Do-Si-Don'tLetMeLead
I’m learning a new dance. It’s a tricky one.
Gone are the days of the easy rhythms, the smooth waltzes and the sway of the normal and familiar movements. Now I’m faced with the jig mixed with the two-step and some new fan-dangled shimmy.
It’s tough to learn this new dance; I have to practice every day. Stepping on toes, falling, going backward; it’s dizzying and tiring. But there’s no stopping. I cannot give up, I have to keep working at it.
Today I’m determined to work this new dance to my advantage. Starting off, I’m going to get focused on the dance floor. My plan is to throw caution to the wind, and allow myself to feel the beat. I want to allow the song to play out and make sure each step is firmly placed. Interruptions shall be welcome opportunities for sharing and learning, of which I’m determined to take on with a smile and a happy heart.
I’m rested and ready for this day of dancing and I’m looking forward to the dips and lifts. Ready for the fast paced part, the slow segments and the jittery ones too. I’ll take on the crowded floor just as well as the times I’ll dance alone.
I’m looking at things with a new perspective.
Why?
Because I wanna be healthy.
I want to be healthy in life, all the way around: physically, mentally, relationally, spiritually.
A healthy life is full of challenges and change.
Being stuck in the same routine, the same dance, keeps us from stretching all the parts of us. Using the same muscles all the time make others weak. Only using part of our brains wastes the unused parts. Keeping up with the same family and friends cause us to miss out on the fullness of love and fellowship; and walking the same spiritual path keeps us from seeing the whole picture and learning more about His love for us and how to share it.
When we take the back roads to a destination we see a different set of miles, different scenery. If we stay in the same routine day after day, we skip over important changes around us as we get set on the process rather than the procedure.
If we dance the same dance all the time, we miss out on the fun of learning a new step. And if we keep staring at our feet, we miss the fun all around us!
I am so guilty of wanting things to be predictable. All the animals healthy, no hic-ups, no rocking of the boat, no interruptions to the plan, but I get so caught up in the process of things, the mundane-ness of the “to-do’s”, the schedule, that I miss the celebration. I miss the “new” thing, the fresh- the lesson. Those lessons about myself that I need so badly.
It’s time to SHAKE THINGS UP! (Just a little...I’m not sure I can handle too much.)
My prayer is that I will take on this new dance with the attitude that change in my rhythm is better for me. Better for every part of my life. I want to see the parts I would miss if I kept walking the same beaten path...in the same shoes...I want to see the change in my world and how I exude those changes.
Yes, I want to take on challenges in a new way, a positive way instead of a daunting way. I want to appreciate family and friends in a better and more evident way. I want to understand things more clearly and accept them more fully and I want to inhale my freedom and faith more fully.
I won’t stop dancing my favorite dance, I just want to mix up the steps a little. Up the tempo and enjoy something new a little more. Feel the energy and the beat of my heart. Fully learn the new dance so I can teach it to others and let them join in because they’re excited to learn too.
There will be times I will only want to sit in, and times I’ll welcome an interruption to the dance I’m performing. And I’ll not wave off a tap on the shoulder, instead, I will turn to it with open arms because I’m confident that I will follow instead of lead; and that I will not step on His toes.
Heavenly Father, I’m anxious and excited to see what music you’ll play for me today. Pull me out onto that dance floor and lead me to the steps that YOU want me to take. Don’t let me lead, don’t let me step on your toes. Pick me up when I get to squirrly and carry me when I get off track or too tired. God I want to learn new things from you. Keep me focused on you and not what’s around me. Keep my mind on YOUR song, not the last one or even the next one. Let me feel YOUR heartbeat and keep rhythm with YOU only.
Thank you for making time to teach me, being patient with my stubbornness and for loving me enough to keep trying to show me the steps you want me to learn.
