I'm the next Miss America.



Me.  Competing for the title of Miss America.   I can see myself now.  Strolling out there on that stage in all my glory.  How would I answer the BIG question at the end?  Oh wow, I'm sure my answer would be absolutely riveting.  Well, until the director yells "cut, go to commercial!!".  When I refuse to wear a dress or shave my legs for the swimming suit competition, things might get a little hairy.  I wonder how many times they have to practice that wave.



 



Bottom line is, we are NOT all Miss America potential.  By the world's standards there are many of us that cannot compete.  We fall short of the standard.  We know it's true.  There's no use denying it.  It IS the reality of the world that we live in.  Sure, we can choose how we react to that and whether or not we choose to be affected by it.  However, majority rules and inferiority in the beauty department stings.

So what can we do about it?  Well, accept it.  I've finally settled in a place in my life where I am fine with who I am.  I have accepted the fact that I am not the runner up for Miss America and I never will be.  I understand that there are things that I cannot change about this world, no matter how frustrated I get.  That doesn't mean that I won't see some woman on TV that will make me question my own sexual desirability or worth...for at least a moment.  Then I will remember that my husband thinks I'm hot.  Then I will think about this...

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

 

You see, we were each made unique, with different gifts, talents and beauties.  But here is the difference...beauty in the eye of our creator has no comparison to that of worldly standards.  Personally, I have been given so much more than the physical beauty, poise and glamour that comes with being Miss America.  I'm sure being Miss America is great and all.  But I must say, I would much rather have that God, this husband and those kids that love me for the shabby, imperfect woman I am.

 

 

There is no amount of makeup, clothing, plastic surgery or diet pills that are going to make you become what you feel as if you need to be.  Miss America will probably always be on TV and there will always be that girl that makes you feel inferior.  If you allow it,  this insatiable appetite for better and prettier will consume you, and it will never be fulfilled. 

 

Leave Miss America to Miss America.  For the rest of us, just be the best to those that appreciate you for the one that you are, without the shaved legs, swimsuit body, perfect speech and classic wave.

 

 



Go to H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS

 

 

Yes, that is the fiery pit of hell.  Well, I guess so.

 

 

I would be lying if I said I hadn't wished someone would end up there. 

 

 

I get mad.  I take offense.  And I especially don't like it when people hate on MY Jesus.

 

 

Just recently I found myself wishing someone THERE after they took MY Jesus' name in vain, made a mockery of Him and felt it was their life mission to debunk the "myth" of Christianity.

 

 

Then, MY Jesus made me aware of something.

 

 

That same person that I wished would rot in Hell is loved by Him just as much as I am.

 

 

Well, there's that.  So much for me thinking I had all the damnation under control.

 

 

I want to hate people so much sometimes.  The human, the sinner in me wants to despise them and feel glad at the thought of them going to Hell after they spent their life despising the One that SAVED me.

 

 

Instead of hate, I should feel love.  I should pray for them, with the hope that Jesus takes control of their life the way He did mine.  How hard is that sometimes?  Many of you are probably way better at this than me, but seriously...it's tough.  The protector in me rears it's ugly head and I end up a sinner along with the one that I am pointing fingers at.

 

 

I feel so much love for Jesus that the thought of someone dissing Him gets my goat.

 

 

 

 

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  Matthew 5:43-48

 

 

For me, it comes so much easier to hate than it is to love and forgive.  I am a work in progress and I fail sooo much.  I am so thankful that He reminds me that all are loved by Him, therefore I should love as well.  Even those that seem so unlovable. 

 

 

I'm workin' on it.  Thanks to Him.

 

 

 

 





A case of the pukes.

Oh no, little Sue has a serious case of the pukes.  Sorry for those of you out there named Sue, it's just the first name that came to mind.  You panic because you don't have anything to give her to re balance those precious electrolytes she is losing at a rapid race.  You decide it's time for a trip to the store to get something. 

Choice #1:

Pedialyte.  It's great, right?  Tastes great and the kids love it. 

Here are the "Nonmedicinal ingredients": water, citric acid, artificial grape flavour, sucralose, acesulfame potassium, FD&C Red No. 40, and FD&C Blue No. 1.

A few of those are a little concerning to me.  Not sure why I would want to put any potential harmful ingredients into my child, especially when their immune system is already seriously compromised.

Choice #2:

Gatorade is a popular one, especially among adults.  I used to buy it whenever I had the pukes.  Among the ingredients in most Gatorade are sucralose, high fructose corn syrup, artificial flavoring and artificial coloring.

To be fair to Pedialyte and Gatorade, they do contain a lot of good essential electrolytes that our bodies need when we are puking our guts out and desperately need to be rebalanced.  But what if I told you there was a better solution?  One that wasn't made in a factory and put together by man.  One that is all goodness all by itself, just the way it was created.  Interested yet?

Introducing coconut water...

Choice #3:

For those of you that have good eyes, you will notice that the label says 100% pure coconut water.  Nothing added, nothing taken away.  You see, coconut water naturally contains all of the beneficial electrolytes needed during a puking spell.  Coconut water contains 16% potassium compared to only 1% contained in Gatorade, which is more potassium than in an entire banana.  It also contains the very important magnesium, phosphorus, sodium and calcium our body needs.  Coconut water contains the very same electrolyte balance you have in your body.  That just amazes me.  Coconut water is also known to reduce vomiting, which can't be a bad thing when you feel like you are about to puke out your intestines.

Coconut water is also a great way for those of you who work out(I have no clue what it's like) to make up for your lost minerals and fluids.  If you have not discovered coconut water, I encourage you to give it a try.

So, perhaps you could consider stocking your fridge with some coconut water instead of that Pedialyte and Gatorade this year.  Just make sure you get the good stuff.  And if you have to start out by mixing it half and half, that's ok, don't beat yourself up about it.

Jealous of John

Revelation is my favorite book in the Bible.  Well, I guess when I say favorite, that means my favorite book in the Bible that I have actually managed to read.  I have tried to read the Bible all the way through, but have failed each time.  Lord, you lost me at Kings.  What can I say?  I'm imperfect, a sinner...and apparently undisciplined.  When I read the book of Revelation, it's like I'm reading an exciting Sci-fi or Fantasy novel.  I just picture Jesus riding in on his horse and kicking butt!  Can I mention something at this point...I am embarrassed to admit all of this. 

When I picture John at the feet of God almighty himself, I can't help but feel one thing.  Jealousy.  I mean, why couldn't it have been me?  I totally could have done that, right?  Yeah right, I would have been a complete nutcase up there.  It begins like this...wait..and yeah, I kinda picture the Bible in candle light, all creepy-like...

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,  who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.  Revelation 1-3

Hold the phone.  Can you even imagine this?  Being the one that God chose to catch a glimpse of what He was going to do, to see His prophecy???  To bring this in to modern times, this would be like winning a trip to Disneyland(if you're 5) times a gazillion times a gazillion.  Realistically, it can't even be comprehended.  John, you lucky dog.

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”  At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.  And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne.  Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads.  From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.  Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.  Revelation 4: 4-6

Okay, could you seriously even begin to imagine this?  Walking in to a place where the Lord himself sits?   The beauty, the fear and awe that you would feel is absolutely unimaginable.  I would feel so small and insignificant, yet so overwhelmed by the opportunity to be there.  John, I'm trying to be happy for you, but still a little jealous.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back.  The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle.  Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,

who was, and is, and is to come.”" Revelation 4: 6-11

At this point, I would really hope that my wordly desire to stare uncomfortably wouldn't surface.  I'm not certain that I could resist the temptation to gawk while my jaw hits the floor.

 

 

I could totally see myself doing something stupid like this.

 

"Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they were saying:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”

The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.:  Revelation 5: 11-14

 

Yeah, at this point I would probably fall down and worship too.  While blubbering like an idiot and begging for forgiveness for all of the horrible things I have done in my life.  I wonder if I could even look God in the eyes.  I picture myself feeling shame, yet overwhelming relief and forgiveness at the same time.   

Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near.  Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”  Revelation 22: 10-11

Right now I would be wondering if I was the vile one being referred to.  I am definitely considered vile sometimes.  I'm not exactly considering myself who I want to be when I get to meet God.  Makes me think about what kind of work I need to allow Him to do in me.  Because bottom line, we are being allowed to make our own mistakes and to choose between following our own way or His.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.  Revelation 22: 12-13

 

Whether we want to admit it or not, we will all sit before the throne of God.  Some of us want to get there sooner than others.  Some still feel like they have a few things to get in order before they leave.  Others deny that they will ever sit before the throne.  No matter what, your time will come.  The time that you will sit in absolute, shuddering and incomprehensible awe of the Creator, just like John did.  Except for John, it was just a glimpse.  My puny mind thinks it will be a time for recounting our lives and finding out what place our Creator has for us.  Until our time comes, we can only imagine what it would be like to sit in the presence of almighty God.

 

Me personally, I'm hoping for a seat in the herbal clinic.  Where I would get to tinker with all of the wonderful plants He made for us to heal one another with.  I could ask God what the top 10 essential oils are.  Oh wait...I'm forgetting that there won't be anything to heal...since He is the Great Physician and all.  Oh well, it was a good dream while it lasted.

Until then, Lord please give me a Revelation!  I really want to shape up before I finally get to meet you.