My Bucket List is Complete .... or is it?

When I went to Israel a few years ago, my Bucket List was complete. Sure I'll take on more adventures, but I don't have to. I am good to GO! No longer have a need for a bucket!

According to the 2007 movie “The Bucket List” where Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson (both of whose characters are dying of cancer) create a bucket list of things to do before they die – and then they actually do them. But, historians say that it dates to the Middle Ages when a method of execution involved the victim standing on a bucket with a noose tied around their necks. The bucket would then be kicked away, and good-bye to the victim. It is easy to see how the term could have been adapted to do those things that you would want to do today if you thought it possible that you might die tomorrow.

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." I still have a Vision Board that Ron not only wrote out the vision, but he made it plain by attaching photos of what he was believing for.

Alexia, my granddaughter and I had already been on a shopping spree before her birthday yesterday. I bought her birthday gift then, but since her parents are out of town, yesterday morning, I took a Chick-fil-A breakfast to her and a couple other gifts. She had told me that, when she moves out on her own, she wants to get a cat. So, to drive that vision home for her, I bought a 2021 calendar full of pictures of cats. AND, I bought her a furry little electronic, meowing cat. “Write the vision and make it plain – OR, show up with visuals that define it.

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." I still have a Vision Board that Ron not only wrote out the vision, but he made it plain by attaching photos of what he was believing for.

Alexia, my granddaughter and I had already been on a shopping spree before her birthday yesterday. I bought her birthday gifts then, but since her parents are out of town, yesterday morning, I took a Chick-fil-A breakfast to her and a couple other gifts. She had told me that, when she moves out on her own, she wants to get a cat. So, to drive that vision home for her, I bought a 2021 calendar full of pictures of cats. AND, I bought her a furry little electronic, meowing cat. “Write the vision and make it plain – OR, show up with visuals that define it.

Though my husband made plans and goals, not everything came to pass. But that's when, those of us who trust in God and His best "bucket list" for our lives, defer to "His ways that are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Think about Mary, Jesus' Mother. She must have had a detailed “bucket list” for her upcoming marriage to Joseph. She probably dreamed one day she would have a baby – maybe even calling him Joseph Junior. But all those dreams still had to make way for God's "bucket list". Mary's greatest accomplishment happened when she put aside her own goals and said "YES" to whatever God's bucket list had on it. Mary shows us that saying "yes" to God's plan for our lives can be far more rewarding than any list we could ever come up with.

We should continue to set goals, cast vision, dream big dreams, live with audacious and unwavering faith, but, let's stay open to God's Master Plan for our lives and be willing to trade in our bucket list for His. The best news is....His list comes with great rewards -- peace, joy, happiness AND life everlasting, as well as GREAT adventures and excitement of having a really awesome relationship with Almighty God.

Here is That Rainbow I've Been Praying For

Yesterday I was listening to the downpour of rain. I knew the outdoor event I was attending would be postponed. But, we had seen the forecast, so it was already planned that the event would resume later in the day when the rain was gone. I thought about this old song:
I can see clearly now the rain is gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

Oh yes I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day

Don’t those words express how we feel when, at last, the verdict comes out in our favor? Or, when the medical procedure or test reveals no disease? Or the baby is delivered after many hours of labor? Or the final exam grades were good enough to pass or even to earn a scholarship? Or any other test or trial that we go through that seems to have no end, but THEN, the bright, sun-shining day makes its way through to us.

Now, we’re singing a song of rejoicing because the obstacles that seemed insurmountable, the dark clouds, the pain, and the rain, are gone. All along God was there and we see the results of the work He has been doing in our lives. Oh, happy day! When we are going through difficult times, it is hard to see God’s Master Plan at work and, for goodness sake, we wonder what benefit could He possibly have in mind in the midst of our trials. The wait. Oh, the patience we must have during the wait. Why, Lord, does it take so long? Again, we hear. “Be patient, my child, I am working all things for your good. I promise you, you will thank me later.”

The Apostle James expressed it this way: “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4). Count it for joy? Seriously?

In God’s grand scheme of things…..the trials and the tests make us stronger. Our spiritual and moral fiber is being strengthened. Our story will soon have silver linings and it will be one, not only for the record books, but it will be a story that glorifies God and gives testimony to others of God’s amazing grace.

So now, we carry on. We pick up our swords and our crosses and we carry them with honor to the finish line. It won’t be much longer and it will be a bright sun-shining day again. The rainbow that we’ve been praying for will soon appear. What if trials of this life -- the rain, the storms, the hardest nights, are God’s mercies in disguise?

“Weeping may last for the night, but there is a song of joy in the morning.” Psalm 30:5.

A Lion, A Bear, A Big Dude = Promotion

A couple of days ago, I shared about young David and his ability to withstand the taunts and threats of the giant, but all it took was confidence and knowing who he was as God's representative (That giant was messing with the wrong guy!), and he took down that giant in one fell swoop! That seemed to be his crowning moment, even though it wasn't his first encounter with the enemy.

I want to add a little P.S. to that post today. David DID win that epic battle with Goliath, but God had prepared him in the trenches, in the “small” things. We might say, it wasn't an overnight success story. David was faithful to fulfill his responsibilities while simply tending to his sheep -- certainly a menial task -- not star quality opportunities. But, David did anything God asked him to do. When he faced the lion and the bear, he didn’t cower in fear. He knew that God had called him to the sheep, and that God would be faithful to give him the victory. That's why his faith grew as he destroyed the lion and the bear. So when the BIG DUDE came along, David already knew HIS God would defeat that giant as well.

Moral of this story: "Be faithful in the little things (those seemingly insignificant responsibilities and jobs -- like David did as a shepherd boy), then God will make you ruler of much (PROMOTE YOU!)." Luke 16:10. David eventually became King David of Israel. How's that for promotion?

And, like David, the sheep we protect, lead and guide (you know.....those everyday duties and responsibilities); each lion and bear we slay (everyday issues, challenges and circumstances); and each giant we take down.....are ALL a part of God's Master Plan that leads us to our destiny and purpose! He's preparing us right now and fully equipping us to be the most epic GIANT SLAYER ever! So, BIG DUDE, move out of our way! We've got your number and you're going DOWN....and WE'RE MOVING ON UP!

What's on Your Bucket List?

Finish High School - Check
Get a good job -- Check (Nope, college wasn't on the list.)
Get married - Check
Have babies - Check
Lose 10 pounds - Check
Learn to fly an airplane - Check
Go on a cruise - Check (15, in fact)
Take a trip to the Holy Lands -- (still on my list)

Another way to look at "bucket lists", is making a list of goals that we hope to accomplish before "heaven" calls our names. My husband was a relentless, annual goal setter -- not just those he hoped to accomplish before he "went home", but before the year ended. So much so, that he made a Vision Board each year, casting the vision for what we were believing to accomplish in that year. Habakkuk 2:2 says "Write the vision, make it plain so that he who reads it can run with it." While cleaning out my office closet, I found this old Vision Board that Ron not only wrote the vision but he made it plain by clipping out photos of what he was believing for.

Here are some of his Vision 2008 specifics:
Home on a lake -- bought that home in Sapulpa. Check.
TEAM 2008 -- His sister and bro-in-law in business with us. Check. Our family altogether on a family vacation. (Took a cruise) Check
Becoming proficient at fly fishing. Check.
New laptop computer. Check.
Missions trip and teaching pastors in Belize. Check
Working with the Joshua Child Development Center. Check.

But, several things on that Vision Board DIDN'T come about. Sometimes, our best laid plans and goals don't come to pass. But that's when, those of us who trust in God and His best "bucket list" for our lives, defer to "His ways are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:9)

Think about Mary, Jesus' Mother, and what her bucket list might have looked like. We know she had a goal to get married to Joseph because they were engaged, and she probably was already getting her beautiful wedding gown made and maybe she was already practicing writing her new name -- Mrs. Joseph -- and she probably dreamed of the day when she would have a baby -- probably thinking about calling him Joseph Junior. But all those dreams still had to make way for God's "bucket list". Mary's greatest accomplishment happened when she put aside her own goals and said "YES" to whatever God's bucket list had on it.

Mary shows us that saying "yes" to God's plan for our lives can be far more rewarding -- and surprising -- than any list we could ever come up with. We hope that we don't have the challenges and hardships that Mary had, but then again, who else could say that "a simple 'yes' made her the Mother of our Creator, our Savior and our Lord?

Let's continue to set goals, cast vision, dream big dreams, live with audacious and unwavering faith......BUT -- let's stay open to God's Master Plan for our lives and be willing to trade in our bucket list for His. The best news is....His list comes with great rewards -- peace, joy, happiness AND life everlasting, as well as GREAT adventures and excitement of having a really awesome relationship with Almighty God.

Here For A Purpose and Assignment

I am a very busy woman. That's on purpose. I am passionate about life and squeezing out every drop of it that I can. Not only do I work as a marketing representative showing visitors the wonderful community where I live, but I'm a member of another company where I get to share an amazing opportunity that changes people's lives. I serve in various capacities at two different churches. I have a Life Group that meets in my home every Thursday. I'm a Board Member of a non-profit organization, an Advisor on another, as well as serve on two committees in my community. I speak and/or teach at events and organizations. I mentor and counsel some precious people. I post each day about something that might help someone. And, best of all, I'm on beckoned call when my kids call for my help. In fact, I'm in Texas, right now, helping my precious daughter and family move into their beautiful new home.

Last week, one of my friends asked, "Aren't you so tired? You just do too much -- after all you're supposed to be retired?" My response, "Where did you hear that from? I have no intention of EVER retiring. In fact, every day I refire with passion to do even more!! If I'm not dead; I'm not done. I fully intend to go out in a blaze of glory!"

I heard Joyce Meyer say, "Don't be always talking about 'If I can just make it through this old world to my mansion in the sky'. If that's what life is all about, the minute you got saved, God would have beamed you out of here! You are here for a purpose. You are not here just to take up space!"

I love that -- God's master plan is for us to live our life with excitement, enjoyment, determination, and zeal......and to fill that space with loving, caring and spreading God's love everywhere and to everyone! When my time here has ended, I'll know that I will have no regrets, because I gave it everything I had. Yes, I believe I'm here for a purpose and assignment.....and when my assignment here is completed, God WILL beam me out of here!