Last Friday was our first fundraising deadline. We had to have $3,500 in our accounts. I don’t know if I made it.
Adventures in Missions breaks down our goal into deadlines so that we stay on top of our fundraising and so that they have the money to purchase plane tickets. As a professional procrastinator, I really appreciate their approach and the support we receive from AIM. You may be wondering why my blog says over $4000, that is a total of pledges made but not all of that is in the account yet.
Well, as you can imagine, last week our Fusion Facebook group was filled up with fundraising comments. More than a few of us were anxious about our looming deadline. In response one man suggested looking at this time not as fundraising but as FAITHraising. God wants to use this experience to stretch and strengthen our faith.
I love that, but each day I checked my account and each day I allowed frustration and anxiety to steal my joy and excitement. My focus on the account rather then on the Lord allowed the Enemy to poke at some doubts. It was Friday evening, my parents and I were preparing for Shabbat service, and I was in a storm of my own creation.
So Abba stepped in and took charge.
He said call your mentor. I meant to calmly update her on what was happening. I sobbed. She reminded me of Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”
That night at church one of the pastors shared updates on some struggles he has been facing and the two things he has learned through them: praise Him in the storms and ministering to others helps us forget our own struggles.
Saturday He showed me how I had made my account an idol, spending way too much time fixated on it. He has limited me to checking it once a week. Next Sunday I will know if I made my deadline.
Sunday (yes I now attend two churches and two services a weekend), pastor continued speaking on caring for each other and giving by looking at Paul (Philippians 4:10-20). God provided for His workers’ needs.
The best part, God said, “Start thinking about fundraising like a birthday with excited anticipation for what I am going to do.” This is all in His hands, and He is so much more capable than I. So this weekend I decided to have fun!
I went swimming in the lake. We watched a movie. I held my cat. My best friend called. Mom and I danced. Dad and I worked in the yard.
Sunday afternoon I started calling friends to follow up on the support letter I have been mailing out. It has been so sweet to chat with brothers and sisters. To get to know them better, catch up on the last several weeks, and share laughter and encouragement. It’s building community.
Don’t worry you are on my list, and I can’t wait!
