The Scrap Bucket

The lesson of the scrap bucket.

We have a scrap bucket in the rectory. Well actually, it's a recycled 4 litre ice-cream container. No lid, just the base and it sits hungrily on the kitchen bench. Into it goes my apple core from breakfast, the veggie scrapings and various other unmentionables. It’s a handy device and needs washing out from time to time. It also needs emptying on a frequent basis.

So out I go, ‘scrap bucket’ in one hand and shovel in the other. I find a bit of spare ground in the garden, dig a hole and plunge the contents into the waiting soil. Then simply back fill the hole, put the shovel away in the garage and the scrap bucket back on the bench.

At this time of the year it’s chilly and I don’t relish the time outside. But this is the right thing to do for a couple of reasons.

First, it enriches our garden soil and helps us to grow worms, fantastic veggies and flowers. Secondly it cuts down on landfill.  But ultimately there is something very important that I learn and relearn from this couple of minutes in the blithering cold.

That everything, literally everything, has a meaning and a purpose. Nothing is to be wasted, everything has value. We have learnt this in our multi colour bin lids and the way that we package things. And I realise afresh that even when I have had a rubbishy, scrappy sort of day, I am still treasured and vital in the Masters eyes. And if this is true of the priesty guy who lives at 39 Griffin street, then it is most certainly true of everyone, everywhere, in every street, nation, colour and creed.

Everything and everyone has purpose and value. This is the lesson of our scrap bucket.