Thursday, January 14, 2010

The whys and wherefores of bucket-dom

I go in phases with my scriptures. Phases where I wake up early and DEVOUR them for an hour, pencil at the ready. Phases where I read them during nap time, more as an item-to-be-checked-off-today thing. Phases where I read them right before I go to bed, struggling to get through a chapter, and not getting a dang thing out of it. And phases where I don't read them at all.

Stepper blogged about a bucket analogy the other day, and it reminded me about my favorite bucket story - even if it didn't have much to do with hers.

This picture made me laugh. Moving on.

A young man approached an old man, seeking wisdom. And to complain.

"Why do I have to read the Holy Book every day, O Wise Man? I never remember it anyway ..."

The sage bowed his head and promised to answer the youth's question - but only after the young man fetched a pail of water from a lake in the neighboring village.

The young man took off, bucket banging against his leg, trudging through the terrain, up and down hills, to said water source. Bucket filled, he began the trek home only to find that the bucket had a leak in it.

Upon arriving at the elder man's feet with nothing to show for his journey, the youth began to complain again, "This bucket had a leak in it! There's no point to this! Why did I have to do that?!"

And so the old man sent him to fill the bucket again.

Trek there, trek back. Still no water.

"Tell me about the bucket, son," the wise man said.

"Well," thought the young man. "I did water all the flowers between the lake and your hut."

"You're starting to get it - now do it again."

Trek there, trek back. Still no water.

"And what did you learn this time?" inquired the man.

After a moment's thought, the youth had the answer. "The bucket is clean."

***************

We are asked to read the Lord's word every day not only to learn, but to be cleansed.

Even if our buckets are a little leaky.

14 comments:

Kristina P. said...

This is a great analogy.

Stepper the Mighty said...

Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. I really needed to learn this. I too go on phases, and I get so frustrated with myself for not being a better scriptorian. I've been a member all my life, and my convert hubby knows more about the scriptures than I do.

But you are right.

Sometimes it's not about how many chapters you've read or all the incredible wisdom and truth that you gleaned from it.

Sometimes it's about being obedient. And allowing yourself to be clensed.

Because heaven knows - I'm a much better Stepper when I've read. Even if it is just a chapter before bedtime.

(and while we're talking about spiritual enlightenment - did I tell you that you're quoted on my refrigerator?)

Stephanie said...

I love this.

And it sounds like you and I have the same "system."

janae said...

DUDE. The worst is when you accidentally forget until bed time, and then you end up feeling tired and frustrated and anxious to be done the whole time you're reading. I hate that. It's funny how you don't realize at the time how much reading scriptures help you. I made a goal at 13 to read scriptures every day, and I didn't miss a single day in an entire decade. Then, somehow, I just fell out of it and ended up being so much more sporadic about the whole thing. Only then did I look back and realize how much my reading affected my life. I loved the analogy, it was a perfect explanation. :)

Brittany Ann said...

I love this, I'd never thought of scripture study as a cleansing process. Thank you!

Jocelyn Christensen said...

I think Mr. Miyagi said it best "wax on...wax off, Daniel-Son!" :)

Jenny P. said...

the picture is great, and the analogy is perfect. Thanks for sharing...

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

My mind? Blown. I love it. Thank you.

Lisha said...

Clever Girl, thanks for sharing and thanks for helping me out.

Kazzy said...

I have heard that bucket story before and I really like it. Such great wisdom. Kind of like the everyday manna analogy. Thanks for the reminder!

melissabastow said...

Very awesome bucket story. I am definitely a little leaky.

Timothy said...

I remember when you shared this with me for your VT message, and it has stuck with me since!

Melissa P said...

Thanks for the reminder. I think I could use your wisdom more often. Thanks for putting the spiritual reminders on here. I am sure you are a wonderful person.

Jody Blue said...

I LOVE IT!!! I will pass this on!