Do you have a bucket list? You know, that list of things you want to do or places you want to go before you "kick the bucket." If not a bucket list, perhaps you have a "One of these days" list. Fill in the blank, one of these days, I'd like to __________.
For the Christian, there's no hurry or time limit to such lists because we know that the end of our life here on earth is not the end. Those things we'd like to do or places we'd like to see are opportunities we can look forward to in the new heavens and new earth. Because of that, I tend to keep a "one of these days" kind of list.
What's on that list? Well, one day, I'd like to take a drawing class. I'd like to go to seminary. I'd like own a cabin in the mountains. I'd like to learn to bake things that don't come in a box.
And I'd like to visit Israel.
This month, our family has the opportunity to go on a trip to Israel with a group from church. We are excited to see the places we've only read about in Scripture—to see where David and Goliath fought, the town where Jesus was born, the places where he taught and performed miracles, and the olive grove where he cried out to his Father in prayer. I am also excited to share those places with my children.
I see this trip as more than just a vacation but as an opportunity for spiritual growth. I am praying that what we see and learn will enrich our faith and draw us closer to our Savior. My kids and I will be journaling each day about what we've seen and learned and I look forward to sharing some of those thoughts and reflections with you.
If you'd like to follow our journey on Instagram, you can find me there @christinarfox.