I guess I'm going to have to make an appointment to have my hair cut.

A local radio station is having a contest. It is a Valentine's Heart 2 Heart Makeover contest. A devoted, loving man is supposed to nominate his sweetie for a makeover, wardrobe shopping with the experts, dinner, overnight at a posh hotel, etc. Would that not be a cool thing to win???

I mentioned it to hubby. I knew hinting would not get the job done. I told him the possible benefits of his actions: Free makeover for me, a FREE dinner and over night with me, he would get a free haircut, a very happy wife who he'd get to spend alone time with...

Figuring he probably didn't do it, I mentioned that I should just go ahead and make an appointment for this week to at least get a haircut. He laughed. "What do you think your chances are for winning this contest?" Well, he had a point. (Did I mention that you had to include a full length photo of you and your sweetie?) So are they looking for someone who "looks" like she desperately needs a makeover and wardrobe? Or someone who looks like a million bucks that they can make look frumpy in a before photo and then a knock-out in the after photos? Ok, so I would definately not make the latter category (except I can do a good frumpy.)

I reminded him that I did indeed win a contest of sorts. He honestly doesn't remember it at all. It was 20 years ago.

I was a young mom, pregnant with my 3rd child. Our marriage was at a tough point, I was still a new Christian desiring to be a perfect wife and mother (and feeling like a failure at both.) Finances were tight. I wore the same dress to church 3 times a week, and the same pair of shoes. In my desperation, I had the privilege of attending a Women's Advance at our church. (Same thing as a "retreat" but we like to think we are going forward, not running scared-hence the word "Advance.") It was a wonderful time of refreshing. For the cost, it meant more than a new dress or shoes that I could have bought. At the end of the Advance, they gave away prizes. All of them were lovely, but the grand prize was a free dinner and an overnight stay at the Marriott. Inside I so wanted to win something. It was a way to feel validated as a person. Receiving something special somehow spoke "you are valued and loved." I smiled, cheered, and rejoiced with each lady that won. As they were about to draw a name for the final prize, I caught myself hoping beyond hope. My heart was beating wildly. And then I caught myself.

I bowed my head and silently prayed, "Lord, please give this gift to someone who REALLY needs it. Amen." The leaders at the podium announced my name. I was in shock. If I hadn't been so pregnant, I would have jumped up and down. Still stunned I walked forward to collect my prize.

God, in His infinite mercy and grace, knew what this meant to me. It was His own special way of telling me that He did indeed love me and that I held value in His eyes. That was all that mattered.

I am not at a desperate place in life. My prayer once again is, "Lord, please give this prize to someone who REALLY needs it. Amen."