Drip, Drip, Fills The Bucket
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Consider how it's sometimes the small, simple acts—like a smile or a quiet moment of peace—that make the biggest impact.
The older I get, the more I'm conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn't it?
— Sandra Cisneros
It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen.
— John Wooden
Matthew 25:35-40
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’"
Food for Thought
In Liberia, we have a saying, “Drip, drip, fills the bucket.” The idea is that enough little drops eventually fill up a bucket. As a society, we have been socialized to value complexity over simplicity. We think the more complex a situation is, the more value we attach to it. Somehow, we have come to see simplicity as less valuable.
The truth, however, is that meaningful change comes about from the little things, the simple things. If we desire to make the world a better place, then it starts with us recognizing and appreciating the little things, the simple things. Another famous African proverb has to do with eating an elephant. The saying goes, “The way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.” Maybe you have also heard that a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. All these sayings point to the importance of embracing the simple things.
Jesus spoke to his followers in Matthew 25 about doing simple things to warrant a place in his kingdom. Simple things like feeding someone who is hungry, giving clothes to someone naked, visiting someone who is in prison, or giving water to someone thirsty can transform a life and bring healing and redemption. Notice that Jesus did not ask his followers to do an unnecessarily complex act, no, he asked them to care for their neighbors in simple, meaningful ways.
Whether we recognize it or not, there is chaos all around us. Hate seems to be making its way into the very fabric of our society and so many have failed to live in faith with honesty and compassion. When uncertainty seems to be all around us, the question for those of us who call ourselves Christ followers is now, what are we going to do? Are we overwhelmed and stagnant or are we willing to do the necessary work that brings redemption? If we are ready to do the work, then we must realize that it starts with the simple things.
If we allow ourselves to get discouraged because the task at hand is too great, nothing is going to change. If we are waiting for the right conditions to avail themselves before we begin the work, nothing is going to change. If we are waiting for a great crowd of people to join us, or to acquire the right amount of money before beginning the work, nothing is going to change. As Dr. Martin Luther King reminds us, “The time is always right, to do what is right.”
Let us now, through the aid of the Holy Spirit, discover what our simple thing is and commit ourselves to work wholeheartedly to keep doing that simple thing wherever we may find ourselves. When we commit to doing the “drip, drip” of our simple things, then eventually the bucket of redemption will be filled; the bucket of inclusivity will be filled; the bucket of welcome will be filled; the bucket of love will be filled; and together we will have achieved what we once thought was impossible.
Take a moment to breathe. Take a few deep breaths in and out. Ask yourself, what is my simple thing, what can I do to show God's love to the world, to make a difference?
As you think about something, write it down. It may be more than one thing, that's okay. Now look over the list of things you have written and quietly ask God for the desire, strength, and guidance to faithfully do these things throughout the week.
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
God of Simple Things,
It is easy sometimes to get overwhelmed by the problems and to give up. Help us to keep going, to keep making a difference. Help us to discover the simple things and to see the value in doing them. Give us the strength and guidance we need to keep doing the simple things in your name.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
When was a time that someone did a simple thing for you, or someone you know, that made a big difference or impact?
Why do you think we look down on simple acts as a society?
If you had to pick one simple thing you could commit to doing this week to show God’s love to your neighbor, what would that be and why?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Ask your kiddos to think of a time when someone did something small for them that made a big difference. How did it make them feel?
Talk together about why we can sometimes overlook simple things (like sharing a smile or a kind word with a neighbor), even though they can be really important?
Choose one small thing to do this week to show kindness and love to someone else.
Meet This Week’s Writer!
James Blay is the former Vice President of Administration at the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary. He now serves as the Coordinator for Children’s Programs with Passport Camps. James and his wife, Allison, enjoy spending their evenings chasing after their sweet pup, Benny!
To hear more from James throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!