Many people have a bucket list of things to do in their lifetimes or before a certain age. A friend and I recently discussed creating a “before I enter the convent” bucket list. This might include eating our favorite foods (cannolis and pizza), getting lost in the woods (oh wait, we already did that), and going horseback riding. While pondering this list, it struck me that the attitude behind bucket lists is unhealthy and in that moment of realization my heart rejected creating one.
The danger of a bucket list is that it supports the idea that worldly things can fulfill us and make us happy. It also supports the idea that by entering the convent and living a life of poverty, I will be “missing out” on things. If being a religious Sister is my Vocation, and I am following the will of God, He will fulfill the deepest desires of my heart – which admittedly, do not include any of the things listed above (yes, even cannolis). I will probably get to go places and experience things which I cannot imagine right now. When we give everything to God, He gives back infinitely!
The only things that should be on my list are: Know, Love and Serve God, more and more everyday; Love everyone around me with His Heart.
If in the midst of spending time with loved ones there are cannolis, hiking, and horseback riding involved, then that will just be an added bonus!
Once we get to heaven, we’re not going to be thinking about how we should have visited the Grand Canyon or traveled to more countries. The only thing we might regret is not loving Him as faithfully as we should have. However, it is much more likely that we will be wordlessly basking in His Love!
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Cannolis. Ha! I knew we were missing something. On a hike, in the woods, over snakes, below cicadas, up a hill, no water, no food, with a bear. I wonder what would happen if you give a bear a cannoli…