Vanessa Hawk

“Strong reasons make strong actions.”

-William Shakespeare

When I came across this quote the other day it really rang true for me.  Think about it:

ACTION: You down a small, frozen pizza BY YOURSELF.

REASON:  You skipped breakfast and your stomach is making annoying sound effects.

ACTION:  After work you book it straight to the gym and jump on a treadmill while praying that you’ll sweat off 5 pounds.

REASON:  You had to suck in your gut while doing an embarrassing dance in order to button your pants this morning.

ACTION: You find out when Kohls is having their “BIGGEST SALE EVER” and buy new pants.

REASON:  You don’t want to be attached to a treadmill for the rest of your life.

 See, when we really feel we have a reason to do something, we simply DO IT!  Now, I know it’s been a few weeks since we’ve pledged towards the CRAZY Campaign and the passion and zeal is starting to fade, but we can’t forget our REASON for pledging. Everyone’s reason is different.  Some wanted to test their faith, some wanted to learn dependency on God, and some just simply felt the tug to obey.  Even though our Strong reasons are different, our Strong action is the same, BE CRAZY!

Meet Jason and Becky.  This is the most selfless couple I think I know.  They moved to the Kansas City area last year and decided that they wanted to come on board and be a part of the EPIC team.  So, in this economy, they moved from a very stable environment with a nice home, good jobs, family and friends and came to a place where they had no jobs, no home, and very little family and friends.  As they became settled in, Becky found a job as a care provider at a daycare, but Jason was having a hard time finding a job.  Instead of being discouraged, Jason and Becky were always at church with smiles on their faces, ready to serve.

Well, prayers were answered and Jason not only found a job, but a job that he was excited about!  He was hired on as a salesman for a company that sells trailers, trailer hitches, etc. and he is really good at it.  He likes the people he works with, has kind words to say about his boss, and has a schedule that fits his and Becky’s lifestyle.   So, when my husband told me, “Jason called and had news to tell me about his job,” my heart fell into my stomach.  I just knew it was bad news.  But, I was COMPLETELY wrong.

Just TWO weeks after Jason and Becky made their commitment to the CRAZY campaign God opened a BIG door.  Jason was called into his boss’ office after only two months of working there and his boss basically told him,”I know we have you on a 90 day probation period, but you’re one of my best salesmen and we want to make you permanent.”  Now that in and of itself is great news, but it doesn’t stop there.  His boss went on to discuss a pay raise to go along with the job offer!  What?!  In this economy, that is amazing!  Jason told his boss about the CRAZY campaign and how he knew that this was God providing for he and Becky. But, that’s not all.  Jason and Becky have been praying and searching for the perfect home for them to settle into and this past week they found it!  God is good.  Needless to say, Jason and Becky have had a pretty CRAZY week and I’m pretty sure their not the only ones…Stay tuned. 

This week has been AMAZING!  Bobby and I have heard story after story about how God is providing resources for funds for the Crazy Campaign.  It’s one thing to just believe that God is going to move, but it’s another to actually see it happening.  Our God is great!  And be encouraged that when there seems to be NO way, God moves.  He has no limitations!  Nothing is impossible for Him.  Stay tuned to hear the stories and see just how cool it is to be CRAZY!

So, I learned a bit of a lesson this week pertaining to the CRAZY campaign.  After church last Sunday, Bobby and I started to discuss our “game plan” for how we were going to raise the money for our pledge.  We started with what we could cut back on.  We talked about our grocery bill, how much we eat out, what we spend on entertainment…. You get the picture.  In the midst of discussing all of this Bobby says, “And I’ll give up my allowance.  What about you?”  Now, I know it sounds silly that two grown adults have allowances, but it is really something that has worked for us for almost six years now.  We get an allotted amount of money, not much, but all the same it’s ours to spend however we would like without having to “check in” with each other before the purchase.  And it’s a BIG deal to me.  I LOVE to shop.

 Now, I would love to tell you that when my husband turned to me to ask me to do my part and give up my “allowance” also that I totally stepped up to the plate and said, “Count me in!”  That is simply not the case.  Instead I said, “Well, I’m still thinking about it.”  Now, Bobby could’ve put a guilt trip on me or put his foot down and made the decision for me, but instead he just nodded his head and said, “O.k., well don’t feel that you have to.”  The rest of the night was TORTURE for me.  I knew that I was being selfish and greedy.  The words that Pastor Kevin Weaver had preached kept echoing in my head, “Give as much as you can, as fast as you can.”  Needless to say, I had an awful night’s sleep.

 As I was getting ready for work the next morning  I REALLY thought about those words, “Give as much as you can, as fast as you can”, and I chuckled.  I said to myself, “Vanessa, you better just give it up quick because if you don’t you’ll talk yourself into holding onto it.”  So, right then and there I told Bobby to count me in.  It was like ripping off a bandaid.  You know it’s going to hurt, but once it’s off you feel relieved.  I know that I’m not going to be able to hit the ground running when Kohl’s announces their “BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR”, but I can lay my head on the pillow every night knowing that I’m doing my part in the commitment that I’ve made.  So, as you’re figuring out your “game plan” don’t forget to “Give as much as you can, as fast as you can” otherwise you might just talk you’re way out of being CRAZY!