The WRITE 31 DAYS Challenge: 31 Days, Every Day, One Topic
Day 1
I’ve heard of the 31 Days Writing Challenge for years and I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of taking one topic and focusing in on it for a whole month. This year I decided to jump in and use the 31 days of October to share my Old Things New story. My story of becoming the person who God created me to be.
WARNING: This story doesn’t resemble a Hallmark movie. Not even a little bit! The characters are more 3-dimensional, less predictable, and some even fall under the label of “notorious sinners.” (Luke 15:1 NLT)
What’s so special about me and my story? Not all that much really. I’m not a big time writer or speaker. I don’t have a huge number of people eagerly awaiting my emails in their inboxes. I’m just a regular ol’ person with a story that’s unique, just like your story is unique to you.
But what I’ve learned along the way is that when God lays something on your heart and urges you to do it, it’s always better to be obedient to listen to His voice. Besides, my (God) story isn’t mine to keep. The Bible tells me in II Cor. 1:3-4 that even as embarrassing as some parts of my story might be, it’s meant to be shared with others who might need to hear what I have to say.
I am not the Patti I once was and believe you me, some of those who “knew me when” wouldn’t recognize the person that I’ve become!
Thank God. He took me from broken to beautiful, and blessed me to bless others. Share on XMy journey has taken me along many roads, smooth-paved freeways to pot-holed paths. There were times when I wandered off and lost myself but God never lost me, and He always gently guided me back to where I was meant to be.
By the way, I’m not saying that I’ve fully arrived, because it seems to me that when we get to a resting place in our journey, and start to settle in and get a little too comfortable, God is soon nudging us on to the next thing! We are all works in progress, being transformed (hopefully) from glory-to-glory. (II Cor. 3:18)
Now just so this 31 days doesn’t become all about me, I intend to throw in an Old Things New DIY or two, or three, along the way.
Today I’ll begin by introducing myself to those who don’t know me, or those who think they do and might find themselves surprised over the next 31 days:
I’m sometimes scattered, often last minute, and almost always hard on myself when I mess up; I am an introverted-extrovert who needs people until I get tired, and then I can hardly wait to be ALL BY MYSELF; I enjoy entertaining in my home better than going to other people’s homes, but still, I want you to invite me over so I feel included as your friend; I have a super clean car (it just came from the detailer) that will soon be a mess of red dirt paw prints on creamy leather seats and doggie boogers on the windows; I love food but not exercise, and I exercise out of necessity, not choice; I despise (yes, despise is a strong word and I’m still trying to work on the root of that) paperwork and paying bills but again, a necessity; one of my love languages is coffee with friends, especially friends who make me laugh because I LOVE to laugh; I adore my husband of twenty-five years, my two adult daughters, my son-in-law, my two dog buddies, my four grand kitties, and my grand puppy; the lake is my happy place.
MOST important of all, I am a child of God, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, healed, set free and delivered from sin and shame, blessed with a God-given purpose, anointed for that purpose, and sometimes bravely, sometimes not, dedicated to walking it out in my daily life.
If you’ve read this far I’m hoping that means you’ll come back tomorrow for DAY 2.
Blessings,
P.S. If you know someone who might need to hear a story of redemption please share the word!
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
SundaysAtHome, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SilverPenniesSundays, RusticAndRefined, Spiritual Sundays
Monday:
IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, TheDedicatedHouse, Dwellings, ProjectInspired, InspireMeMonday, CelebrateYourStory, What Joy is Mine/Monday Musings, Darling Downs Diaries, The Art of Homemaking, MomentsOfHope, Glimpses, SittingAmongFriends, InspireMeMonday, GodSizedDreams
Tuesday:
TalkOfTheTown, HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, CoastalCharm, CedarHillFarmhouse, TuesdaysAtOurHome, TheWinthropChronicles, Rich Faith Rising Unite Linky, Testimony Tuesday,Cheerleaders of Faith,Tell His Story
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, Woman to Woman Word Filled Wednesdays, Coffee for Your Heart, MessyMarriage, ThreeWordWednesday, WriterWednesday
Thursday:
ShareYourStyle, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, MyRepurposedLife, ADelightsomeLife, KatherinesCorner, Thought Provoking Thursday, SincerelyPaulas, ThoughtfulThursday, Tune-inThursday
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, TheCharmOfHome, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday, ShabbyliciousFriday, Faith’nFriends, Dance With Jesus FreshMarketFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, SaturdaySparks, TheInspirationGallery, Make My Saturday Sweet
Trisha Flaherty says
Beautiul day 1! I have a lot of those same qualities (not sure that’s the right word). I look forward to tomorrows post!
Patti says
Thank you for taking the time to comment Trisha. I’m so glad you enjoyed Day 1 and I hope the enjoyment continues.
Blessings 🙂
Diane Glass says
I Love Day 1!! We both LOVE to laugh, love coffee and friends, and are both introverted-extroverts who love to entertain. How fun is that?! I’m SO looking forward to Day 2!! ~xoxo
Patti says
Yay! Telling my story makes me nervous so I’m thankful that Day 1 was a hit with you Diane. So fun to find people we have things in common with. Blessings 🙂
Terri says
Excited to read the next post …Day 2 !! So glad to see you back in my “inbox”!! 🙂
Patti says
Ahhh, thank you Terri! I’m glad you’re joining me on my 31 day journey. Blessings!
Barbie says
Great post, and I look forward to reading more!
Tracy says
Patti, I love getting your emails in my inbox and today was no exception. You are just like everyone else, human. A child of God growing and learning everyday. Enjoy your post can’t wsit for the next post!
Tracy
Patti says
Thank you so very much Tracy. That is a blessings to me.
helloredds says
So true! When God puts something on our hearts – we need to do it!
Fun post about all of the things you enjoy and do.
Found your post on #heartencouragement.
I’m linking today for my friend Pam Blosser at journeytohim.com.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
Patti says
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my Day 1 post in the Write 31 Days Melanie! I hope you’ll pop back and read the rest of the story. 🙂
Blessings to you!
Michele Morin says
I love this list of facts!
And your life is waaaaay more interesting than a predictable Hallmark plot.
Patti says
It is indeed interesting Michele. I think most of us live pretty unpredictable lives and I’m thankful to God for every adventure He’s brought me on so far!
Blessings friend.
Sarah Geringer says
I love this: “one of my love languages is coffee with friends.” I don’t drink coffee–I’m a tea girl, but I agree with you wholeheartedly–there’s nothing better than face-to-face time with friends!
Patti says
Hooray for face-to-face time Sarah! I’m as happy to steep some tea as to brew a pot of coffee. Come on!
Debbie Kitterman says
just wanted you to know that you are being featured this week at #TuneInTHursday. 🙂 I have enjoyed the 31 days of your story and I am glad to see you linked up post #1 last week. Blessings
Patti says
Thank you SO much my friend. You are the best!