“We’ve got evidence. We’re the living proof. You keep promises. And your word won’t fail.” Out of my church’s speakers, Naomi Raine crooned these lyrics, simultaneously convincing and convicting me. There’s a story behind that. 

Earlier that day, I celebrated the fourth anniversary of my first book, “Claim Your Crown.” My church was also celebrating opening its first store and what an honor it was to see all three of my books on display. It was a day of jubilee all around; it was also the very same day that I received a phone call with the opportunity to represent Haiti at one of the top three pageants, Miss Supranational. I did not see that coming!

After informing the Miss Supranational Haiti organizers that I needed some time to make a decision, I shared the news with my parents. Rejoicing, my mother exclaimed, “I knew you would be called back for a crown!” Then, I quickly got ready for church—it was also our prophetic worship night for the month of February.  

My siblings and I serve in different ministries so they were already at the church. I texted them and watched our group chat blow up—my sisters sending me emojis and photos of their jaws on the ground and tears brimming their eyes. My brother, using dramatic screen effects every chance he got. They exclaimed about how huge the opportunity was and asked why I didn’t wait to tell them in person. Then they asked, “you said ‘yes’, right?”

But I didn’t say yes…and for a couple of reasons. The primary reason being: My dream was to represent Haiti at Miss Universe, and while competing at Miss Supranational would be a wild achievement, I wanted to ensure I was aligned with the will of God. I was determined not to be derailed from where I was setting my sights—the promise God made to me. 

I put my phone aside and sang along. The songs on the set list were all about “laying our crowns” and the promises of God. I smiled at that, sensing His nudge. But then, I suddenly sensed my Father’s approval; I was overcome with emotion as I became very aware of His “yes.” 

I vividly remembered the moment as I saw my youngest sister grace the stage. Listening to the lyrics and watching the dancers beautifully interpret “Evidence,” it marked a moment for me. In the intro, Naomi Raine spoke about how sometimes we don’t know what to do when what we prayed for is within reach. And in those times, we must remember that we are living proof that God always keeps His word.

She said, “We ordered a stage, the stage came, and now we’re standing on the stage. We’re second guessing. Oh, no, we just stand on it, we walk on it.”

It suddenly dawned on me that my dream of representing Haiti on a global stage was truly happening—just in a different way. As the song says, “same God, different promise.”  I ordered this God-ordained promise to manifest and now that it is here, I will stand on it. I will walk. Better yet, I will strut.

The journey wasn’t at all what I thought it would look like but it has made this experience that much more beautiful. It was then I said “yes” to the assignment and my “yes” opened my eyes to see the blessing. It wasn’t hitting me then, but how amazing is it that I was appointed a crown on the anniversary of my book that teaches others how to claim theirs?

I prepared for months and worked hard to steward my career and church life. Thankfully, I found favor with my job at Cosmopolitan and the team worked with me so I could go off to compete without concern of my responsibilities at work. I went on to live in Poland and represent Haiti on a global scale for three whole weeks.

There’s a lot I can share about what it was like competing. But I’ll go into details over on my substack, called “The Crown Column.” For now, I am grateful to have experienced the power of bold faith in this way. I am living proof that God keeps promises and that dreams do come true in His perfect timing.

The Passion Translation of Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen.” 

In this scripture, we see that hope is a necessary foundation for the promises God lays on our hearts. These promises won’t come into fruition how we imagined them to—there will be detours, delays, and even some moments of disappointments…but it will always happen. In the times that you don’t see the evidence, you become God’s evidence. In the times, you are waiting for more, God manifests the full promise in His own way.

Friend, I want to leave you with this. “Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God, and you will dwell in the land, feasting on his faithfulness. Find your delight  and true pleasure in Yahweh, and he will give you what you desire the most.” (Psalms 37:3-4)

No matter what your situation looks like or how long it might take, you are indeed evidence of God’s promises.