A New Sash

“Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” Matthew 5:3-9

These are some of the beatitudes that Jesus proclaimed would bring blessings once we develop these attitudes of the heart. If it was important enough for him to say it is imperative that we live it out while on this earth. These exhorts do not return empty to us but usher in blessings when our heart is aligned with the beatitudes while dealing with the circumstances of life.

This weekend was an emotional roller coaster overflowing with the ‘circumstances of life.’ Our daughter was invited many months ago to participate in a local pageant which would give her a platform for Alzheimer’s, a cause close to her heart. She worked hard and stepped out of her comfort zone. She showed her children courage to do something beyond the norm. The night of the pageant was this past Saturday and the auditorium was full and she was beautiful. She completely commanded the stage every time she stepped upon it and at the end of the evening was crowned queen. But a string of events occurred that prompted a recount and a mistake was found. She was called yesterday morning and was informed that she was first runner up and they would need to gather the sash and the crown. The grace that she exuded and the strength in which she responded was nothing short of these beatitudes. What she did on Sunday was no different than how she lives her life Monday through Saturday. But we live in the flesh, with hearts needing comforting and emotions needing the settling of the Holy Spirit.

Today is her birthday and I know that what she will receive from laying down her crown in grace and courage is so much more than what she would have received while wearing it. Her children have learned important principles this weekend. They learned that it takes courage and faith to step out in the unknown, and they learned that it takes grace to except what life brings. And then they learned about comfort and love as they watched the gentle exchange between a woman who needed comforting and a man whose arms were ready for the task at hand. Yesterday was a rough day for the family but God is bigger than our roughest days. We don’t understand why this had to happen but it is times like this when we have no choice but to believe that everything works for our good once we love God. We must believe that God is a good Father even when things don’t feel good. Faith is remembering that God is still love when bad things happen to us.

Our family couldn’t be prouder, and she will continue to pursue her work in the Alzheimer’s community. Those precious people who wear their own type of crown will continue to know her as their Queen. Happy birthday our sweet Kristen. You will never know the people you impacted this weekend not by Saturday’s queen but Sunday’s queen. The sash you wear is Mrs. Proverbs 31, 2018.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Honor her for all she has done.” Proverbs 31:25-31