31 Days: We Want You!

You guys, we’re going for it. We’re making October a thing, and we’re inviting you along with us. What is this “thing,” you ask?

Let’s start at the beginning. Way back in August, The Nester (who we love and adore) announced that this would be the fifth year she’ll be writing about a topic for 31 days through the month of October and inviting others to join in on the fun. The best part is everyone picks their topic. And there’s something that God has been laying on my heart like Crazytown USA for the past few weeks.

So while I had all sorts of ideas about what we could write about for 31 days, I think He’s changing the plans. If that picture at the top didn’t give it away, I’ll spill it here. We’re going to be using the month of October to wildly, unabashedly, probably barefoot-ly pursue More of God’s Best and Less of the Mess.

I read this in a Beth Moore book yesterday (if you didn’t notice, I’m on a kick right now), and it basically sums it up perfectly:

I don’t know why, but it drives me nuts that people stay in bad places when they don’t have to. That is a big part of what makes a pit a pit. Feeling stuck. I guess it drives me nuts to see them living in those pits because I’ve been there. I was stuck quite a while myself before I realized I didn’t have to stay there. And now that I’m no longer stuck, I want everybody else out of that trap. – Beth Moore, Get Out of That Pit

I know this world will never be perfect, and belieeeve me, I’ve given up striving for a perfect life years ago. BUT, we do have access to something even better than an earthly heaven, and that’s our Father’s guidance through His Holy Spirit leading us into a perfect eternity. It starts right here, right now. Guidance that says, “Hey, I see you right where you are. And if you stick with Me, I want to help you through this thing called life. I want to give you more of My best and less of the mess.”

right click. print as a memory verse. you know how it works.

Does the best mean a trouble free life? Not even close. But I do believe it means a purposeful life. A redeemed life. And a life that’s used for His glory. It also means a lot of peace. Because that’s something He promises.

I have been this person sticking around in places I don’t need to stick around, both literally and figuratively. I have been that person needing more of His best and less of the mess.  And by have been, I mean like right now. There are specific, clear cut ways I feel the Lord calling me to His best – in my thought life, my home life, my work life, my money life, my health, and even on this here blog. I bet if we come together and encourage each other on, by pausing to acknowledge His best or share ways we’re following Him into His best, we’ll feel something start to blossom: hope, joy, gratitude, and all sorts of fruit of the Spirit. And we’ll be reminded that we don’t have a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and a sound mind.

SO… this is where we need you! We’ll be exploring how we experience God’s best now and how we’re working towards God’s best in every area of our lives. And we want to do this as a community. Because that’s why we’re here, right?

How does it work?

We’ll get the party started on October 1st, and will be linking up over at The Nester’s place. If you’re a blogger, you can join in on the fun there, too. You’ll see us Tweeting with #31Days and tagging stuff 31 Days so we can all follow along. And we’ll be using the button below in all of our posts and in The Nester’s link up. From then we’ll write often (maybe even everyday!) about ways we’re aiming to experience God’s best. We’re talking simple and small things, and this is where you come in.

How do you participate?

We want this to be about ALL of us. We want to do it with you. Email us a photo and a couple words (or more!) about an area where you’re experiencing God’s best or would like to experience God’s best. Keep it simple unless you want to go deep. God’s love is all around us, so we’re not looking for perfection. You’ll see exactly what we’re looking for on October 1st, but if you want to submit something before then, go for it.

Here are a few examples of what we’re thinking…

I see God’s best in big beautiful skies.

I’m working towards God’s best in my finances.

I feel God’s best when I hug my kids at night.

I see God’s best in my best friend. I don’t know what I’d do without her.

I experience God’s best in a warm home cooked meal. [Or maybe in a fast and delicious store bought meal? Just sayin’…]

This book I’m reading right now is definitely one of God’s best.

If you don’t have a picture, send it in anyway, and we’ll find one for you. Other stuff you can include: Your name or initials (we’ll sign the post however you sign your email) and a photo of yourself if you want to. Hey, we never mind featuring your beautiful mugshots.

We’ll run your picture and your words with the #31Days button at the bottom. We’ll post it on FB, and we’ll celebrate God’s best together.

Why should you  participate?

Because it’s fun, it’s easy, it’s free, and we’ll get to surround ourselves with reminders of God’s best and maybe a little inspiration to keep pursuing, enjoying, and sharing His best together.

If we know you, do you have to participate?

Yes. No. But really, yes. We’re doing this together.

We love you guys. We love your comments, your emails, your Pins, Facebook messages, Tweets, and most of all your selves. We love doing this thing online with you. In the eight months since we launched gospel girls, we’ve totally seen that it’s such an “us” thing – all of us here and even those of you we haven’t met yet. We’re really looking forward to counting down #31Days of God’s best, and we’re excited to be doing it together.

We still have a few days before it all goes down. Here’s to 31 Days to More of God’s Best!

Follow along with 31 Days to More of God’s Best and Less of the Mess with the handy dandy outline at the bottom of this post or click the button below.