And Let the JUDGING Begin

As in every year since I was a little girl, I'll be watching the Miss America Pageant tonight when it is broadcast live on ABC. I still love getting caught up in the pomp of it all -- seeing those young women vying for scholarships, and finding out who will take home the crown of Miss America 2019. I was always starstruck by those beautiful, smart and talented young women. I'd watch and "judge" from my sofa, choose my favorite, and hope she'd be the winner. With great anticipation, I'd hear the names of the runners-up and hope I had "judged" accurately. What an adrenaline rush it was when I was right and heard Bert Parks sing "There she is...Miss America. There she is....your ideal."

In 1995, my husband and I were cheering so loudly for that adorable redhead from Oklahoma who was radiant, poised, articulate, and confident. We never imagined that just a few years later THAT GIRL, Shawntel Smith, would become "the love of our boy's life"! She won our hearts in the 1996 pageant, and soon the love of our hearts forever!

I understand that those young women are scrutinized to the nth degree by the judges who carry such huge responsibilities. They will determine the results which means dreams coming true for many who will receive sizeable scholarships, and of course, the one crowned Miss America.

"Judging" has become a way of life in our world. I thoroughly enjoy watching "reality shows" that offer talent and sports competitions where judges play a huge role in whether or not the competitors win or lose by just the smallest margin. Speaking of judging and being judged, many of us feel judged daily. People can, and will have opinions, but we should never doubt ourselves. We should have absolute faith in who we are and never should we let someone else's "opinion" become our reality. And neither should we judge others. We don't know their reality either. That cranky cashier's world could be falling apart. "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." Matthew 7:1

It also may feel like God is judging us, too: He rewards us when we're good and have boatloads of faith, He punishes and disciplines us when we make mistakes. Not at all. God doesn't judge or scrutinize us. He always responds to us in love. What counts to Him is that we come to Him. It's true He rewards those of us who believe and who diligently seek Him. He still loves us even when our faith is weak and we doubt and worry or are afraid. All He asks is for us is to come to Him. He will give Himself to us. No, He doesn't judge us with a scoring system. He is loving and teaching us to be the best we can be -- and He's handing us much more than a crown. In Isaiah 62:3, we read that we ARE a crown...."You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God."

When you're feeling a little disheveled, inadequate and weary from all that is expected of you, just remember WHOSE child you are, and straighten that crown! After all, you are a child of the King!