So it’s all come down to this.
This is the day the Lord has made, and the day to bless a number of women who have not had things go very well for them. Like all of us, they have contributed to their misfortune – no one is entirely innocent – but God’s grace is no respecter of persons, or perhaps we should say it is a respecter of all persons.
Tonight, some people who have not been treated well by life will be treated like the queens that they are. Tonight their clothes will match their inner beauty, and perhaps, at least some of them will get a glimpse of their true identity.
Tonight the shoe is on the other foot. In a very small way, we get to turn the tide of culture, of society, of protocol, of opportunity. Tonight we get to bring 65 women off the street, clothe them in finery and treat them to a banquet. This is not a soup kitchen; it’s a fashion show, and a look at the star-studded cast tells you this is where you want to be.
Nor is it a joke. When Marti first started doing these events, I worried about this. I worried that they might think we were making a joke at their expense. But these women have consistently surprised us by enthusiastically stepped into any roll we’ve created for them. They have won academy awards, given acceptance speeches, danced with the stars, and celebrated teatime. No, if anything, the joke has been on us for thinking we were any different – that we were on the other side of the tracks, or the line, or the fence, or any barrier we have erected in our minds to assure us that we would never be in their predicament.
No, the joke’s on us. We are the ones with the impoverished souls and the ungodly attitudes. We are the ones who should laugh the loudest to think a few dollars could make any difference. Like the song says: “money can’t make up for it or conceal it.”
That is what makes this so good for everyone. Tonight we all get to be on the runway. Operation runway is just that – an operation that opens ones eyes to the Grace of God that humiliates us all, lifts us all up, and puts us all on display.
I’m personally rather tired of the song, but I must say that this time it’s really true: Tonight’s gonna be a good night.
John Fischer The Catch 
I can’t wait until tomorrow to hear how the fashion show went. I know that everyone who attends will be blessed. Thank you for giving these ladies a chance to feel special!
My hat’s off to you two for your helping these women become “Queen For A Day”. How wonderful. I love the Catch. You & Marti are teaching us how to offer God’s grace indiscriminately, offer mercy freely, love unconditionally, and how to put our faith into action. The kingdom of God is at hand and we are invited to be a part of it. I get it.
What a wonderful event. We will be praying for Gods favor on the event and everyone involved.
I’m looking forward to hearing how the evening went for everyone! However, after reading this, I began to wonder, what about “my city.” Here in this town where I live! I haven’t seen or heard of any “shelters for the homeless,” “soup kitchens” or anything that is done for the poor. And I live in a pretty well-off part of town, right outside of Houston…You and Marti are inspiring me to look in to this matter, as I just might know, and see what my family and I can do to also, in whatever way, bring God’s message of love and grace to some of our own homeless children of God! Thanks for your example. Have a BLAST tonight!!!
I’m sure you will find much that is going on.
Correction: “as I just might not know…” :o)
Thanks John! In defense of this wonderful city that I live in. Let me say that there is an organization that stores food and even recently opened up a retail store (like Goodwill) where in they give back to the comm. through it. However, I don’t know yet (just 3yrs. here) of a “hands-on” type of happenings like what you and Marti are doing! I’m not undermining their work, just hoping to find something more like that. So, I will keep searching and let you and Marti know, one day, what I found. Thanks!
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One more thing!…I’m not well-off by any means; just your average middle-class family trying to make it! My need to say this is mixed with, caring about how my statement could’ve sounded, like I’m naive to what it’s like to “not have,” as I grew up in L.A in a middle-class family, and fed the homeless of down-town many times, through church growing up. By no means, am I trying to impress, just wanting my story to be represented correctly. And still have a ways to go with learning how to express and communicate clearly… 🙂