30-Day Giving Challenge

This morning, I saw this post on Keeping the Kingdom First.

It really hit my heart.

Lately, I've been feeling God whispering in my ear to stop being so darned stingy with our money and to start giving. He has blessed us with so much, especially considering Seth was laid off in April, and it's time we antied up.

Last weekend, while walking back to my car (from a bachelorette dinner/party on the Plaza) I saw a homeless man curled up with what seemed to be everything he owned, sleeping on a bus stop bench. I am embarrassed to admit, my first thought as I walked by was "please don't hurt me!" but then I started thinking about the movie The Pursuit of Happyness and my thoughts changed to "maybe he's just down on his luck or a lifetime of wrong choices have led him here."
At that moment, I felt God pushing me to reach into my purse and leave some money...a $10 bill to be exact...He was very specific that night.

But I didn't.

I kept walking.

Would $10 less in my pocket change the life of my family?
No.
Would $10 more in the pocket of that man change his life?
Maybe.

There is a chance he'd have blown it on cigarettes and liquor.
And there's also a chance he'd have spent it on a warm breakfast.

My inaction has weighed on my heart and when I saw the 30-Day Giving Challenge, I immediately started thinking of how we could give generously.

This challenge does not necessarily mean giving away money every day. It could be time or food, clothing or lending an ear for a lonely person. It's about what God is calling you to do, listening to Him and doing it! It's not about bragging and a look-at-what-I-did challenge, but a personal life-altering challenge.


I plan to blog each week about the opportunities that my family has encountered, but will keep what we gave private. Blogging will allow me to keep track of what we've done and how God has changed us for the better, and maybe it'll give some of you ideas on how to help others too!

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Here are a few ideas to get started:
- Knit or crochet a hat, blanket, mittens, whatever and donate to a homeless shelter
- For those who coupon, share your freebies and stockpiles with those in need. You know you won't use all 30 bottles of that shampoo in your stash!
- Those who enjoy baking or cooking can take cookies to neighbors or take a meal to someone who needs it.
- Visit someone in a nursing home who rarely has visitors. (although I'd call ahead and arrange it with staff first)
- Volunteer at a local food pantry.
- Carry gift cards to various chain restaurants (like McDonald's, etc...hey, they have healthy choices now!) and give those to homeless people on the street.

I'd love to hear what ideas you have rolling around in your head!

Are you up for the challenge?
I hope you'll join me!

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Psalm 41:1-2
Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; he will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes.

Matthew 6:1-4
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.