Special Guest Blog By: Brooke Brown
No matter how much they may beg to differ, I’m willing to bet there’s not a girl in the world that hasn’t wanted, at least for a moment, to feel like royalty. To be held up in the highest esteem, admired for her strong character and beauty, and gain the ability to use the authority behind her tiara and title to make changes. Big changes, that seem virtually impossible for “average girls.”
I am one of those girls that have always wanted to wear a tiara and carry a title for a powerful purpose. And when this year began, I thought The Lord was going to give me that opportunity. I was preparing to compete for the Ms. Wheelchair Arizona 2015 title in March. Winning would open the doors for me to initiate some positive and extremely necessary changes for the disability community is this state. I prayed. I planned as I felt Jesus leading me. And I prayed some more. My platform for the competition needed a vehicle, so God used a series of late-night conversations with my sweet and creative service like-minded friend Jolene to spawn the idea for my personal storytelling business.
I was amazed. Finally, after so many years of seemingly aimless metaphorical wandering, I started to understand His calling on my life. It all unfolded before my mind’s eye – going to dozens of events, giving speeches, helping people find their own voices and the courage to share their personal stories, all while wearing my tiara and sash for His glory. I had never been so confident about what God was preparing me to accomplish in my life. There was a lot of waiting around for information during this time, too, which was a huge lesson in trusting Jesus with the unknown.
Then, a couple days before the pageant, something interesting happened. Chris Tomlin’s “We Fall Down” (a favorite song that I’d not heard in a few years) came on Pandora and I bawled. The chorus reads:
“We fall down
We lay our crowns
At the feet of Jesus
The greatness of
Mercy and love
At the feet of Jesus”
As it played I heard Jesus whisper, “Your crown lies with Me.” I thought He was reminding me not to take my eyes from Him after I won the title. I promised again that everything I did with the tiara would be to further the Kingdom. I continued to pray as I fell asleep that night and once more He said, “your crown and title are with Me.”
All of my interviews at the pageant went extremely well. The judges were quite obviously impressed. I was pretty sure I nailed the title.
But, all at once, I was named runner up. Wait, how could that be? What in the world was the point of it all, then?
I was crushed, totally confused and for a little while, felt completely lost. As I cried and sought answers from The Lord over the next week, it was a struggle not to let the Enemy use it to wreak havoc on my confidence and self-image. But, God knew how to reach me.
Pandora must’ve played Francesca Battistelli’s “He Knows My Name” two dozen times in those few days and I got the point. The chorus goes:
“I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored
It’s all His stage”
I am a princess in the Courts of Heaven, cherished heir to the Throne of the King of Kings. No earthly title carries greater power. I believe Jesus used my pageant experience to reveal my life’s work and clarify exactly who I am and capable of accomplishing as His child.
Beloved Daughters, please never forget to wear the crown of your true royal identity!
“Listen, daughter, and pay careful attention: Forget your people and your father’s house. Let the king be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord. The city of Tyre will come with a gift, people of wealth will seek your favor. All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold.”- Psalm 45:11-13
About Brooke Brown:
As an honors graduate of the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at ASU and a recipient of the Walter Cronkite Outstanding Undergraduate Award, storytelling runs in Brooke’s blood. She’s the author of The Little Butterfly Girl and is currently an actress and writer in the Improbable Theatre Company. Brooke has also completed various creative writing projects for organizations such as Southwest Institute for Families and Children and Scottsdale Community College. And, she is in the process of starting her own business called, Brooke’s Butterfly Touch, which strives to help others discover the power in sharing their own stories in order to cultivate opportunities and understanding.
Love this