Empty Bucket List?

Do you have a bucket list? 

You know - a list of things you want to do before you "kick the bucket." 

I have one :
 - travel to Scotland
 - travel to France
 - publish a book √
 - ride in a hot-air balloon
 - learn to play an oboe
 - learn to spin/weave
 - see a whale up close
 - see a giraffe up close √
 - sail a big sailboat √
 - go to a writing conference √
 - own a general store
 - manage a campground with Randy
 - etc.

Recently, I've been re-thinking my goals. 

Those things are fun to think about , (and I don't think it's wrong to have dreams and goals) but something seemed "off." They made me feel selfish and greedy. I finally figured out what was wrong. I heard someone say, "It's too bad your mother didn't get to see the new granchildren before she died." I thought, "No, it's too bad the grandchildren didn't get to know her before she died." 

That's it! 

It's not what we experience before we die that is important, it's how we touch others while we are still on this earth. Seeing far-away places, learning new skills, and accomplishing goals aren't really important. They are "empty buckets." Yes, God may bless us by allowing us to experience these things, but they shouldn't be our goals in life. It's people that are important. Our dreams may be part of being a blessing to others, but they should be side benefits, not the main focus of our life.

What kinds of things should be on our list? 

- leading a soul to the Lord
- teaching a grandchild a Bible verse
- comforting a grieving friend
- witnessing to a neighbor
- encouraging a young mother
- praying until an enemy is a friend
- giving to brother in need
- seeing your children grow in the Lord
- building your marriage
- memorizing Scripture
- learning a new hymn
- etc.

"But lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,

and where thieves do not break through nor steal;

for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

(Matthew 6:20,21)