July 26, 2016

I have spent a huge amount of time this week at the Boone County Fair.  I love the fair!   I enjoy reconnecting with old friends.   I enjoy eating elephant ears and ice cream from the Shake Stand.   I enjoy the exhibits in the community building and I really enjoy watching kiddos participate in the livestock shows.   Today as I sat in the stands in the show arena and watched my grandson, and several others, show their animals I felt a pang of sadness for the ones that did not get the blue ribbon.   All the 4-Hers worked so hard to get to the fair and the day was so hot, I wished I could give them all an award!   Sometimes the reality of competition is a hard one.   Clearly there can only be one winner.   Someone gets the blue and many others get red or green or nothing at all.   As I was feeling the pain of those who left the arena with nothing except disappointment, it occured to me that with our Lord we all win!   Jesus wants all of us to be the winners!    He does not want to leave anyone behind.  Our victory comes from Jesus and for that we all should be shouting AMEN!  Thank you, Jesus!  Jude 24-25 reads, "Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time, and now and forever, Amen."  Jesus will give each of us a blue ribbon as we stand before God!