Filling One Another’s Pitcher


Have you ever heard of the idea of filling someone’s pitcher? Sometimes we feel completely empty and our pitcher is bone dry of the nourishing elixir of liquid wholeness.

Jesus Christ told the woman at the well, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst” (John 4:13-14).

We want our pitchers to be full of the spiritual water Christ offers. But guess what? At baptism, we were each given the ability to share that precious water. We covenanted to bear one another’s burdens and mourn with those that mourn (see Mosiah 18:8-9).

I love this picture of women helping one another at the well. Many of us don’t have to go to the well to get water, but I think we miss out on something. Take a look at this world of sisters at the well. Can you imagine the conversations that take place?

Some women have an innate gift to fill someone else’s pitcher. Others have to work at it a little bit. But all of us feel the need to have someone around who cares and will ask us the right questions that ignite that living water within us.

I listened to a Stake Relief Society president who testified that she felt her greatest mission in her calling was to conduct regular interviews with her ward presidents. These interviews always focused on the president; how she was doing and what was happening in her life. One question is always included: How have you drawn upon spiritual power this past week? Notice: her interviews aren’t about the president’s responsibilities. Questions focus on her well-being.

Asking about her relationship with the spirit is profound to me. The spirit is immediately invited into the conversation. Instantly, the president centers her thoughts on what really is important and how the Lord is with her. Magnificently, her pitcher is filled. I can feel my own pitcher filling just thinking about that focused and loving conversation.

Often, our pitcher dries out because we don’t recognize the spirit in our lives. We can help one another recognize the blessings in each of our lives simply by asking about them. We can relish the fact that we are all loved by a Father in Heaven. Our problems don’t go away, but with a filled pitcher we can pull ourselves together and start refreshed.

As we continue working on our ministering, what can we do to help fill the pitchers around us? The sisterhood of our Relief Society can be a real strength for those (all of us) who get battered down. We all get a little forgetful of the blessings that surround our blind and burdened eyes.

The Savior has taught us profoundly in His scriptures. He really has shown us the way. Come to the everlasting well of refreshment and be filled by your loving sisters, the spirit, and truth that our Savior can carry us through even the most devastating trial of our lives. As He offers us peace, He has also provided us with the ability to fill one another’s pitchers. Just think of the power that wields!