...and I have no intention of honoring it.
Okay, okay, I am just kidding. When I made the bet I was totally serious, and if he wins, I will make good on it (even if it is in gift card form),
But those of you who have been reading this blog since way back in April know that God has been moving on my heart, and one of the big ways He challenged me to take a risk is through beginning an Upward Soccer league at our little ol country church.
Since that decision I have been through a roller coaster of faith lessons and emotions. Sleepless nights abounded, excitement grew (and waned) hundreds of times over, people signed up ever so slowly, the rain came, and came, and came, and stopped, and a long list of other things that would probably not make much sense to you. All of this to say that even though I knew God was calling me to take this risk, I didn't exactly go into jumping for joy.
And in typical God fashion, He used the smallest mustard seed of faith and grew a soccer league.
Last week (literally, just last week) I doubted we would even get fifty kids signed up by the end of next week.
Today, we are over sixty.
In less than a week we have had over thirty kids sign up.
Over half of the kids signed up are from the community, and largely have no church home.
But I sit here with torn emotions. Part of me just wants to be thrilled at what God has already done, and the other part of me keeps whispering "100 kids" over and over and over.
You see, in a moment of faith and belief, early on in this process, I felt like God whispered that number to me. Maybe in preparation. Maybe in faith. Maybe just for me to see with His vision. Who knows.
All I know is that I have been very scared to say that number to anyone.
I don't want to have to explain why God didn't end up bringing 100 kids.
But I am done with that game. Ask Him yourself. Or pray for the thirty or so kids we still need to reach that number. Take your pick, but I am no longer keeping that number to myself.....
100 kids to love on.
100 kids to serve.
100 kids who have families with needs.
100 kids to have fun with.
100 kids.....
And whatever you do, don't ask Joe what the bet was.......he doesn't remember anyway!
Sunday, August 26, 2007
I made a bet with Joe...
Posted by Ashlee Liddell at 9:00 PM
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2 comments:
Like heck he doesn't! If we hit 150 you better bring your credit card, young lady, because you'll need it! :)
Mmm..., I can taste that bloomin' onion already. What I am not looking forward to is coaching three teams.
By the way, I was just going by past experiences. At the other church, even though the office was (supposed to be) always open, and it was (more or less) convenient for parents to sign up their children, we always received about 30% or so of our registrations during evaluations. I based my 150 number on the fact that 1) there is no competition in Needville, 2) it's not as convenient for people to register early without showing up on Sunday morning, 3) visibility of being located on THE major highway in the area, and 4) there are a billion kids everywhere you look around there. So, I am assuming that we receive approximately 60-70% of our total registrations during the evaluations period. Take 60 and divide by .3 or .4, and there you go. By the way, in some ways I hope we don't have that many kids, but on the other hand it would be hilarious to see Ashlee pass out or wet herself, and I really love Outback, so I'm torn. :)
Okay then, Greg just upped the anty....I will have to tell you his deal in person! Don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about him over this little blog....
and yes, i am sure it will be hilarious to see me if you are correct!
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