A couple years ago, around Halloween, my grandson, Mason, turned me onto Halloween Wars. So this past Halloween I checked it out again, and I was hooked. While I'm not a huge Halloween fan, I was amazed at the spooktacular creations made by carved pumpkins, pulled sugar, and massive cakes. Well, my fascination took me from Halloween into Thanksgiving and on to Christmas.
The creative processes involved in constructing these masterpieces was beyond my comprehension. These were not merely bakers, they were artists. I found myself listening to the exhibitors stories, learning about their families and what drove them to put everything on the line for a chance to participate in these daunting events, and hopefully win. I had my favorites and I would cheer them on from my living room...ecstatic if they won, saddened if they were sent home.
The creative processes involved in constructing these masterpieces was beyond my comprehension. These were not merely bakers, they were artists. I found myself listening to the exhibitors stories, learning about their families and what drove them to put everything on the line for a chance to participate in these daunting events, and hopefully win. I had my favorites and I would cheer them on from my living room...ecstatic if they won, saddened if they were sent home.
A little over a week ago, while wrapping Christmas presents, I watched a new show, at least to me, about a massive Gingerbread contest. Now, when I say gingerbread what pops into your mind? Cute houses glued together with icing and decked with all sorts of candy? There were no cute little houses to be seen. These masterpieces took the artists months and months to create. They were massive, spectacular, gorgeous, completely edible, works of art and in some cases engineering.
I watched with bated breath as these artisans carefully packed and delivered their gingerbread marvels to the hotel where the exhibit was held, and ever so carefully placed them on the tables. Only then did the exhibitors take a breath. And yes, I had my favorites. I also had one particular woman who I hoped with all my heart would not win. Ouch! Sounds harsh? Well let me explain.
This woman had been a 3 time champion and had decided she wouldn't do any more contests. But, she got an idea and that's all it took. She was back in. At one point, after she had delivered her piece and was heading out of the hotel, she met one of the new exhibitors wheeling his piece in. The woman stopped and spoke to the young man, and proceeded to say, "You know who I am, don't you?" The young man nodded, I think he even mentioned her name. Well, the woman, barely listening, proceeded to tell him that she was the three time champion of this contest. (No humility there)
The woman then noticed a couple of the man's figures on his piece and asked how he made them. He answered that he used some kind of ginger paste. To which the woman announced, "You know who first created that paste don't you? I did!" This woman had a serious attitude. She was grand champion and she made sure he knew it.
Well, the time finally came for the winner to be announced, and let me tell you, the judges had some serious work to do. These pieces were phenomenal. The host called the top ten forward, and no surprise, Ms. Grand Champion, was one of them, smug smile plastered across her face. That smile quickly disappeared when the winner's name was called. Horrors! It wasn't her.
The young woman, one of my favorites, had created a whimsical woodland scene upon a circular pedestal. When the judges bent to see beneath they saw the intricate root system of the tree hanging down. This young woman when hearing her name jumped up and down and whooped with glee. The camera man quickly panned from the ecstatic winner to the three time grand champ. To say she wasn't happy would be a gross understatement.
I watched with bated breath as these artisans carefully packed and delivered their gingerbread marvels to the hotel where the exhibit was held, and ever so carefully placed them on the tables. Only then did the exhibitors take a breath. And yes, I had my favorites. I also had one particular woman who I hoped with all my heart would not win. Ouch! Sounds harsh? Well let me explain.
This woman had been a 3 time champion and had decided she wouldn't do any more contests. But, she got an idea and that's all it took. She was back in. At one point, after she had delivered her piece and was heading out of the hotel, she met one of the new exhibitors wheeling his piece in. The woman stopped and spoke to the young man, and proceeded to say, "You know who I am, don't you?" The young man nodded, I think he even mentioned her name. Well, the woman, barely listening, proceeded to tell him that she was the three time champion of this contest. (No humility there)
The woman then noticed a couple of the man's figures on his piece and asked how he made them. He answered that he used some kind of ginger paste. To which the woman announced, "You know who first created that paste don't you? I did!" This woman had a serious attitude. She was grand champion and she made sure he knew it.
Well, the time finally came for the winner to be announced, and let me tell you, the judges had some serious work to do. These pieces were phenomenal. The host called the top ten forward, and no surprise, Ms. Grand Champion, was one of them, smug smile plastered across her face. That smile quickly disappeared when the winner's name was called. Horrors! It wasn't her.
The young woman, one of my favorites, had created a whimsical woodland scene upon a circular pedestal. When the judges bent to see beneath they saw the intricate root system of the tree hanging down. This young woman when hearing her name jumped up and down and whooped with glee. The camera man quickly panned from the ecstatic winner to the three time grand champ. To say she wasn't happy would be a gross understatement.
After watching this show, I watched a couple other baking and cooking competitions, but I watched with new eyes. One show in particular had the winners from former contests. They were put into teams of two and given their assignments. I remembered two of the contestants from previous shows, and remembered when they won. I was sort of happy for them. This time, however, I was hoping they would lose. The man proceeded to announce that he had been in three prior contests and had never lost a single time...he wasn't planning on losing this time either. The woman had pretty much the same attitude. Let's just say they did not leave that contest happy.
After watching a couple more shows, one was Chopped, I began to pay close attention to the contestants attitudes. Some, even though they were incredible cooks, were extremely humble. They were hoping to start a business, or help their families with the winnings; they wanted to make their families proud. Others knew they were good and didn't waste time announcing their talent to all. They had this contest in the bag. They would be going home winners, no question. Time after time I noticed the braggarts would mess up in someway and be sent home with jaws agape. The quiet, humble chefs did their jobs to perfection and ultimately won.
After watching a couple more shows, one was Chopped, I began to pay close attention to the contestants attitudes. Some, even though they were incredible cooks, were extremely humble. They were hoping to start a business, or help their families with the winnings; they wanted to make their families proud. Others knew they were good and didn't waste time announcing their talent to all. They had this contest in the bag. They would be going home winners, no question. Time after time I noticed the braggarts would mess up in someway and be sent home with jaws agape. The quiet, humble chefs did their jobs to perfection and ultimately won.
Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. He warned against pride...so much so that it is one of the seven deadly sins. Pride goes before the fall. The first will be last and the last first. I could go on and on. Jesus, although He was a King, became a servant; to the point of washing His apostles feet. He warned in a parable concerning guests at a wedding table, not to take the most important seat because the Host may have that seat reserved for someone of greater import, and you would be asked to move down. Rather, sit in a less obvious seat and perhaps the host will invite you to move forward.
The arrogant contestants on these shows should have remembered this lesson. Instead, they were served a heaping helping of Humble Pie. I wouldn't have wanted to be them and have my family and friends watch the shows, hear my bragging, watch me be sent home. Being sent home would not be bad, having my prideful, arrogance splashed across the big screen for all to see, that would be bad...at least for me.
To make a long story short (too late) Humble pie does not taste good. Jesus knew what He was talking about. Let us strive for humility rather than pride. Let us strive to be an example of Jesus and His love. Let us strive...
The arrogant contestants on these shows should have remembered this lesson. Instead, they were served a heaping helping of Humble Pie. I wouldn't have wanted to be them and have my family and friends watch the shows, hear my bragging, watch me be sent home. Being sent home would not be bad, having my prideful, arrogance splashed across the big screen for all to see, that would be bad...at least for me.
To make a long story short (too late) Humble pie does not taste good. Jesus knew what He was talking about. Let us strive for humility rather than pride. Let us strive to be an example of Jesus and His love. Let us strive...
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