bucket, trying to tear down and destroy the good things that person attempts to do by criticizing, condemning and complaining about them.

When those of us with full buckets encounter people whose buckets are empty, we should dip into our own full buckets and pour out our love, grace, joy, and peace into their empty buckets. We must do this even for those who persecute us and attack us viciously, because that is what they need.

But won't that cause my bucket to become dry? Never! For whenever we fill another's bucket, our own bucket is automatically filled to overflowing again! This is a natural law that is always true. However, we must remember that if we choose not to pour out of our full bucket into the buckets of others, over time the contents of our own bucket will become stale, and it may even evaporate away.

Let me encourage you. If your bucket is full, look for another's less-than-full bucket, and get busy using that dipper of yours to fill it up! If you know that your bucket needs filling, then by all means, find someone whose bucket is full and ask them to help you. You'll both be glad you did!