But be careful. If you're real, people might lose confidence in what you're doing. They might think your organization is not a bonafide ministry. It's scarey being real ... risky. But somewhere along the line, I made a vow to be real. And not try to live up to anybody's expectations.
OK ... We planned these 2 huge events ... one in the city where we go to church and one in our little hometown. The city said "Yeah, bring it on!" Businesses donated over 40 Gift Certificates ... thank you! Gave us a beautiful park area to host our 5K run. I worked my tail off for 3 weeks organizing this 5K ... 30 people came. Thud. But still ... God was glorified, and we had a great time.
Yesterday, we had our 5K and All Community Donated Yard Sale. Our little hometown (1500 people max) required us to have a million dollar insurance policy to host our event in the park. OUCH. We prayed about it, received counsel and went ahead. The Police and Fire Department came out to help with traffic control. We put up signs at every intersection ... 1 person came. Heavy Groan. 5K Run cancelled. Trying not to be embarressed. Owner of the town newspaper was there to take photos. He said, "It's hard to run in Cowboy Boots". We laughed.
The Yard Sale went well, people were very generous and donated all kinds of awesome stuff. Someone donated a King Size log furniture bed, like what I've always wanted but could never afford. No one bought it, Praise God. But at the end of the day, most of the money we raised, went to pay the insurance policy. Almost all of us were sick and trying to make it through the day, kids strung out all over the park, in the shade sleeping ... a very long day. I can hardly walk.
But ... we were able to invite 2 people to our new House Church that starts next week. Many people were touched and blessed us with encouraging words about what we are doing. Actually, thanking us for what we were doing. And again, God was glorified.
OK ... so when you ask ... "How did it go?" What do I say? "It sucked. Disappointing. Exhausting. Depressing. What a waste of energy." Or do I say, "God was glorified. We saw Him in the faces of the donors. We heard His voice with every encouragement. We felt His peace. He makes all things work together for my good."
It was both ...
It was God's idea to do these events .. a whisper I heard in my sprirt. I obeyed. So ... "Well done my good and faithful servant ... now enter into my rest." Today, I think I won't even get out of this chair.
Who knows what God is doing behind the scenes when we obey Him and it doesn't appear to be so great an idea on the outside. I guess we'll know in heaven. We're only supposed to obey ... It wasn't our event, it was His.
So ... it was a fundraiser and we were hoping for a few thousand dollars like the event we did 2 years ago. Not so. But we obeyed. That's all I know. God is still good. He will provide. Our hope is not in our own strength. Our hope is in the Lord.
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