Blessing in Disguise

I love being a judge at the NCFCA (National Christian Forensics and Comunications Association) Speech & Debate competitions. This is my second year to be a judge and I am continually impressed by these highly skilled and astute young people. The process includes days of rounds of speeches and debates in specific categories. Yesterday I judged a Team Policy debate round on the changes needed in the Federal Court System. WOW -- did those teams ever amaze AND perplex me! Deciding the winner of the debate wasn't easy, for sure.

I also judged several speech rounds yesterday, among which was an Impromptu speech category. An Impromptu speech is where the individual draws a card that has two unknown topics on it. They have 2 minutes to prepare a 5-minute speech on their choice of the two. One young man drew his card and he chose the topic "A Blessing in Disguise". I was richly blessed as he skillfully delivered an impromptu speech that he based on his own family's challenges. His father had been laid off his job and had trouble finding another, their car had broken down, his mother's shoulder required surgery, and his sister had been in a car accident -- all in the matter of a few days. He went on to share how they trusted in God's perfect plan for their lives in spite of the challenges they faced.

This young man went on to describe how often people draw closer to God during their rough times. They can see more of how things work according to God’s ways which which are loving and kind. And a loving God will work in everything to bring about goodness to people who love Him. The point is not to sulk each time we face something bad in our life, but we should believe that in everything that happens, there’s a "blessing in disguise" on the way. When we emphasize, believe and have faith that our loving God will not do evil, but will bring about His loving plan for our future.

He closed his talk with telling us that not only did his dad finally obtain a really great job -- better than any ever, the car was easily repaired, his Mom didn't need surgery and his sister was okay. It was all a "blessing in disguise", because today he was able to share the goodness of God with us. He reminded me of the many times I've had "blessings in disguise" in my own life.

How about you? Did you get detained by a flat tire or traffic that was backed up for miles, or your child left his books at home and you had to turn around and go back home for it? Or you lost your job and now have an even better job? What if all those interruptions were "blessings in disguise" to what could have presented itself in a much worse outcome? Let's watch out for the "blessings in disguise" that are awaiting us today!

#NCFCA #BlessingInDisguise