An Invitation to Dance…(and a true-love give-away!)
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I’ve been saving a seat for you!
If you’re stopping over from Proverbs 31, I hope you’ll stay a while and enjoy a second dose of encouragement.
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Today, over at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I’m telling about the first time I danced with my husband beneath the light of the disco ball at the eighth grade prom. Yeah, I was glad he was wearing deodorant. Wanna know why? You can read all about it at Encouragement for Today. And while you’re there, you can learn what marrying that handsome boy from junior high has taught me about the shape of TRUE LOVE!
And speaking of dancing, I’ve got one more tale to tell…
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When we lived in a small Iowa town tucked between cornfields and wide open farmland, one of the sweetest events of the year was the annual Father-Daughter Dance.
This special evening was a night designed just for Daddies and their school-aged daughters.
Though the Father-Daughter Dance marked the unofficial leap into spring, my girls began anticipating the fun long before the snow melted and the tulips bloomed.
We shopped for dresses.
Practiced hairstyles.
And planned accessories.
And when the week of the big dance finally arrived, the “ball” was the talk of the town. The school-agers chatted about it on the soccer field, in the classroom, and on the school bus.
They compared notes on hair-dos, dresses, and dinner plans.
And, in perfect female fashion, they ended nearly every conversation with high-pitched squeals and enthusiastic hand-clapping.
One year, on the eve of the Father-Daughter Dance, I was working in the concession stand at the soccer field with my firstborn daughter, Lizzy, and some of her teammates.
Of course, the girls’ minds weren’t on the soccer games at hand or on the hungry customers lining up for half-time snacks.
Their thoughts were fixed on the upcoming hoopla.
“Are you going to the Daddy-daughter dance tomorrow?” one of Lizzy’s teammates asked her as they waited for a little boy at the window to count his money.
“Yep,” Lizzy said with unabashed nine-year-old glee. “My dad is an awesome dancer.” Lizzy bust a move like a dance diva to accentuate her point.
I raised my eyebrows at the mom who was grilling hot dogs beside me, and we dutifully swallowed our giggles.
“Does your Dad dance with you the whole time?” the incredulous teammate asked.
“Well, with me and my little sister,” Lizzy responded with a flip of her curly hair.
Lizzy’s teammate raised her eyebrow.
“Oh. So, you have to bring your little sister along, too?”
“Yeah,”Lizzy replied. “She’s in kindergarten.”
The conversation waned in awkward silence, and then Lizzy’s teammate commented smugly, “Too bad you have to share the dance with your sister. She probably just wants to do baby moves all night.”
I bit my tongue in an attempt to silence the mommy-bear growl rising up from my toes.
What are baby moves anyway? I wondered, trying not look as irritated as a I felt.
But before I could say a word, Lizzy squelched the slam-your-sister flame before it had a chance to burst into a cynical fire.
“It’s no big deal,” Lizzy said. “My Dad loves us both. And he dances totally different with each of us.”
The smirking teammate gave Lizzy a wry shrug and turned to bag some popcorn.
I fixed my eyes on the cash box. And I hoped that my precious girl wouldn’t spot her mommy’s tears.
After all, how could I explain to my nine-year-old daughter that what she’d just voiced about her own daddy is the thing I love most about my Heavenly Father?
He loves me.
And I know He loves you, too.
But what I treasure about my Daddy in Heaven is that the dance we share is designed just for two.
My Heavenly Father knows what thrills my soul and what makes me feel beautiful.
He knows when I need to twirl across the dance floor and when I need to lean my weary head on those shoulders that carry the world.
He knows when I need to sing at the top of my lungs and when I need to sway silently to the beat of His Holy heart.
The One who gave His all to ransom my soul will do whatever it takes to capture my heart.
And He’ll do whatever it takes to capture yours, too.
This romancing is intensely personal.It will be as if it has been scripted for your heart.He knows what takes your breath away, knows what makes your heart beat faster…Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to Holy tearshas been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart.God’s versions of flowers and chocolates and candlelight dinners comes in the form of sunsets and falling stars,moonlight on lakes and cricket symphonies; warm wind, swaying trees, lush gardens, and fierce devotion.
So, go ahead, Sister.
Grab your Daddy’s hand and dance.
Baby moves or big-girl grooves.
Shimmy or disco or strut.
It doesn’t matter how you move, just step into your Heavenly Father’s arms and let Him sweep you off your feet this Valentine’s Day.
He’s waiting for you on the dance floor.
I’ll be there, too.
But don’t worry… there’s plenty of room in our Daddy’s arms for both of us!
“You’ve captured my heart… You looked at me, and I fell in love.” Song of Songs 4:8
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Today, I’m giving away a True-Love-Gift Basket in honor of the fourteenth of February….
Today, I’m giving away a True-Love-Gift Basket in honor of the fourteenth of February…. It’s just a sweet little mix of treats to help you celebrate the One who loves you most….
*a bag of Ghirardelli chocolate
*a duo of gently scented hand lotion and soap
And one of my all-time favorite ways to start each day–
*Sarah Young’s classic Jesus Calling devotional.
If you’d like to be entered into the drawing to win this prize, simply tell me in the comments what dance move best defines your relationship with our Heavenly Father.
OR, if that’s too crazy…just tell me what you love about Him most!
Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friends.
Alicia,
What a sweet image of your daughters dancing with your husband and that glimpse into their confident feelings of love by their Dad. I love that about my Abba God best too, the safe confident security that he loves and delights in me, always and forever.
Have a great week,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
A very unsure baby moves.
He dances a beautiful ballet with me making me feel as if no one else is even on the dance floor – a special dance for two. This is such a beautiful and moving post Alicia. Thanks so much for sharing. Valentine’s day (or as we refer to it as the day of love) is also our wedding anniversary so it holds special meaning for us and your post just added to my day of love : )
ice dancing. God holds me up and helps me glide gracefully over the ice, even when I feel unbalanced
Whether the Lord and I are twirling, leaping, bending, gliding or nearly flying through the air, He is an accomplished ballet dancers which He make my life look graceful and effortless.
When I’m at my best, people probably don’t wonder how I got my life into those positions. They don’t think about how difficult it must be to stay (literally) on one’s toes for so long. People don’t marvel at this turn or that bend in life. In other words they don’t dwell on the details: They get caught up in the magic as our dance seem to defy gravity and the limitation of human anatomy, all for the Love He has for me. Life: our story, our passion, our dance is what matters.
Ballet. Ballet is so beautiful and graceful. I wanted to learn when I was young but it was outside the family budget and considered “too elite” for my station in life in our little town. That was reserved for the daughters of lawyers and doctors, not the local baker. I watch sometimes on TV and the lifts and twirls are just so, precise and serene. Yes, I would want it to be ballet – when I dance with my Heavenly Father! But it is probably a jitter bug right now! Yes, at this stage it would be a jitter bug.
Alicia, I would describe my dance with the Lord as ice dancing … a medley… beginning with a rock n roll number as He watches my wild moves in the 60’s and 70’s…into the 80’s…and as the 90’s roll in, it is that part of the program where the dancing is truly dancing as a couple. The moves are parallel and we glide across the ice.. to music that stirs even the angels. As He carries me and gently slides me back to the ice, I in turn trust that He will never let me fall and even though the ice is slippery, I remain on my feet, because He is always close and holding onto me. It is a dance that, like the journey, may not always be a perfect 10 for me but with Him, the score is unmatched… a dance that continues to grow in faith and trust with His abundant Grace…in His Love!
occasionally I try to do the Can-Can…as in I think I “can” do this one my own…but then he (gently or not so gently) reminds me I can’t. Then the dance is more of a freestyle…embracing the circumstances that change from day to day.
The Texas 2 Step 🙂 My heavenly Father leads…I try my hand at leading occasionally (that doesn’t work so swell)… Sometimes I faulter, step on the hem of my dress, and/or have difficulty catching the beat… He is ever faithful holding my hand…following his lead, gazing into His eyes, trusting Him we gracefully circle the dance floor of life. I like that analogy, thank you!!
At the right moment, God knows exactly how and where to meet me when I need to know His overwhelming embrace the most. Like now with what you have so beautifully heart spoken from your heart today in both devotions. Thank you Alicia for sharing the talents and gifts God has given you. May God bless you richly and continue to fill you with awe in Him as you move faith forward into all the places He takes you living and loving Jesus into the world.
Just the fact that I can run to Him for help and that He is always there for me – is truly amazing! That is all I have ever needed. I can place my head on His shoulder and he will take all my troubles away and calms me. He is my Heavenly Father and He loves me! He gave me peace from my abusive childhood and gave me a good memory of each of my parents – so I could heal. The daddy dance we would share would be The Father holding me with His Arms and swaying to the music. Such joy and peace.
The two step! His two steps forward & my one step back, but always moving and feeling his love wrapped around me in everything I do!
His moves are perfect. I’m always tripping over my feet. The landing can be hard and leave me bruised, but my Father’s gentle hand is always there to pick me up, dust me off, and start the waltz all over again. The more I let Him lead, the better I’m able to follow.
After difficult tension & a resulting broken relationship, my “earthly Daddy” was not at our wedding to dance with me. In my GODLY Father’s love, he gave me peace & blessed me with a wonderful husband who has danced through life with me these last 35 years! GOD has shown us the right moves for the dance of our life–many times when I/we didn’t follow HIS moves HE was always there with & for me, getting us back on the beat of HIS musical tune of life! Oh what joy I’ve found–with messy hair, no makeup, & my sloppy outfit I can still break out a move & rejoice in dancing with & for my GOD, my FATHER, my JESUS….what a wonderful feeling being loved whooly, completely, as I am…..
God is good all the time especially sunrise
sunsets and waterfalls too. 🙂 and a gentle breeze as I go for walks!
That I can rest and find my peace in His sway. I know my “two-step” should be following His lead. When I place my weak feet on His and take off in my own direction, He’s there with open arms and steady steps to lead me back into His dance.
He loves me as I am. He wants me to be my very best, but he loves me just as much when I’m far from my best.
What I love the most about my heavenly Father ? Let me count the ways, and all the days, for writers like you, Alicia, and Kara Tippett, for all the dreams He carries for me, the blood He shed for me, and a promise of a heavenly home with all my loved ones across the sea<God Bless and Loves all of Thee ! : ) <3
Sometimes it’s a slow dance like a waltz & other times it’s a happy dance like a disco. I’m so thankful that My Heavenly Father is patient with me!
Our dance is a mixture….lots of days it’s a rocking sort of thing because I’m balled up in a heap of mess, but some days….glorious days…its a jump up and down with hysteria for joy and happiness! I’m so glad He loves me no matter what!
I love God because he has made me a new person, better than before! And daily he showers me with his grace.
I am grateful for how our Heavenly Father is always there. I will never forget one night when my husband was deployed and I was having a really difficult time and could not stop crying. I prayed for his help and after a few more minutes of crying and praying a sense of peace just came over me. I do not even know how to explain it, but it was the most amazing sense of his presence I have ever felt.
It’s more like multiple dances! Slow and steady ones as well as twirling blitzing ones!
He loves me just as I am. He doesn’t love me more on my good days or less on my bad days. His love for me is based on who He is; not what I do. That’s an amazing love!
I love that God’s love is never-ending and unfailing. It took me so long to realize that He doesn’t hold grudges and get tired of my repeated asking for forgiveness. It’s pretty much impossible to wrap my head around how true and deep His love is, because we see through our tainted, Earthly lenses.
I can’t dance and I am glad God still loves me!
The way He cares about the little things that bring me joy.
The way He picks me up and carries me when I don’t have the strength to go on … which seems most of the time these days!
what a creative question!! 🙂 the first thouhgt that came to my mind is ….waltzing 🙂 – and probably Viennese waltz most of the time.
Thank you for sharing your insight and experience on what true love really is. It was such a timely and needed reminder for me.
Beautiful! God knows I am a not so great dancer 😉 so he is patient and loving as he leads.
I have always felt awkward to dance in front of others, afraid they would make fun of my inability to dance like them. But I am grateful to know that my Heavenly Father sees past my awkwardness and loves me just the same as one who can really work the dance floor. Just as I see my 5 kids dance moves as perfectly beautiful and unique. Thank you for this reminder that God has a special dance for each moment of our lives.
What I love about Jesus the most is His unfailing love. He is my Best friend. He gets me and I don’t have to explain myself to Him. My messiness doesn’t turn Him away. He just draws me closer to Himself so He can continue to work in my heart and life.
This has been the second most challenging week of my life. God has shown me thru it all that he is right there with me “slow dancing” with me in his arms. Thank you for your encouraging words today!
His strong shoulder!
Resting in His arms.
The Hustle! I say this because I think He has a great sense of humor, and we would end the dance laughing hysterically!
I loved this devotional. I especially liked the way your daughter responded in this situation–a very good reminder for me. What I love most about God is how forgiving He is. No matter how sloppy my moves, He is always there to pick me up. Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love when He sends that little ray of hope when I think I’ve reached the end of my rope!
Thanks for your devotionals. I love reading your stories! Thanks for the chance to enter the drawing. I am no dancer and literally can only “dutch dance” which I guess I do clomp around in life–non gracefully going from one thing to the next to keep my family alfoat. God chooses to bring beauty amidst my clomping.
What I love most about Him is that he keeps on loving me unconditionally, even though My love for Him can be inconsistent and frail by comparison.
I’m enjoying your posts on Proverbs 31 very much. For me I love how I can always feel God’s love and grace exactly when I need it the most. No one knows me better!
Thanks for your beautiful words of encouragement. For me, the multi-colored sunrise, and the beautiful star filled night sky. Both of those stop me in my tracks and and I just stare in awe. So, so beautiful!
I am grateful that He is a lover who loves me even with all my failures! Who picks me up and holds me close!
It’s more like the Cupid Shuffle, just trying to remember the moves but I’m working on getting to the Waltz.
I am so incredibly grateful that he never “throws in the towel,” but stays the course with me. If it weren’t for grace I’d have nothing at all.
Thanks for sharing today. I am so blessed being reminded that God knows what takes my breath away, he knows what makes my heart beat faster…
He knows what will give me satisfaction even when I may not know it.