Bucket List

I’m not sure when the term “bucket list” was first coined.  It only entered my vocabulary after seeing the “The Bucket List” starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman.

Though I haven’t sat down and formally created my own list, I like the idea of dreaming up the things I’d like to do before I die.  The things that I might see and accomplish and try before I “kick the bucket.”

With some inspiration from Chick-fil-A, my list is starting with “dance in the rain” instead of “climb Mt. Everest.”  Here’s how that came to be.

This week I took my kids to grab a quick lunch at Chick-fil-A.  (as an aside…I pray you live in close proximity to a Chick-fil-A.  Hands down the best chicken sandwiches I have eaten. And don’t get me started on the Chick-fil-A sauce!)

We found ourselves in possession of a small paper bag filled with a children’s meal.  Like most chains, Chick-fil-A takes the opportunity to use these bags to communicate with the folks who frequent their restaurant.  On this bag, the chicken gurus placed a suggested activity for parents and children to do together.

Create a “Family Fun Bucket”.  

• build a fort
• star gaze
• play Frisbee
• camp in the backyard
• etc.

I thought, “this is a literal bucket list, without the motivation of death to get us going.”

So, I completely surprised the kids and declared, “Let’s do this!”  We left Chick-fil-A and headed to a hobby store.  With supplies in hand, we cruised home and set to making our own family fun bucket.  We added our own flair and as we wait for the paint to dry, we’re thinking up all the fun stuff we want to add to our clothespins.  Very exciting!  (we weren’t the only ones inspired.  check out this example)

Now I’m wondering…what about a Church Fun Bucket?

What would we write on a clothespin?  What activity would folks in the church come together to do?  Could it feel like as much fun as “splash in the rain” or “catch fireflies”?

• invite a neighbor to church
• forgive someone who hurt you
• serve a meal to the homeless
• write a note of encouragement
• take a prayer walk

Would any of the clothespins be filled with activities we couldn’t accomplish on our own?

• build an orphanage
• open a school
• plant a community garden
• bring water to a village
• supply bed nets to an entire country

I’m so going to do this at the church I serve.  Can’t you just imagine the excitement of folks sharing their hearts in such a real and tangible way?

As for you, imagine you have a clothespin in your hand right now.  What words do you want to scrawl across its surface?  What’s stopping you from dropping that clothespin in a bucket and making the dream a reality?

Life is better together,
Shawn