Challenge of the Month

July's Challenge of the Month..

I AM STRONG

because I know my Weaknesses

I AM BEAUTIFUL 

because I am aware of my Flaws

I AM FEARLESS

because I learnt to recognize, illusion from real

I AM WISE

because I learn from Mistakes

I AM A LOVER

because I have felt Hate

and...

I CAN LAUGH 

because I have known Sadness

This month's challenge is to help us learn a valuable lesson....

We cannot love anything or anyone, if we do not first love ourselves. 

How are we going to use a challenge to help drive this lesson into our everyday life? Simple, we are going to use a plant. 

Plants are beautiful. They can brighten a room, make someone happy, show that we care, and bring a feeling of new life. But they are also delicate. Without the right amount of sun, water, and shade they will wilt. They must be cared for and groomed. 

In our walk with God we too are like a plant. We must be watered daily by prayer, feed often with the word, and when we have rotten spots, they must be cut away.

This is where the challenge will start. It's not hard, and anyone can do it!

Here is what you need:

• A plant
• 30 days
• A Bible
• Time

So now that you know what you need, let us explain the what to do:

• Step 1: Pick a plant. This is going to be something you have to consider. God created plants for us. In this way, your plant will be a symbol of you. You can either pick your favorite flower/plant or look up the meaning for each plant and pick one that matches you. Here is a link that will explain what each flower/plant means. Have fun picking one out!!
• Step 2: Care for your plant. This is where the challenge really comes in. Once you have your plant, you now have to care for it. But, unlike normal gardening there is a catch. To care for your plant you must care for yourself as well. To grow in our walk with God, we are going to use our plants to help build that connection. When you need to feed your plant, you must feed yourself. How? Easy, you pray and read your Bible. That's all it is to it! 
• Step 3: Watch your plant and walk grow. It will be hard at first to remember to read and pray before watering your plant. But that's ok. It will get easier. As we watch the flowers/plants grow into beautiful creations of God, we will also see ourselves bloom in the word. 

Also, keep in mind..NO CHEATING! If you do not read your bible or pray, you can not water your plant! 

That is all you have to do! See, we told you it would be easy. 

With this challenge, we will learn to love ourselves as God loves us. We will see the beauty of God's creation in both the flower, and ourselves. 

As a little bit of extra fun, if you participate in this challenge and wish to show off your plant, feel free to send us a picture and we will post it on our site! 

Although this is a monthly challenge, that does not mean it has to end. Once you have a flower/plant, don't let it die. Keep it, and yourself, well cared for!

Need a little extra help? Here are a couple of verses worth reading and remembering:

"It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful. No, your beauty should come from within you- the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. this beauty will never disappear, and it is worth very much to God." 1Peter 3:3-4

"The lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:76