black sequin dress

When I was twenty two, my parents bought me the most beautiful long, strapless black sequin dress. It was fitted with a flare of raspberry tulle at the bottom of the dress. It was stunning! Never before had I been voted to be in any kind of homecoming or prom court, unlike my sisters, who were both homecoming queens; but to my great surprise, my senior year in college, I was voted to be in the Miss Liberty Pageant! The week that I found out that I was going to be in the pageant, I planned to go home for the weekend and get a dress. I would be one of twenty four girls to represent Liberty University. I was honored and excited, as the pageant was a huge deal!!

Little did I know, that I would never wear the dress.

When I returned from my weekend at home, I was called into a meeting. All of the girls in the pageant were told that the pageant had been cancelled for financial reasons. I was so disappointed and hurt. We were still in a homecoming court for the homecoming football game, but it was not the same. I had to wear a dressy skirt and suit jacket. I would have to return my non-refundable dress.

Sometimes life sends us disappointments that leave us hurt and confused. How do we handle disappointment? Like Hagar in Genesis chapter 16, I can refer to God as "the God who sees me." My interpretation: "the God who sees me in my black sequin dress." I am learning in disappointing times, that God knows something that I do not know. He has a plan for me, not to harm me, but to give me a hope, and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

There will be more black sequin dress moments in my life, I am sure! May we learn to lean on Him, as He will never ever disappoint us!!