Dancing

This has been a summer full of busy days.  We have had little trips here and there, lots of fun with visitors, and last week we started the summer camp marathon.  Silas and Jewel have both been attending swim lessons all summer, just once a week on Wednesday afternoons.  But, Silas had three really fun camps that he was signed up for all in a row, and I had really nothing extra for Jewel.  I didn't mind at first, we never did summer camps for Silas when he was three, but it's hard to be left out when you are part of the taxi crew and every day you get to watch your big brother get ready for adventure after adventure and you just don't.  So, we heard about a 3-4 year old dance class at a dance studio that is very close to the house.  I didn't say anything about it to Jewel, but I started looking into it.  Remarkably, it was very inexpensive and the scheduling would fit perfect into our other camp commitments.  The place was keeping summertime hours and I could not get ahold of anyone at the desk.  So, two Mondays ago, I took my greatest mommy risk of all times.

I got Jewel up and told her about the class.  We got all ready and raced out the door to stop at Target on the way and get a leotard and tights and dance shoes.  My plan was to show up to the first class and REALLY PRAY they had room for her.  It was a serious gamble as we were there, totally decked out, ready for dancing, and not sure if they had an extra spot.  By God's grace, they did.  In fact, it was by God's incredible blessing and I am sure by his good plans for her that they did.  

Jewel lives her life with pure abandonment.  She does not reserve or hold back.  She allows herself to be overcome by what is in front of her.  She totally throws herself into the moment.  Truthfully, I live vicariously through this vibrant life.  

When we found out that she could attend, she jumped up and down, hugged all of us as tight as she could, and without skipping a beat she got in line with the other girls to go into their room and meet their teacher.  They spent the first 10 minutes sitting together on the floor, getting to know one another and getting comfortable.  Then they started their stretching and trying some basic moves.  Then...the teacher turned on the music.  The girls followed her around the room, mimicking her graceful movements.  As they turned toward us, the smile on Jewel's face brought tears to my eyes.  Oh, she was SO there!!  She was completely unaware of the audience, totally unphased by the other people in the class, she was just dancing her little heart out.  

Throughout the class they did many different activities and practiced a lot of different ways, but the smile on Jewel's face never left.  I stood at the huge windows only mildly aware of Silas and Trey playing at my feet, the other mothers chatting and watching their girls, and tears just continued to fall from my eyes.  Yes, she is brave, she is self confident, she is strong...but she is glowing from the inside out in there.  Her heart is so full.  

About a month ago she and I were in the bathroom.  Whenever we end up in there together, she exclaims with gladness, "Mom, it's just the girls in here!  We are having special time!"  She had just finished going to the bathroom and I was fixing my hair.  She was looking out the bathroom window over the backyard and the property and the view beyond that.  After she had been standing there a while I said, "Jewel, isn't it beautiful out there?  I am so thankful for the view God gave us from this house.  I love our green grass and the big trees and the bright sun and blue sky, it is very beautiful."  She turned around and put her arms out and started spinning slowly.  She danced.  As she twirled and spun and tiptoed she said, "It is beautiful, Mom.  It is so beautiful that it makes me just want to worship!  I just want to dance and worship.  It's like I am just dancing for Jesus to say thank you!"

Every Monday morning when we go to dance class I remember her sharing her heart during our bathroom special time.  She is right.  It's like she just transports to the throne room of her King, and she is dancing and worshiping before the Lord.  It makes me say thank you again and again...for the divine arrangement of this worship service.  It's a fantastic way to start our week.