I met a wonderful lady last week. She goes to my parents small group and I learned that she (I believe) is the Director/Owner of one or more dance studios. I told her how I used to take dance and how I loved every minute of it, but followed that statement with…”I was not very good though.” (I was just letting her know that just because I loved it tremendously did not mean I was a good dancer). She immediately scolded me in the kindest way possible because I said I wasnt good. She told me that my Heavenly Father watched and enjoyed my dancing and relished in it and that is all that really matters and she went on to say how that is one of her goals…to help girls understand that you dont have to be the best dancer…you dont have to compare yourself to the next girl…just enjoy it!
I thought that was so refreshing to hear! And talking to her has made me think back and remember those times dancing. I never had dance teachers like that. I wish I had.
I was never really really really great at something. You know how some people just have a gift and natural,raw talent for something…and while I have talents…none of them are outstanding. They just arent. So growing up I didnt know what to do. I tried many extracurricular activities. My body build was way more fit for something like cheerleading…not ballet. But I hated cheerleading and I loved to dance.
In high school we had something called Fall Shows where the dance center would put on a theatrical dance show and we would perform it for all the schools. One year it was Peter Pan and I was cast as a Pirate. I remember so many things about that show. There was so much magic to it…so different than a plain recital. The smell of those old wood stage floors…the heavy velvet curtains…the darkness of backstage…the hush of the crowd before the first sound of music begins…the nerves and adrenaline of performing in front of people…the feeling of being sort of a “star” (at least to the little ones who see you that way)…the flowers afterward…missing school…sore and achy muscles…
Gosh..it was all so gloriously wonderful!!!
And then you grow up.
And dancing is done.
Where in the real adult world there is no dancing…just trying to get things done…trying to get through one more day…trying to make it..
I want to be great at something now. I want to be outstanding at loving my Creator…the One who invented dance and the body to move and look like the woman pictured above. I want Him to look at the dance of my life and be so pleased. I want Him to relish in the beauty…the grace…the movement of it all.
The movement of a life devoted to Him.
The movement of a dancer who may not be Prima Ballerina here on earth…but one that receives a standing ovation from the audience of the only One that truly matters anyway.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend!….Dance a little…..
