Kicking the Bucket List

“It’s the praising life that honors me. As soon as you set your foot on the Way, I’ll show you my salvation.” (Psalm 50:23 MSG)

Bucket lists... I get the idea.  They are meant to urge us on to do greater things... to reach for the stars... to break away from the humdrum... to stir a little excitement in life.  But they also do something else.  They make our everyday lives feel unimportant.  A long bucket list with few check marks can make us feel like we have accomplished little in our lives.  It makes us feel unfullfilled.

Don't get me wrong.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to sky dive or climb Mt. Everest or go on an African Safari or travel to Antarctica.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to do the extraordinary as long as it doesn't make you ungrateful for the ordinary.

Think of it... When Jesus instituted the Holy Eucharist he didn't use cavier and 40-year-old scotch... things rare and extraordinary.  No.  He used ordinary bread and ordinary wine.  And he gave thanks.  When we are at the end of our lives, and unable to participate fully in life, the things will will miss most are the most ordinary things... watching a sunset, tending a garden, cooking a meal... even brushing our teeth or standing under a hot shower.

When our hearts are filled with gratitude for these ordinary, daily gifts, the bucket list seems so much less important.  And these gifts are so easy to find when we make the effort to live in the moment and experience each gift AS a gift.  And then write it down.  The writing it down is so important.  Ann VosKamp writes, "This writing it down...it's sort of like... unwrapping love."  I have found that when I write down something simple that I am grateful for, it makes me smile.  Because I have found the joy in it.  I am thankful for the grace I have received and it brings me joy.  Thankfulness, grace, joy... all ideas found in the Greek word, Eucharisteo.

Consider kicking the bucket list... out.  Focus more or what we have right here, right now.  Find the extraordinary in the ordinary.  Write it down.  Unwrap the love.  Feel the joy.

Father,
Help us to take more joy in the life we have rather than continually chase new and bigger experiences.  You have already given us so much.  Grow us in gratitude.  Amen.