Time for 5 minute Friday where I join with other writers to write
purely for the joy of the craft. Unscripted. Unedited. Real. Today's
word....
My name may mean grace, but graceful I am not. Klutz is more accurate. Like all my mom's wedding china? Yeah, broke most of it. A plate the other day actually. And I'm 24. Some things never change.
That being said, dancing has never come naturally. I've always wanted to learn, but never in the spotlight. But that all changed 3 summers ago in Colorado. My last night at my leadership program, one of my friends grabbed my hand, pulled me off the couch, and led me to the center of the room. He was determined to teach me to swing dance.
Despite my desperate pleading, he patiently guided me through every step, every move, never letting me go. "RELAX" was the name of the game.
"Just let go!" he told me. Slowly, I began to follow his lead. I would do well for a little while and then lose my focus, remember I wasn't in control, worry about missing the next step, and I would stop following his lead...and we would mess up.
Thank goodness for patient friends who push past our fears and insecurities and face them with us. My fear was never of dancing itself, but of lacking control, of messing up, of being less than perfect.
What a joke. Life is a complicated dance. And we don't dance alone. My Savior reminds me to follow his lead every day
And since that dance lesson, the steps have become easier and easier. I've learned to let go. I've learned to follow the Man holding me up, telling me He's got it.
"Relax. Trust me. I will never let you go. Let me do something beautiful with you."
It's a picture of that ugly "s" word so many of us shy away from, but couldn't be more beautiful to me now. It's a picture of my daily dance with my Savior, and man, is He patient with me. My feet have learned to follow His, my body twirls in and out as he leads, swaying to the music.
And in my surrender to this dance, there is complete and total freedom and joy.
Linking up with the Gypsy Mama.
Dance
My name may mean grace, but graceful I am not. Klutz is more accurate. Like all my mom's wedding china? Yeah, broke most of it. A plate the other day actually. And I'm 24. Some things never change.
That being said, dancing has never come naturally. I've always wanted to learn, but never in the spotlight. But that all changed 3 summers ago in Colorado. My last night at my leadership program, one of my friends grabbed my hand, pulled me off the couch, and led me to the center of the room. He was determined to teach me to swing dance.Despite my desperate pleading, he patiently guided me through every step, every move, never letting me go. "RELAX" was the name of the game.
"Just let go!" he told me. Slowly, I began to follow his lead. I would do well for a little while and then lose my focus, remember I wasn't in control, worry about missing the next step, and I would stop following his lead...and we would mess up.
Thank goodness for patient friends who push past our fears and insecurities and face them with us. My fear was never of dancing itself, but of lacking control, of messing up, of being less than perfect.
What a joke. Life is a complicated dance. And we don't dance alone. My Savior reminds me to follow his lead every day
And since that dance lesson, the steps have become easier and easier. I've learned to let go. I've learned to follow the Man holding me up, telling me He's got it.
"Relax. Trust me. I will never let you go. Let me do something beautiful with you."
It's a picture of that ugly "s" word so many of us shy away from, but couldn't be more beautiful to me now. It's a picture of my daily dance with my Savior, and man, is He patient with me. My feet have learned to follow His, my body twirls in and out as he leads, swaying to the music.
And in my surrender to this dance, there is complete and total freedom and joy.
Linking up with the Gypsy Mama.
Awesome!!! Love love LOVE this. I can just see you dancing with Him now, and it makes me want to get out there and let Him twirl me around, too. <3
ReplyDelete"
ReplyDeleteMy fear was never of dancing itself, but of lacking control, of messing up, of being less than perfect."
I think you have articulated a timeless truth. I can usually trace my fear back to "lacking control." I love that your friend created the space for you to learn. What fun. I hope you'll continue to dance!
Love your blog it is Simply Beautiful! Well named. I'm coming by from Lisa-jo's. And I'll bet I could have you dancing in no time at all. You have a beautiful heart for the Lord and I have loved visiting your blog. Have a wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteYes, that 's' word...the world made it ugly....i fought it for years and now....oh, I long to submit (oh, I wrote it out loud).....more and more every day!
ReplyDeleteFreedom...joy...and peace. Wonderful post.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. I'm learning to surrender to the dance. What an adventure when we do!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.positivelyalene.com/2012/06/29/lifes-a-cha-cha/
Oh I LOVE this post! What a fabulous picture you painted of following Jesus' lead and how fun it is... because dancing is FUN!
ReplyDeleteYou might appreciate my blog on The Dance of Life. Here is where to find it. http://twgauthors.blogspot.ca/2011/10/dance-of-life-eleanor-shepherd.html
ReplyDeleteSurrender is not easy. But when we surrender to God and his will, we surely find freedom and joy. Dance with God is always amazing!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful thought of you.
I LOVE THIS. I'm a klutz, too, but this is such a beautiful application of letting our Savior lead. Thanks for writing this!
ReplyDeleteCome join us! Loved having you here!
ReplyDeleteI remember this lession often. Thank the Lord who have the courage to push us to be more and grow closer to the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for visiting. Your comment is such a huge encouragement. And, I would love the dance lessons. I could use the pointers!
ReplyDeleteJoin me! I realize daily how far I have to go, and yet look back at how far I've come! So glad the Lord is never finished with us! We are works in progress.
ReplyDeleteYou summed it up well. Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteJoining this fun adventure with you!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thanks for reading, Sarah!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Eleanor!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that so weird? Surrender=freedom. I love the Lord's sense of humor and grand plan.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet a fellow klutz! I'm so glad the Lord makes up for what I lack there! I never slip when I follow His lead!
ReplyDelete