Everybody, Always

courage to change. Jesus never had a problem with people who knew their
shortcomings; He didn’t tolerate people who faked it. Once we get real
with where we actually are and our desperate need for Him, He’s got a
person He can do something with.
When I got home from Austin, I told Sweet Maria all about my trip
and Randy’s terrific church and the rental-car guy. I told her how I sat in
line and filled the bucket with patience. She nodded as I waved my arms,
and she looked at me with a grin and a twinkle in her eye as I told her
about how much progress I had made in being patient. When I was all
done, I asked her what she thought about everything I was learning. With
the sincerity of Mother Teresa and the wisdom of the ages, she leaned
over to me and whispered, “Get a bigger bucket.”
As I think about it now, I realize I looked pretty silly walking around
with my bucket, but I probably look even sillier walking around with all
my pride and selfishness and impatience. Even more so to the people who
were closest to me—the ones my life wasn’t working for. The same is
probably true for you and the ones you love. Now, when I’m feeling
overwhelmed by distractions or someone hurts my feelings or I’m feeling
a little impatient, I grab my bucket. I still mess up more often than I want
to. When I do, instead of beating myself up, wishing I were the guy who
had it all figured out, I hear the gentle and kind voice of Jesus reminding
me once again to stop laying sod where He’s planting seed in my life. His
reason is simple: He’s more interested in making us grow than having us
look finished. He wants me to realize I’m just not quite there yet.