Canning My Bucket List

Do you ever have so many things you want to do but don't know where to begin? Maybe you want to write a book, learn another language, start a business or travel the world. You begin to think of all the things you want to accomplish only to come to the crashing realization that there's not enough hours in the day to get it all done, especially if you have real life responsibilities such as work and a family.

Some days, I grow weary when making my mental wish list of things I want to do, places I want to go, sights I want to see, and things I want to experience. I have to sit down, breathe in, breathe out, and coach myself through the panic. I'm reminded of my husband's words, "Who needs a bucket list? What does all that stuff really mean in the grand scheme of things?"

I remind myself that he's right. It doesn't matter.  I'm then comforted by the same verse, John 4:14, that can create panic if not careful, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." What? I'm just a vapor? (insert hyperventilation here). Just kidding...sort of.

It's during those moments of self-reflection that I remember what really matters and it's nothing on my bucket list. What really matters is the question,  am I being Jesus to others? Am I a good representation of Him, and do people see Him in me? Does that mean we give up on our dreams? Does that mean we don't live life to the fullest and make the best of  our time on earth? Absolutely not. God puts desires in our heart for His glory; however it does mean that if we're not careful, we can get too world-like and world-centered. 

I find peace in 1 John 2:15-17: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."

As of today, I have a new bucket list. It's a list of things that matter and a list of things that are manageable and attainable. For example, instead of seeing the world, I want to see my sons grow into responsible men who treat their wives and children with love and respect. Instead of writing a book, I want to inscribe the words of God on their hearts by showing them Jesus every day. Instead of learning a new language, I want to speak the language of the Lord and love and encourage others all the days of my life.