When you reach a certain point in life, you wonder how many things you might cross off the old bucket list. I’ve never thought too much about a bucket list. I’m happy to see the dawning of a new day – to enjoy the company of my husband – to have the memories of a lifetime.

The fact that I’ve never really had any wild goals in my life would probably indicate that I’m a pretty boring person. I’ve never jumped out of a plane to free fall. I’ve never driven at speeds over 200 MPH – swung from a bungie cord across a wide canyon or stood on the top of a pyramid.  You could say, I’ve led a pretty dull life, but I don’t think so.  In fact, I feel like I’m still a work in progress and every day allowed to me from now on is just another opportunity to grow closer to my Savior – my God.

If I were to write a bucket list, I would undoubtedly have a tough time.  I’m afraid of heights; I’m not a very good swimmer; my out of shape body would never carry me to the top of a pyramid – much less a flight of stairs.  I’ve never been one to take chances.  I really play it safe most of the time.  I’m way too conservative to spend money on foolishness.  I know, most bucket lists are designed to take you outside of your box and make you do something you’ve never done before, but I think that most of the things that would be on my list have already been accomplished in my lifetime.

For example I might say I would like to witness a miracle – but I have already seen many.  I have three children, I have been given God’s forgiveness of my sins, I have had all my earthly needs provided for even when I didn’t think they would be. 

Sure, these are the every day miracles that we’ve all seen, but there are more.  There was the Christmas we were up to our ears in medical expenses and it looked like we wouldn’t be able to buy gifts for our children.  That year was bleak for the company my husband  worked for and they weren’t giving out bonuses – except to him.  There was the time I drove for over a mile with a broken tie-rod and made it safely to a place I could get help.  There were numerous occasions when I thought my life would end due to some illness or surgery, but God had other plans for me.  Miracles are all around us if we just look for them.

If our lives mean anything, a bucket list isn’t really necessary.  God has our life all planned out for us and we can expect to have adventures and excitement along the way.  He loves our laughter.  He enjoys our successes.  He grieves when we grieve. He sometimes molds us like a potter punches his clay to make us a thing of beauty.

I’m happy with the life I’ve experienced so far – even the low times, because I know that something wonderful is waiting for me on the other side of eternity and that is where every hope, dream and aspiration will be fulfilled. 

“So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.”  Ecclesiastes 11:8