And the Winner is...

A popular phrase that is said a lot where they are handing out awards. In fifth grade I entered a science fair. I worked on creating an ear model. It was to show how the ear worked. My dad and I worked and worked on that. Then, we took it to the science fair. I was proud of that project. I can’t remember how I did with the speaking part to explain the model to the judge. However, I do remember the anticipation I felt when we went to the awards ceremony. “Is it me? Did I win?” were my thoughts. I also remember the utter shame and foolishness that I felt when my name wasn’t called for third, second, or first place. I had my dad take me home immediately after I found this news out. I didn’t want to have anything to do with that ear model again. I didn’t enter the next year.

This last week, the Powerball lottery was up to $222 million dollars. That isn’t pocket change for anyone. (As I am writing this before the drawing, I don’t know if anyone won or not) That money will make a difference in everyone’s life. Managed well, you wouldn’t have to do anything for the rest of your life. But what about all of the people who put in their one dollar, two, five, or ten dollars, that didn’t win? Will they play again? Most probably will. If no one won this drawing, there was another one last night (Saturday). Someone will eventually win and they will be financially set for life.

In our Christian walk, we sometimes feel like there is only one winner. Only one who “wins the race”. They see all the good things happening to everyone else, and just see their life as creeping toward miserable. Friends, that is not the case at all. The race is there for everyone who is “in Christ” to be able to finish. The finish line is put up again after each person has crossed it. We all get the chance to finish the race. We all can be winners in His kingdom.

Jesus continually holds an awards banquet and He has stacks and stacks of envelopes with cards inside with names on them. Jesus stands at the podium and says that infamous phrase, “And the winner is…” YOU! You are a winner! You have been given the honor of being a part of something great. Then, when all is over, you get to go and be with Him to an even better place, as He considers you a “good and faithful servant”.

How exciting and awesome is it to see yourself a winner! You don’t have to sit in the audience and wonder if your name is going to be called. He’s calling it continually. Relish in the fact that as a child of His, you are a winner! Kick up your heels, get a bounce in your step, puff out your chest because you are a winner! Show it off proudly but in a way that you want others to win, too. Who will you show your winning trophy to this week? Who do you want someone to hear their name mentioned after the phrase “And the winner is…”? Go, help someone else win, too!

Can't Wait...Conclusion

Earlier in the week I wrote about the opportunity to be an "in school suspension" supervisor. I had the open opportunity to be around two fifth grade boys, who had been in a scuffle the day before, from around 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

The boys were not enemies, but had just gotten into a bit of a scuffle the day before, after being laughed at was "the last straw".

This is an awkward age for boys. They are in the middle of childhood and teenager. They know a lot, but they don't know much. They like to joke about big boy things without knowing fully what it actually might mean.

God gave me the open door to tutor, mentor, and minister. I helped with homework. I squeezed in some "how to behave" comments, and I found out a bit about their religious and family background.

One boy kept me on my toes as to when the bathroom breaks were to come. I laughed after the second time. As a person who works by myself, I don't think about a "timed" bathroom break. I had told the boys that at a certain time, each hour, we would go to the restroom. I was busy working when the one boy said, "Isn't it time to go to the bathroom?" Then, the next hour he said, "It is about 10:30, didn't you say we could go to the bathroom then?" He made me smile and laugh throughout the day. Since they didn't get any recess or other special privileges, walking to the bathroom was good enough, like prisoners going outside. Even at the end of the day, he was making sure I knew what time it is so that they could go back and put their books away, before they had to get on the bus, to make sure they didn't miss the bus.

Kids are funny and I enjoyed my day. Thank you, God, for the open door to see the surprises of the day!

The "Can't Wait" day was definitely worth the anticipation!