Even Her Feet Are Beautiful

I surfed across a blog that mentioned a girl I know. The blogger wrote about her time at Girls State. This is a summer leadership/citizenship program for high school girls. It is sponsored by the American Legion, as is Boys State. As far as I know, each state holds them annually.

Attendees are between their Junior and Senior years and the events are usually held on a college campus. American Legion members and community leader volunteers staff events. Delegates are selected on the basis of potential leadership qualities displayed in their schools and communities. I would view it as an honor to be selected.

The blogger was bemoaning her fate at being a part of such a boring event. Somehow, I was unable to locate her leadership qualities in what she wrote. Perhaps her principal saw those qualities and hoped to channel them into good citizenship.

My focus today is on this paragraph from the blog:

“Nor is spending an entire week with 416 '---------s'. --------- is the girl you went to highschool with, the girl that had to be number 1, who was snobby, who loved school, who NEVER stopped smiling, the person you hated because she was bossy and thought she was better than you.”

I’ve done the Dragnet thing – removed the name of the girl I know, to protect the innocent. I really do know the subject of the blogger’s disdain.

The blogger may be right about “NEVER stopped smiling.” I’ve seen this young lady’s smile radiate through a group of surrounding friends and family from morning to night. It is as beautiful as she is. The smile is evident as she sings praises to the Lord, too. It abounds when she prays. It remains when she stoops to listen to the child tugging at her skirt.

She is number one in more than one talent. To hear her play the piano is a joy for she is making a joyful noise unto the Lord in so many ways, and it appears so effortless.

She does love school, and is very good at it – that has continued into college. However, I have never received any indication of snobbery, nor of her being bossy. She is a leader, which does move her ahead of others.

“… better than you”? No, for she has admitted to being a sinner and stated that she is saved by grace. That doesn’t make her better than anyone, just secure in her faith. Perhaps that is why some would feel that she was “… the person you hated.”

Let me assure you, there neither were nor are 416 just like her. I know a little about her plans for the next few years. She will complete college. She will be married to a classmate, and if I’m fortunate, I’ll attend the wedding. They will embark on a journey that will take them around the country, gathering support for their mission field.

They will leave the comfort of the United States and arrive in Africa. Once out of the cocoon of the international jet, they’ll cross the tarmac to a vehicle that will take them across country to people looking forward to their arrival, and people who will look upon them much worse than the above blogger does.

They will be there because they have answered God’s call to share His word. They know:

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:13-15 KJV)