Welcome to 31 days! Continue reading for the day one post. Or you can browse the other posts in the series here:
Day 1 :: Calling All Ordinary People
Day 2 :: Think Different
Day 3 :: Small Town, Big World
Day 4 :: Before You Open the Door
Day 5 :: Receive Grace
Day 6 :: Be Loved
Day 7 :: Be Patient
Day 8 :: Be Encouraged
Day 9 :: Be Impractical
Day 10 :: Know Your Passion
Day 11 :: Know Your Limits
Day 12 :: Know What Makes You Cry
Day 13 :: Know Your Choices
Day 14 :: Know How to Worship
Day 15 :: Know Your Brokenness
Day 16 :: Move
Day 17 :: Start
Day 18 :: Show Up
Day 19 :: Say Yes
Day 20 :: Say No
Day 21 :: Suffer
Day 22 :: Be Small
Day 23 :: Be Quiet
Day 24 :: Use Names
Day 25 :: Use Words
Day 26 :: See
Day 27 :: Listen
Day 28 :: Tell
Day 29 :: Make Art
Day 30 :: Let Things Grow
Day 31 :: The Manifesto
So I’m not a politician. (I can hardly even spell politician. Seriously, it took me three tries. There is a ‘c’ in it. Who knew?) I’m not running for an office, married to a mayor, or even the head of any committees. I like it better when other people are in charge of meetings, I never raise my hand first in a group setting, and I only have two stamps in my passport. I’m a mom, a wife, a window-starer-outer. I have insecurities, dirty grout, and a stinky dog. And I’m changing the world.
You still here? I know you might have just rolled your eyes at me, but might I dare to ask you why? Do you expect the world changers to be robots? Superheroes? Genetically altered humans? Unicorns? Are you going to limit the influencing power to the presidents and the missionaries and the military? Are you sure you want to do that? World changers are ordinary people. Who else would they be?
In the beginning, God created the world. He could have left you out of it. But he didn’t. He made you to go in it. To fit. To have a place. If you weren’t there, things would be unfinished. You have a place, a role, a hand in how this whole story plays out. But what does that even look like? Are you playing a role that was never meant for you? Does your influence feel limp rather than alive? Well that’s kind of what this next 31 days is all about. I do hope you’ll stick around.
Are you writing your own 31 days series this month? We want to hear about it. The Nester wrote a post complete with specific instructions on how to link up with us. The post right after this one is the 31 Day Community Collection, or as my sister calls it, The 31 Dayers. If you are writing your own series, go to that post and add your link. It will automatically show up on all 8 of the hosting blogs. I can’t wait to see your topics!
I am so excited about your posts this month, Emily! I want to change the world with you!!
Your post is after my heart. I can’t wait to read the other 30 days. I’m stepping out and challenging myself to write these days as well. Love world changers.
Yay! I just submitted my link to my blog series on Faith Barisa — 31 DAYS to Feed Your Soul. I’m ordinary. So I’m guess that you’ll be inspiring me to change the world right along you! Love, Bonnie
I am excited! I almost backed out. But just couldn’t shake the nudge to join in.
Looking forward to what God wants to share through you here. And expectant that He has me joining in because He has things He wants to speak both to me and through me.
Love,
An ordinary, unaltered, non-unicornish kind of girl who wants to change the world
Looking forward to reading all 31 Days worth! Yes and Amen to ordinary people changing the world.
I. Am. So. Excited. I love your series already and it’s only the first post.
Goody goody gumdrops! Let the good times begin!
Love your topic, you world changer you.
And love you, too.
I LOVE YOUR TOPIC. I will definitely be following along for the next 31 days. Very exciting stuff this world changing stuff.
i’m pretty sure only unicorns change the world. not moms.
When I opened up my Google Reader, I was so excited to find out that nine of my favorite women are participating in the 31 days series and you are one of them! I am going to be reading about a ton of different topics this month, but I am so glad that I get to read about changing the world. Sometimes it feels like I can’t change the world, but I can’t wait to read about how I can!
Thank you so much for making this commitment to write for 31 days! I am so looking forward to it!!!
Yes I am joining in 31 days. I must admit I am not sure why, other than God would just not leave me alone about it. He’s like that.
I know what He is calling me to do, don’t understand why and definitely do not feel equipped. But after reading your day one post, I am encouraged. Every word went straight to my heart, and ultimately, I believe, is what God is wanting from me. But first I must let my borders go. I am looking forward to reading your 31 days and all the others. It is going to be a great month!
So excited to follow you along here! I have linked up my series on “31 Days of Abiding”!
Ordinary woman joining you!
I’m so excited for your series, Emily! I love your button, too. So to the point. I linked my 31 Days to Inspire a Child…mostly because of all your inspiration to write.
i’m looking forward to your posts this month, friend!
Can’t wait to read this series, Emily…
Emily, I’ve been thinking so much recently about our influence. We all have such powerful ones. I can’t wait to read more of your series and how to change the world! Thank you!!!
Hi Emily, I love the topic. . .You can change your world because Christ has changed you! I’m new to this 31-day thing-y and linked up my “31 Days of Friendships” over at TheNester.com, crossing my toes I did it right.
Blessings, Lucy
Hi, I’m a new reader! Honestly, I can’t even remember how I stumbled upon your blog but I am so grateful I did. Your words are uplifting, and I am looking forward to this month of changing the world! Thank you for sharing so much of you with the rest of us.
Danielle
So excited about this.
I have been feeling a very large nudge that I need to be doing more Kingdom related work. But I don’t know where to start. I do feel like an ordinary woman, just trying to get through my days of responsibility around the home. I am so excited to read the rest of your posts for some inspiration!
Excited about reading your 31 days. I’m doing 31 Days of Orange!
This is what I like…that ordinary people…like you….like me….like every other reader here, has the ability to be a world changer.
I’m a world changer raising world changers….this scares me to death every single day!
So glad you are going 31 days deep in this.
You were just the nudge I needed to get going. I’m joining in the 31 day journey and figuring out this blog world as I go.
Read your dad’s powerful story this morning. You are already changing the world Emily…one keystroke at a time. Thanks!
Great start, Emily. Thanks for inviting us to join you this year. 31 dayers . . . I like that. Can you believe the crazy response already? Such fun.
fondly,
Glenda
Go on witcho bad self. I can’t wait to read this.
And I’m totally a 31 Dayer. I’m just one who runs a bit behind and doesn’t have a button. I’ll be back to link up after I pack up my kitchen, eat Mexican food for dinner and write my Day 1 post.
Love your 31 Days…can’t wait to follow along! Excited to be part of the 31 Days Ladies. A little daunting to be consistent for one who is a procrastinator, but thankful for the challenge to me and hopefully encouragement to others.
You, my friend, are a world changer and I want to be like you when I grow up. I look forward to learning from this series!
can’t wait to read your series!! I’m doing one as well – 31 days of inspiring photography. I’m really excited about this entire experience.
I stumbled across your blog and have loved reading your posts (and your sister’s blog too!) You’ve inspired me to take on the 31 Days challenge as well, so thank you! I’m on a new journey right now and this couldn’t fit better with it. I look forward to reading a lot of great writing this month from the 31 dayers!
sometimes i don’t know what else to comment here, because it’s always the same.
i love your writing, your perspective, your heart for God…i just love it all.
and when life is tough, or when anxiety is a brewin’….this here is the place that gives me a sense of peace. (and the bible.)
But, to add something new to this comment…this is the quote I’m holding onto:
“In the beginning, God created the world. He could have left you out of it. But he didn’t. He made you to go in it. To fit. To have a place. If you weren’t there, things would be unfinished. You have a place, a role, a hand in how this whole story plays out.”
Love you Emily!!!
31 Days to Change the World – I love it! Can’t wait to read more. (um, and do you see that there are 580′ish people writing along too? Wow. So great!)
Your words are so inspiring Emily. I like to believe that I can change the world. God can do so much through each of us. I’m excited to be raising my boys to be world-changers too! Imagine what our children can do with God! Looking forward to your series. Be blessed.
Kindred spirits, we are. I too have insecurities, dirty grout, and a stinky dog, but more importantly I believe, like you, that we are to be world changers, and we have everything we need (through Christ) to accomplish that. I look forward to reading your posts each day and being inspired. I accepted the challenge and am doing 31 days of Truth. God bless you!
I have a feeling you posts are going to be some of my favorite!
Janelle
GraceTags
Hi – great theme for 31 days. I’m also doing a 31 theme and I’m looking forward to following along.
You had me at unicorns.
Loved your thoughts! I didn’t think I would figure out the whole linking up thing but I did! Sharing 31 days with you and all the others!
I liked your thoughts on how it is the ordinary people changing the world! Considering this is all my blog is about, all I ever write about is giving people the tools on how to change the world. In some ways changing the world isn’t that hard, it happens without realizing it. But in other ways it is very hard. To apply your life to something meaningful isn’t that easy to do in our me-centric culture. I will happily join with you this month to continue writing about this!
I’m thrilled to have found your blog tonight through the 31 Days challenge. What an inspirational topic, and quite the nudge I need to evaluate my purpose. I am a teacher, and now that we are a few months into the year, it is easy to be frustrated and even short tempered. My influence is large, though, and I look forward to being motivated by your posts. Thank you for sharing.
Ok, I’m hooked. Subscribing to your blog now.
Emily- I just wanted to say Thank You for this post. As somone who struggles with self-doubt and self-worth issues this spoke to me deeply. I read this post the day it was posted and had to reread it again today. I appreciate you and your words.
Thank you!
Kris
Just starting to read this series and I am so excited already! I absolutely love the topic you chose.
You Can Help Make This a Better World in Five Minutes Just by Signing the Petition at wh.gov/gJG. Will You?
i am home sick today and just starting to read other 31 day series. i’m starting with yours.
and i can’t wait.
xo
My daughter forwarded this to me at just the time I need it. Although I’m “old” compared to most of your followers I already know the wisdom of your youth has a lot to say to me. I’m struggling through some hard times and so thankful to have some uplifting words. Thanks for your blog!
Hi Emily,
I have enjoyed getting to read your posts lately, I started your book a few weeks ago and when I saw this I had to check it out. So sad that I didn’t know about this 31 days thing before, like when it was actually happening, but I’m doing it anyways. It’s inspired me to look at the journey God is already got me on in a different way and this gives me a chance to express some of what’s going on and hopefully be an encouragement to the readers that I might get.
Thanks for the encouraging words!
Sarah