We visited Faith Memorial Chapel for the last time of the season due to our travel schedule. I must admit it made us both a little bit sad. It has been a wonderful summer retreat for us and one where we felt that we were worshipping in God’s magnificent sanctuary — the outdoors.

The minister this week was a United Methodist pastor from Traveler’s Rest (TR to the locals) and had a great message. He had recently taken a new appointment in TR and told us that during May and June it is not uncommon to see pastors at the local ABC store getting boxes. Liquor boxes make the best boxes for moving books and those are something that most pastors have in abundance.

But the real message was about bucket filling. He had a ladle that belonged to his grandparents and he related how he remembered using that ladle to get cold water when he was at his grandparents. Now I have similar memories of a pump in front of my grandparent’s house where we could get a cold drink on a hot day. But what he was referencing was using our “ladle” to fill up our own buckets and to fill the buckets of others. It’s an analogy that has been used time and time again over the years and it is an important one to remember. We simply cannot fill someone else’s bucket if ours is depleted. That’s a good lesson, don’t you think? Take care of yourself first to make sure that you are healthy and filled to the brim —then, and only then—are you able to help someone else.

Children are taught that their buckets are full of feelings and emotions and that they are all there for a reason. There are times when we all feel sad or lonely, happy and joyful, unsure or afraid along with a myriad of other emotions. One thing that I have observed with our grandson is that his parents talk to him a lot about his emotions and help him identify them. An old Marriage Encounter mantra comes to mind “Feelings are neither right nor wrong.” It’s true

So when I think about what I can do to fill someone else’s bucket I think in terms of simple things. Because that is sometimes the best way to share compassion and kindness.

Give a hug.

Be kind.

Compliment someone on something you like about them.

Say thank you.

Tell someone you are proud of them and why you are proud of them.

Smile.

Be polite

All are very simple ways of showing someone else that you care and in turn fill their bucket at the same time.

What are some ways you fill your own bucket and the bucket of others? I would love to hear more ideas so leave me a comment and Comment for a Cause for More Than Words.