Monday Meditation

When Life Gives You a Blank Slate, Design a T-Shirt?

I knew I was in trouble when, five days into a new weekly blog series, I realized I had NO idea what I was going to write about for the second Monday Meditation post.  So I prayed.  Day six didn't bring any epiphanies.  So I prayed some more.  And just as I was about to sit down and slog through something, anything, I came across an inspired idea in my Internet procrastination research.

Back story:  I've been ignoring some holy nudges to get more involved in helping people dealing with challenges in our community.  Challenges like generational poverty, institutional racism, learning gaps, domestic abuse, and neighborhood violence.  Challenges that seem overwhelming and daunting from the perspective of one little individual.  So, like the coward that I am, I ignored God's proddings.

Do you ever do that?

You know what happens next, right?  The nudges get sharper.  Louder.  More frequent.  More urgent.

Still my head went deeper into the sand.  And my voice came out in a muffled complaint of a prayer.

But God, I have so much on my plate and volunteering more goes against the need to earn more and, oooooooghhh, where and how is this going to fit in?

This morning God gave a clear and definitive answer.  Little bits, dear Liz.  Little bits.

Pick one issue.  Do one thing.  Start somewhere.

Sure, it might not fly.  But it just might.  (Can you tell I've been watching Kid President again?  When I hear that darling Robby Novak say "Be Awesome" enough times, I start to think about little  things I can do to help others.)

So I'm sticking my neck out, and it's looking like this.

Wait a second... there's no neck there!  Oy.  This could be a bad omen.  This could mean I might get decapitated.
And look — de-arm-itated, too.  No limbs!  

More back story: I started making Momnipotent T-shirts (kind of like the one above) five years ago for our annual church bazaar.  Hand stamped casual tees with a verse printed at the hip. Fun to do.  Fun to wear.  But all that hand-stamping got a little old. That and I've still got about six left in sizes or colors that no one wanted.  I don't like closet clutter. So I abandoned the effort.

But every time I wear one of those shirts, I get positive comments.  I do like positive comments.

So when I read Dale Partridge's blog post about how he made over $33K in one month, and noticed a little blurb about making tee shirts on Represent.com, I had to check it out.  (A family can only live on public sector salary and cobbled-together income for so long before entrepreneurial dreaming sets in...)

With Momnipotent tee shirt thoughts rattling around in my head, and stuffed-aside qualms about volunteering in the inner city tucked into some cranial corner, God brought the two together with this welcome from Represent.

Whether you're representing a charity, group, or personal passion, Represent enables you to generate funds for free — no hassle, no risk.

Oh.  Charity.  Philanthropic giving.  Well yeah, God, that makes sense.  I could start a T-shirt campaign and raise funds for moms...  Yes!  Moms who are dealing with difficult struggles.  Domestic abuse victims.  I even know of a good non-profit that could use more funds to support those families.  

I'm pretty sure God muttered "Doh!" and slapped his forehead at that point.

Then that little fiery red guy who likes to sit on my shoulder and spew self doubt chimed in.

thinnerandwiser.wordpress.com

Who do you think you are?  Oprah?  How are you going to make any difference by selling a few T-shirts?  

Well, little devil dude, I'm not sure.  But I'm going to pray about it.

With that and a well aimed flick of my finger, I sent him flying off his perch.  And I prayed.  And I... Well, I didn't get the clear-cut booming voice of God granting his blessing.  But I did get a rush of excitement and a warm fuzzy sense of peace.  

Sorry.  That's a lot of rambling to get to the pitch.  But I wanted to make sure God got the proper credit for weaving my prayers and doubt and creativity into something he could work with.

The Pitch!

From now until December 1, 2014 (just three weeks from today), you can order a Momnipotent T-shirt or tank top for $18.00 from Represent.  Half of all the profits will go to Domestic Abuse Project, which supports families dealing with domestic abuse.  If we reach the goal of selling 50 items, your order will be shipped within 12 days of the December 1st deadline.  (If we don't hit 50, no shirts, no cost to you.)  To reach this goal, I'm bugging telling everyone in my contact book about this campaign. Won't you share it with a friend or two as well?

Order your Momnipotent tee or tank by clicking here!

In the meantime...

• If you are looking for a comfy T-shirt, something that says in effect "I am Mama, hear me roar!" this shirt is for you.  If you are looking for something that reminds you of a blessed bit of Scripture (Philippians 4:13) to get you through those less roar-ific motherhood moments, you want this tee.  If you want something in your wardrobe that feels like you are clothing yourself in Christ, this is a good garment for you.
• If you are looking for a gift for a dear friend, a daughter-in-law, a wife — and if she has children anywhere from one day old to 61+ years wise — this is a unique present that lets her know you think the world of her parenting skills and her faith.
• If you know someone who is expecting her first child, this is a special welcome-to-the-club gift that says, "You can do it!  And when you fear you can't, God's carrying you in the palm of his hands!"
• And if you already have T-shirts  galore and no room in your dressers, will you please send up a little prayer for this project?  Thank you!

Lord,

You never cease to amaze me with your surprising, wondrous ways of working my weakness into your perfect power.  When I thought I was empty of ideas, you planted a new and faith-filled one in my heart.  Thank you, Lord.  

Thanks for all you do to counteract the challenges in our inner cities, our suburbs, our rural communities.  Thanks for all the ways you work through individual people to reach those in need of a helping hand or a listening ear or an understanding heart.  

Thanks for your loving shelter of families who are struggling with domestic abuse. Watch vigilantly over the women, men, and children who fear emotional and physical violence.  Soften the hands and hurting words of those who inflict such abuse.  Get them the help they need.

Thanks for organizations like Domestic Abuse Project that faithfully and tirelessly work to support families in these times of crisis.  I am grateful for the ways they empower people to make a change, the ways they offer their counseling and advocacy services to help families find peace.

Lord, I pray that you are working in and through this simple, little T-shirt campaign. May it glorify you and the many ways you take humble human efforts and use them to accomplish your higher goals.

Amen.

Today I'm linking up with Anita at BlessedButStressed.com for her Inspire Me Monday collection, as well as Kelli at Chronicles of Grace, who hosts the Unforced Rhythms community on Mondays.  These writers are blessings in the Christian blogging community.  If you've got a minute, stop by their sites for some sacred stillness.