The King's Slogan

"Keep calm and carry on."

This phrase was the propaganda slogan that the UK took on during World War 2. They would hang up posters with the slogan on it in London and other areas of the UK.  (The crown that is on top of the slogan is the crown of King George VI). That's pretty cool. Not that they were facing the onslaught of WW2, but the phrase itself. It basically doesn't deny the fact that crap happens, but it is a motto of endurance. Through good times and bad. Persevering when it's easy and when it's unbearably hard. I love the honesty this slogan carries.

But in my situation, with raising financial support to fund my ministry with Cru (a college ministry organization here in the US and across the world on various college campuses), I would tweak the slogan a bit, (as many have) to "keep calm and trust God." I've tried to make this my "slogan" to live by this summer as I have been raising support for this ministry with college students. And for the most part, I've failed miserably. When support hasn't gone my way my first instincts were to control, worry and to get angry. Yes, yes I know, I'm not the most patient person. At all. Like, really. 

So knowing this, as you can imagine, God has grown me a lot through this whole raising support process. And boy did I have a lot of growing to do! And thus, I have comprised a list (again) of the top 10 things that I have learned from this experience so far. 

1. Keep calm and trust God. I still don't really know how to do this. I am impatient, I prefer to have control, and I tend to have an ungrateful heart. I am really trying to find a balance with this.
2. Walk by faith, not by sight. Sometimes this statement rubs me the wrong way. When people mention doing something by faith, I imagine an undertone of being lazy and not really doing anything. Just waiting for the results to come "by faith". But Hebrews 11 shows a different definition of what walking by faith really is. It is doing what God is leading you to do yet trusting that He is with you through it all. As God has lead me to interning with Cru, He will lead me through raising this support. To 100%. Even if I can't see it from where I am now. 
3. Not everything will go according to plan. Oh, I know this one all too well. Something that I have had to accept. And it hasn't been easy. Basically, God's timing and my timing are two totally different things. And His is better than mine.
4. Admit frustration, deal with it, and MOVE ALONG..., move along like I know you do.... AAR anyone?? Anyway, it's fine to share your frustrations with others but I've learned that sometimes too much venting can leave frustrations not completely dealt with. You think that you are fine but something can trigger those flames of frustration and they can flare up! Outta nowhere!!
5. Find a hobby. Please. Well, I've picked up blogging and painting. It's good to have a mental break from thinking about support raising (even when you are writing about it). Unfortunately, I've set my hobbies aside these past few weeks because I freaked out so much about support. Not having this mental break is probably why I freaked out. 
6. The Essence of Boldness. Being upfront with people when asking them to consider supporting my ministry is the best way. Having people be upfront with me is refreshing. It makes it less awkward. If you are relaxed, comfortable and bold, they will be relaxed, comfortable and honest. 
7. Go to sleep. Otherwise you will be cranky and unpleasant and no one would care to be around you.
8. Pray like never before. I probably say a prayer about support every hour of the day that I am awake. No joke. 
9. Don't worry... be happy! This may sound simple and maybe a little naive, but I am learning that happiness (along with a positive attitude) does wonders for your wellbeing. 
10. You only get what you give. Support raising is a lot of work! Living by faith requires action!

A few months ago, a friend told me that raising support will either be relatively easy or the hardest thing that I've done. And how right they were! I'm not done raising support yet, and by the grace of God, I will be jumping up and down rejoicing when I am. :)