To Dance or Not to Dance, That is the Question

As the cliche GUY that I am...I don't dance. It's probably better for the physical safety of those in my general vicinity as well as the spiritual and emotional well-being of those within line-of-sight.

Tracy came to learn very early on in our courtship that there actually are times when I will dance. Not at all at the Euro-trash club we went to that played techno-rave music for 4 hours while I just hung back and chilled. But rather with the rest of the mainstream children of the 90's at Retroactive at the Varisty several weeks later belting out every word to "Baby Got Back" with bold confidence (she was not impressed...but she does dig my ability to "Footloose"). :-)

So when it comes to a church or church event that encourages dance, I admit I was both skeptical and taken aback. Yet Biblicly there are examples of dancing and shouting that pleased God. So, it took me a bit to get into the groove, but as I told my pastor a few weeks ago, if I can hoot, hollar, and dance for Skid Row, I should certainly be able to rock out for Jesus.

My four year old, Isabella, has been in dance class for two years. She loves it. The ballet outfits, the whole Princess deal, the recital. I should have known something was afoot when, as a two year old, she was dancing to Abba's "Waterloo" in Dillard's.

She dances at home to anything on the radio, to closing credits of Pixar films; she does this wriggling, shoulder-shaking move while strapped into her car seat. I used to sing "Maniac" before bedtime stories and she did this whole running in place move.

It makes me laugh and smile to see her giving it her all. I get so much pleasure to see her at her dance recital (there's some cost justification there as well). Dance recitals are such a family affair - her last one was at the P-Mac on LSU's campus. Wow, so many people enjoying seeing their daughter, sister, niece, cousin, or grand-daughter dancing.

So now here comes my deep thought for the day...

If I, a mortal man, can get this much pleasure out of my own child dancing, how much more pleasure must God get from seeing His children dancing for Him? He gave us the music - just as I turn on the television or radio or sing for my own child. He blessed so many people with so many different forms of music - something for everyone. Maybe He laughs, a deep belly kind of laugh, and shakes his head with tears of joy in His eyes to see His children laughing and enjoying themselves, shouting and dancing, proclaiming joy and celebrating life. I like to think that He does.

I hear His words in my heart, stirring in my soul, the same words that I spoke to my own daughter only a few nights ago, "Come now, child, give us a dance."