Welcome! New to this challenge? Find out about it here (and sign up so I can pray specifically for you!). Don’t worry if you are just getting started…you have only missed a bit! Jump right in! Find printables and links to the other posts here.
Don’t forget to work on your scripture memory. We want to have it memorized by tomorrow! (yours, or the one I have chosen, its here for a reminder):
“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.” I Peter 3:1-2
So you don’t “feel” like getting dressed everyday?…
Today’s topic in Sarah Mae’s book could not have come at a better time. I was going to write about this regardless of her topic. They match…isn’t in encouraging.
That is literally what it is…encouraging.
Accountability. You gals, this blog, my family. Accountability is the only way I will complete this.
Me? I don’t WANT to finish this challenge. Why? Because it is just easier not to. When life happens and I just don’t feel like getting out of bed. Life isn’t that easy and I am struggling emotionally. Perhaps I want to dress how I feel…frumpy.
Should you do it? Sometimes? Yes. It is good to give yourself a break.
Should you do it today? In the midst of the challenge?
No. You shouldn’t. And neither should I.
The enemy would love that. Your “self” would love that.
“I don’t feel like doing this. Why should I?” “Who am I doing this for, anyway”?
Don’t listen! You are doing this for YOU. You are doing this for your children, your husband, your friends at church, YOU.
You know how your children truly thrive with discipline? If we let them do everything they wanted, they may “seem” happy, but they would really be living in chaos and truly unhappy. Why is it any different for us?
Get dressed whenever you want. Wear whatever. Don’t do what anyone else wants you to look like. Don’t worry what others will think. Its YOUR world…do whatever you want!
I don’t know about you, but I think that sounds ridiculous. Selfish. What are we teaching our kids about taking care of themselves? What are we showing our husbands about how we love them and want them to see us at our best? That we treasure their love for us? What about God? He gave us this body. How are we treating it? Are we unshaved, unshowered? Overweight, lazy, not exercising?
Trust me when I say that I am pointing the finger at me. Not you. You are reading my heart on the matter.
I feel like giving up already and we have only just begun. I will not let that happen. I knew I had to have my post up and be dressed by 9am. I refused to let a day go by without completing it. Discipline is never easy – especially when it is self-inflicted!
Do you feel like giving up? Have you given up and you want to “start over”? Do you need some grace? {You got it!}
We are here for accountability. We are here to encourage, motivate, and inspire. If you miss a day, so what. Keep going. Get back on track. Let’s get disciplined. Lets start good habits. Lets percevier and make this a new way of life – not just another 31 day challenge.
“Accountability outfitted in grace offers us hope.” Sarah Mae, Frumps to Pumps Day 4
What are your struggles? How can we encourage you? Share here, or on my Facebook page so we can all help learn from each other!
Today’s challenges:
1. Get dressed (according to the time you on day 1)!
2. Encourage someone else today. You learn more when you teach…you feel more encouraged when you encourage. Feel free to share this challenge with us here or on my Facebook page. We want to encourage, not discourage. Help, not hinder. We are in this together!
3. Check on your Week 1 goals and make sure you are on track (including memorizing your scripture!).
4. Read Day 4 of “Frumps to Pumps” for more advice and encouragement!
5. Leave a comment so we know you are on track. A simple “I’m on it!” will do! You could also share what your goals are for the week and what time you plan on getting dressed! This is how we can best hold each other accountable!
How are you doing with the challenge? What are your struggles? Do you need any special encouragement or prayer? Please let me know! Comments, Facebook, or email…it doesn’t matter!
Speaking of working on ourselves (consistency…trying (striving) to be better wives, mothers, daughters…) why not work on prayer in our marriages? I am a contributor to an upcoming challenge called A Surrendered Marriage by Intentional by Grace. I would love it if you would check out the challenge and see if it would interest you? Your marriage WILL get better from this. Prayer changes everything! We will provide you with the prompts and scripture…well, just read about it here for all the details!
This post contains my affiliate link to Sarah Mae’s book Frumps to Pumps. You can also get a free copy by subscribing to her blog (http://sarahmae.com). If you don’t want to subscribe, just buy the PDF, it is only 4.99! The book has really challenged and encouraged me and I hope you enjoy it too!
This post was shared with Simple Lives Thursday,
Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
About Nikki
Now that my baby no longer has a fever, my schedule will hopefully get back to normal. I am dressed at the moment, which is progress!
Good for you
Progress is all you need to accomplish. Having a sick baby can certainly alter things.
Spring Break. 7:15am and already Monkey 1 & 2 are playing Wrestle Mania in my bed. And this is only DAY ONE!!
I can hear the hubby showering. Do I make a mad dash, shower & get dressed while he’s still home to keep on eye on the “brawlers”? Or do I wait and let the “electronic babysitter” take over for half an hour?? Well, I KNOW how the latter will work! I’ll either NOT shower OR get dressed. Or, I’ll be in the shower, someone will come in screaming about how the other hit them or better yet… the one I love the best was when my 5 yr old came in to tell me, “Baby Joe (he still calls him baby) has poop allllllllllllll over the place!!” Better believe I was done quick!
With that mental reminder, as soon as I heard the water shut off in hubby’s shower, I darted out of bed, into the bathroom & straight into his bewildered and puzzled face. “I’m taking a shower! YOU keep an eye on the kids while you finish getting dressed. Just keep the bathroom door open.” I don’t know about you ladies, but sometimes, my hubby needs that little extra instruction Ie. “keep the bathroom door OPEN”
Normally, I would have just gotten out of bed, & started the day as usual. Probably getting dressed later because I have an appointment, but nothing special. But because I took the time yesterday to get dressed and feel “pretty”, it made me want to do it again today. Even the showering part! Yes, yes…I’ll admit it…normally I wouldn’t have even showered. I would have just gotten dressed and gone. If my hair could get by without looking greasy enough…I was good to go! That’s why they make those strong smelling deodorants and perfumes right?! lol just kidding (partially)
Yesterday, I had a brief glimpse of my renewed mind. A glimpse at what I wanted my morning and day to look like for both myself and my kids. Not a morning FILLED with TV or me trying to catch up on chores that are NEVER going to get done, but a morning of TWO programs of TV and then OFF the REST of the day. For me, chores done during THAT time and when the TV goes off, the BRAIN goes OFF chores! Cuz they will still BE THERE LATER. The kids on the other hand…will only be little once. I constantly need to remind myself that they will not remember how clean the floors were, or how neat the house was, but how much time I played with them.
For me, my realization and renewed mind, came out of getting dressed. It went hand in hand for me. I never quite realized it. I still don’t quite grasp it fully and haven’t let it sink in to the “core”, but I know I can’t go back even when I don’t want to, or else I’ll never “get it”.
Now on Day 20, I’m sure I’ll be coming back to this comment and reading it for myself for encouragement…because let me tell you….I do not like nor do I stick to CHANGE! Until someone told me this…and I had to ponder it…
Until the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change,
You will remain the same
God gives us grace, his Word, and especially ONE ANOTHER so that we can change! Sooooooo soooo thankful that I am NOT the only one out there!!
I couldn’t have said it better myself! I find that my life gets away from me each day. This challenge is allowing me to start off on the right track and make sure I am prepared!
So far I’ve accomplished 4 days of being dressed and ready for my day by 9am. And, today was the biggest challenge since it was the first day I didn’t have to go somewhere in the morning!
I love the days I am prepared even when I do not have to rush out of the house.
Me too!
I know, sometimes it just seems appropriate to stay in sweats when we don’t have to go anywhere! But no…we won’t!
Still in and actually I am feeling the shift in myself. I am feeling encouraged and feeling the affects of going from frumpy to pumpy.
That is so awesome (and encouraging) to hear. I feel like it is already becoming more of a habit too. Imagine how we will feel at the end of 30 days!
Even tho, I just found you today… after I post this I am going to go dress nice for me… I will read your other post later. thanks.