April 2013 Goals
Happy April, friends! I am grateful to be starting this month off on the right foot, immersed in the spirit of Easter weekend. Worshiping my Savior and all He has done for me left me in tears for the better part of church yesterday, and I would have it no other way. I can’t help but be moved by His love, victory, grace, and salvation that He generously gave to us when He laid down His life, then rose again. Hallelujah! I will forever and always wear waterproof mascara on Easter. (I did yesterday.) His loves leaves me completely undone.
This weekend I also have spent a lot of time with Will, I spent many hours outdoors (hello 8.5 mile run!), I spent time in the kitchen cooking, and I spent lots of time with family. Oh it is good to rest and be renewed.
You also know that April begins the Contentment Challenge! I am so thrilled for each of you who are bravely joining me in this challenge. It’s going to be good, friends… I can feel it. Don’t forget to include the #contentmentchallenge hashtag as we journey through this together!
The Contentment Challenge : April
Theme: Generosity
Memory Verse: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (above)
Activity Challenge: The verse above says to “be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share. In this they will lay up treasure for themselves as a FIRM FOUNDATION for the coming age (ie: the #contentmentchallenge), so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.”
The first activity challenge is to clean out your closet and give a lot of your clothes away!
What?! I’m giving up shopping for 3 months and the first challenge is to get rid of more stuff?
YES. That’s exactly what I want you to do. By doing so, we are laying a firm foundation for what the Challenge is all about! Generosity, gratitude, and replacing cheap materialism and consumerism with activities that are fulfilling. And LET ME TELL YOU: there is nothing more fulfilling than giving things away!
To make this even more meaningful, I’m suggesting that you find ministries that you love and donate your clothes there. Don’t just do a giant goodwill drop off because it’s easy. Look into a local battered women’s home, a homeless shelter, a family at your church who might need more clothing, or a faith-based ministry that aligns with your purpose in giving. The amount of clothing you give away is completely up to you, but I encourage you to give SOMETHING away. You’ll be so happy you did!
Each monthly activity that I challenge you to do will be something that I’ve already done myself, or I’m in the process of doing. When I cleaned out my closet this week, it made me realize all that I DO have. Even though I am giving much away, I am looking at my current wardrobe in a whole new way. I am so grateful for the clothes that I use regularly, and excited to find a new home for the clothes that I do not wear enough to justify keeping. I’m excited to drop off many of these clothes this week to people who need them more than I do.
Of course I’m continuing with my monthly goals, and I encourage you to do the same! Here are mine for April…
April Goals
Complete Month 1 of the Contentment Challenge (Are you with me?!)
15 in 12: Read Radical by David Platt
Take part in the May MTH clear-the-clutter challenge
Continue my social-media free weekends (except for Wedding days, which are work days for me)
Practice guitar 2x week + have my next guitar lesson
Ride 10 miles on my roadbike 3x this month
Sign up for my calligraphy class and watch at least 1 video
Incorporate shooting with my new Contax in my weddings this month
Continue my new exercise + eating lifestyle. (Loving my life right now!)
I can’t wait to see all that April has in store. And please, comment away! Your honesty and thoughts are so appreciated. Be sure to link below if you’ve blogged your monthly goals. I’m also curious to know… what book(s) have you decided to read as we journey through this challenge together?
Let’s do this, April!