Filling the Bucket

I woke up early this morning, quietly snuck out of the bedroom and took my normal position in the chair in the living room. My typing chair. This has been my normal routine for most Sundays over the past eight years. Usually, I write a blog post, post it, and then watch as a few comments roll in. After that, I get ready for Church, or go back to bed – depending on what our Church schedule happens to be at the time.

This morning was different. I did everything the same, but when it came time to start typing, I stopped.

I had nothing,

I had plenty of topics to write about. Heavens, I could probably list a dozen things that I might write about off the top of my head. That has never been a problem. The supply of ideas for blog posts is infinite.

This morning was different. As I contemplated each topic, I had plenty I could say, but nothing I wanted to say. After about 30 minutes of trying, I threw in the towel and decided that going back to bed was the best choice.

It was weird, and different. As I went through the day, I kept asking myself questions. Was this writer’s block? No – I had plenty to write about. Was I just being lazy? No – I was up and at ’em, early.

As the day progressed, it came to me why I didn’t have anything to give: The reason? My proverbial bucket was empty. I simply did not have it in me to try and write something enlightening, informative or funny. I lacked the necessary “oomph” to do it.

This was new to me. I have written a Sunday post most of the 400+ weekends that I have been blogging…but not today.

It struck me as odd, so I decided to spend my Sabbath figuring out what was going on in my head/heart. It took a while, but I eventually did, as demonstrated by this rare evening post.

Here is what I discovered: It had been a brutal week. The World was being extra-ridiculous and Satan was doing “Happy Dances” all over the place. Our Nation is being led by idiocy at best, evil at worst. Work and finances were tough and tricky. To top it all off, I got a flu- bug that is never a pretty thing to have.

My focus this past week was on worldly things. I roiled in frustration. I allowed fear, anger and apathy find a place in my heart. It was exhausting.

All together, I was drained. My bucket was empty. Simply put: You can’t share what you don’t have.

While we don’t talk a lot about buckets in our theology, there is a lot of talk about lamps. President Monson quoted this poem in General Conference:

I met a stranger in the night, whose lamp had ceased to shine;
I paused and let him light his lamp from mine.
A tempest sprang up later on, and shook the world about,
And when the wind was gone, my lamp was out.
But back came to me the stranger—his lamp was glowing fine;
He held the precious flame and lighted mine.

That’s what I needed – to fill my bucket. So, I did what one does to fill the bucket, or light the lamp. I went to Church. I sang the hymns, partook of the Sacrament, listened to the talks. I served in my calling, made dinner, enjoyed time with my family, and read good things.

(Coincidentally, today’s Primary lesson was about Christ being the Light. It fits nicely.)

Here I am in my chair, 12 hours later, and I feel fine. Amazing thing how by simply changing our focus can reignite a light that is flickering, or stop up a leaking bucket.

So there you have it: The reason there was no post this morning. I hope none of you are disillusioned by my candor, but I’m guessing that I am not the only person this has happened to.

Enjoy the rest of your Sabbath, and may you remember to keep your bucket filled throughout the next week, just in case someone might need to have a sip.

Note: Come on over to my Facebook page and join us for Sunday Night Check-in!! (link)