post-Joy Prom update {guest post from Kelsey}
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To finish out my week of Kelsey's guest posts, here's the one she posted on her blog on Saturday, the day after this year's Joy Prom. (If you missed my other posts this week, here's where I introduced Kelsey, and here, here, and here are her other guest posts.)
Humbled.
That’s a good way to summarize it.
Who am I to be able to deserve such a remarkable, fulfilling passion?
I’ve had a very very hard senior year. I’ve seen friendships and relationships dissolve and my self-esteem plummet. I’ve been wallowing in self-pity for a while, but I am renewed. I don’t know why God chose to give me such an evident way to live out Matthew 25:40 (And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’) but he did and I am eternally grateful for his conviction of me to do this.
I literally got to live Luke 14:12-14 (Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.) There is nothing more rewarding. Sure, I feel good about it. But I didn’t surrender my prom in order to feel better about myself. I did it to serve, and serving is loving, and love is the greatest thing that man is capable of, and thus truly satisfying. I am so satisfied.
Last night at joy prom, I did a lot of different things, but I spent most of my time as a hostess. I did whatever I could to make our guests feel welcome. If that means standing in line for pictures with them for a long time, I did it. If that means slow dancing to a fast song, I did it. I did everything I possibly could to put a smile on every face. This was not to say that I was doing the best job or I was likable or anything like that - think about it. These people spend every other day of the year cast aside and looked down upon. They each deserve one night to have people telling them that they are a prince or a princess, and not just a burden. Every single one of them is unique and made in the image of God and loved just as much as you and I - no matter if they have no social barriers or can’t walk or are missing an arm or leg or what.
The atmosphere was of pure joy. It was a delight to be there. My experience this year was more about my making other people happy than my last experience - of finding my identity. It was amazing. If I had to make the choice again, I would undoubtedly choose joy prom over my senior prom, no hesitation.
Humbled.
That’s a good way to summarize it.
Who am I to be able to deserve such a remarkable, fulfilling passion?
I’ve had a very very hard senior year. I’ve seen friendships and relationships dissolve and my self-esteem plummet. I’ve been wallowing in self-pity for a while, but I am renewed. I don’t know why God chose to give me such an evident way to live out Matthew 25:40 (And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’) but he did and I am eternally grateful for his conviction of me to do this.
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| Don't you love the joy written allover Kelsey's face? |
I literally got to live Luke 14:12-14 (Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.) There is nothing more rewarding. Sure, I feel good about it. But I didn’t surrender my prom in order to feel better about myself. I did it to serve, and serving is loving, and love is the greatest thing that man is capable of, and thus truly satisfying. I am so satisfied.
 |
| Kelsey and others waiting in the host/hostess line to be paired with a guest as they entered |
Last night at joy prom, I did a lot of different things, but I spent most of my time as a hostess. I did whatever I could to make our guests feel welcome. If that means standing in line for pictures with them for a long time, I did it. If that means slow dancing to a fast song, I did it. I did everything I possibly could to put a smile on every face. This was not to say that I was doing the best job or I was likable or anything like that - think about it. These people spend every other day of the year cast aside and looked down upon. They each deserve one night to have people telling them that they are a prince or a princess, and not just a burden. Every single one of them is unique and made in the image of God and loved just as much as you and I - no matter if they have no social barriers or can’t walk or are missing an arm or leg or what.
 |
| Kelsey and another AMAZING young volunteer, waiting to be paired with guests! |
The atmosphere was of pure joy. It was a delight to be there. My experience this year was more about my making other people happy than my last experience - of finding my identity. It was amazing. If I had to make the choice again, I would undoubtedly choose joy prom over my senior prom, no hesitation.