Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

“It’s a jug,” I said.“How much does this thing hold?”“Maybe a pint,” I estimated.“A pint? Man alive! I drink a pint of milk before I milk the cows inthe morning. I’ll not fill that thing. Go on and take it away! Haven’tyou anything bigger than that?”“No, not really.”“I’m not filling that thing,” he insisted. “What do you get yourwater in?”“Water? Oh, yes, we’ve filled our bucket with water already. Itholds two gallons.”“Well,” he retorted. “Bring the bucket. I’m not filling that thing.It’s bucket or nothing! Go on and get it!”So I went back to the caravan. Teddy stuck his hand out thewindow and said, “Good. Pass the milk in. I have my corn flakesready.”I explained to Teddy what had happened, “He won’t fill the jug.He said I was to bring the bucket.”“You can’t do that,” Teddy objected. “It’s full of water.”I emptied the water into the sink bowl and returned with thebucket to Mr. Underwood. Every day for the next couple of weeks,Mr. Underwood filled our bucket with milk. We drank it, had iton our cereal, and made rice puddings and custards with it. Wedid everything but wash in it.This episode has remained with me like a parable all my life, as Isee myself standing at the door of that farm and hear the farmersay, “You can have as much milk as you want.” I see my little pintjug and I see how I limited the provision of that generous man. Ihear Psalm 78 saying they limited the Holy One of Israel. And Iknow that our great God who is unlimited, is limited only by Hispeople. We present a small container like that pint jug, insultingthe abundance of the living, limitless God! I remember that farmersaying, “Bring the bucket; bring the bucket!” And I hear Jesussaying, “According to your faith, be it unto you.” (Matt 9:29)27