A Humbling Experience

To kick off the beginning of this month , I headed down on a road trip with my mom and MKOT producer to the Miss America's Miss Texas pageant. It was an early morning from the start, and for some reason I was trusting that my hair was going to be nice and cooperate with me. It just so turned out that after we had arrived at our hotel and began getting ready for the evening ceremony, my hair decided to be difficult. I ended up in the restroom surrounded by five ladies ( my mom, Mandy, and three extremely kind Texans) all trying to situate my crown and hair in a put together style.

It was challenging and unfortunately as soon as we took our seats my hair had gone back to being stubborn again. Just before the show began, a young girl and her companion slid in to the seats behind us. I could hear the older lady whisper to the little girl "Look, she has a crown on!" So I turned and smiled back, even more aware that in no way was my hair that evening what a Queen's hair should look like. But this little girl didn't care. She smiled right back at me. A stunning smile with that kind of warmth you feel during the holiday season, cheerful and welcoming. There was just enough time to take a picture and exchange pleasantries before the lights dimmed. The show began and the performers were wonderful to watch. There was a short intermission where I was able to talk to the little girl again but was then called over and kept busy for the rest of the break. When I came back to my seat, the little girl was gone.Confused, I wondered where she had gone. I did not have to wait long for my answer. A clip from the Children's Miracle Network began to play and at the end left everyone in the audience in tears. Then the emcee announced that they were proud to present the Miss Texas Miracle Princess...and there she was.

Flashing her brilliant smile across the entire audience and being crowned herself. It just so turned out that I had been speaking with a hero in disguise. The entire auditorium was filled with applause and cheers as Syese's story was told and a crown was placed on her head. After over 40 medical procedures and countless nights spent in a hospital room, this young girl was able to live her dream of being a princess. Here I was, a person whose most intense hospital visit was receiving stitches on my chin from my own clumsiness, fretting over something as small and insignificant as my hair. It was humbling. I realized that God has truly blessed me when he placed this little girl in the row behind me. He drew me back from my own little world and opened my eyes to what truly matters. She touched the lives of hundreds that night. Wearing her own crown and sash, she epitomized what a true queen is and what one looks like. When she came back to her seat, I was the one asking to get a picture with her!One of my favorite verses fits perfectly with this story!"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment...Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight."1 Peter 3:3-4

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