If you've read my past couple of blogs you know how I feel about fundraising... it's HARD.

Read: WHY I'm Raising Money if you haven't.

But what I REALLY want you to know, is it's really worth it. This blog isn't meant to emotially manipulate, guilt or shame, or pull your arm to do something that you don't feel called to. But it is meant to be a little bit of a wake up call if you're not giving financially because you don't want to. And that's the big difference - not feeling called verses just not wanting to part with your money.

Now before you throw your hands up and stop reading, hear this:

I don't care where/who/to what you donate to, I just want to challenge you to find something and actually invest in what they're doing. 

Matthew 6:21: "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

Stop letting American consumerism and independence steal the joy that comes when you're willing to slightly loosen your death grip on your wealth and turn the focus outward for just a hot second.

That probably sounds harsh, and maybe it is. But I challenge you to find the untruth in it.

I'd love to welcome you into a part of my process. For the past couple of weeks I've been fasting from buying things (other than food). I'd realized that I went to buying things when I was stressed or wanted to feel comforted. Before you go on to assume that I was spending thousands and charging everything on credit, it actually looked more like buying a mug at Marshalls one day and then buying another dog toy the next and then maybe some mason jars the next. I could have easily justified those purchases because I drink coffee everyday and Molly really needs more enrichment in her life, and I'm making Kombucha so I need jars, right? But did I really NEED them? What's the difference between need and want? Where's the line between entitlement and buying a mug because I really like mugs and they make me really happy (true.)? Is there even a line between those two? 

This blog slightly deviatated from it's original purpose (okay, it's way different), but that tends to happen when you're following the Lord. BUT, pro tip: the deviation is usually much better than the original plan.

Did you find yourself nodding along at any point? Is there something that's holding you back from the joy that comes from holding your hands open--trusting that the Lord can both give and take? Is the Lord whispering anything into your heart right now? Listen to his voice--it's the best decision you'll make today.

Thoughts? Comments? Challenges? Lemme know below or send me an email: allisonhultquist@adventures.org