Drop by drop

Drop by drop . . .  the bucket fills.

"Haba na haba . . . Hujaza Kibaba"

This old Swahili proverb reminds us that every drop counts, regardless of how small. A multitude of opportunities, like countless drops in a bucket, abound every day to make a difference in the lives of those around us. People need daily drops in their buckets. A compliment, a smile, a word of appreciation or a simple thank you, can add drops to someone's bucket. People need to be recognized, and to feel appreciated.  Positive reinforcement and acknowledgement of their value can give a person a sense of self worth; effectively filling their bucket.

The opposite is also true.  Our actions can also work like dippers that empty someone's bucket.  Words or actions that belittle, demean, disparage, or put down, can diminish someone's self esteem, and take away from their sense of self-worth.  Sometimes simply ignoring the other person can effectively empty their bucket. Unfortunately, it takes much longer to drip in than it does to dip out. We need to be mindful of this when we interact with those that God places in our path. We also need to remember that just living in this sinful world can evaporate drops from our bucket.

 I think some people enjoy dipping out of other people's buckets. At least, it appears that way.  You are probably like me; you've known a few "big dippers" in your life! On the other hand, we know people who always seem to know how to cheer you up.  You enjoy their company, and look forward to being with them.  They are like Barnabas, the son of encouragement, in Acts 4:36. When you look closely, you also notice their bucket always seems full.  The reason for this is that when you add drops to someone else's bucket, some always seems to splash back into yours.  Sometimes, you actually receive more than you give!

Bucket filling or bucket dipping in a choice.  Some people seem to have a disposition for the negative. Their proverbial glass always seems half-empty. However, how we relate to others is always a choice.  You can't blame nature for being hateful, uncaring, mean or malicious.  Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone."  The older King James Version says to let you speech be "seasoned with salt."  I like that translation.  Salt is a preservative, it makes a difference, and it adds taste.  Our conversations and interactions with others should add a Christ-like "taste" to our relationships.

We choose either to make a positive or a negative difference in the lives of those around us. If we act positively, and add drops, we fill both their bucket, and our own. If we choose to dip instead, we impact everyone involved in a negative manner. What you do and say will make a big difference.  Remember, "drop by drop, the bucket fills," both yours and theirs.

The inspiration for this article comes from a little book by Tom Rath and Don Clifton, How Full Is Your Bucket?   The principles put forth in this book can make a huge difference in how we choose to relate and interact with others.  The authors base their studies on years of scientifically measured research on human reactions to positive stimuli and the depravation of those stimuli.  More than that, these truths make sense, and they are biblical.  In one sense of the word, they take the golden rule to a whole new level.

[By Larry Doyle]

Encouragement; Influence; Discouragement