Page 21 - July 2024 News On 7

UNVEILING TRUE BEAUTY IN CHRIST: REFLECTIONS FROM MADOC
BAPTIST CHURCH'S STRAWBERRY SOCIAL

"For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s
family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

As the Cherish Women’s Ministry of Madoc Baptist Church prepared for this year’s Strawberry Social event, one
committee member shared the intriguing fact that, in the Netherlands, strawberries are known as "Zomerkoninkjes,"
translating to "Summer Kings" in English. As we know, strawberries, or “Summer Kings”, grow abundantly during this time
of year and mark the arrival of early summer. They symbolize the simple joys and blessings of the season, reminding us of
God’s provision and the beauty found in His creation.
The Strawberry Social is a special tradition at Madoc Baptist Church where ladies from the community gather for an
evening of fellowship and fun. They enjoy white cake topped with strawberries, and this year, guests were encouraged to
wear a hint of strawberry in their outfits. A highlight of the event was a mock Beauty Pageant for entertainment. The
evening also included musical performances, games, and other activities to engage everyone. Beyond the fun, the
gathering provided a chance to honour God and spend time in devotional reflection.
So, as I prepared this devotional to present at our event, I got thinking about the term “Summer Kings” and was inspired
to learn more about the origin of that name. Amazingly, when I entered the words “origin of the term summer kings or
Zomerkoninkjes in the Netherlands” only one article came up in my search! Unfortunately, it didn’t explain how Summer
Kings got their name but I did learn another fun fact:

For those of us who have been keeping up with the news of the Netherlands, you know that in 2013 Queen Beatrix
abdicated after 33 years, passing the throne to her son Willem-Alexander. This historic event marked the return of a king
after 123 years.

Now, even though I didn't make the cut to be a contestant for our Beauty Pageant (let's face it, my particular skillset isn't
exactly what pageant judges are looking for), one of the talents God has given me is the ability to connect unrelated
themes to create a narrative.

So here are the three themes I had to work with to create this devotional:
A Beauty Pageant
A song: (I Am Not My Own by The Gettys)
And a fun fact about Strawberries

The first thing that came to mind when we decided to host a Beauty Pageant was the story of Esther. Scripture tells us that
Esther was a beautiful young woman who found favour in the eyes of the king. In fact, Esther was a biblical “Beauty
Queen”, often acknowledged for her intelligence, courage, humility, and talent for hospitality. However, her greatest
strength lay in her unwavering faith in God and her love for her people.
Despite the allure of being Queen and the admiration of the King, she remained focused on her divine purpose. Esther's
readiness to risk everything - including her own life - to save her people from destruction, demonstrated her exceptional
courage and selflessness. Her story teaches us the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of great
danger and uncertainty.
In contrast, Queen Vashti's actions remind us of the consequences of pride and disobedience, highlighting the importance
of humility and submission in certain situations. Both women serve as powerful examples of different paths one can take
when faced with difficult choices.
Tonight's Pageant was a beautiful reminder of the power of vulnerability and courage. Even though we are all among
friends here, it still takes a great deal of bravery to step onto the stage and ham it up for the rest of us.

To read more click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1euP8-ZRpyeWjD3RrPlPNWuOzY9gnb2OBUU6KFeuQvQM/edit

Tracy is a Marketplace Minister, licensed wedding officiant, life/marriage coach, and funeral celebrant.
For more info, visit xolifecelebrations.com.