Dancing in freedom

Our last dancing experience was quite interesting for me. I experienced a total brain blank out. Have you ever had a brain blank out where you just can't remember what you've learned? Trying hard to remember the steps we learned in Western Swing, I just went blank. Ugh! Frustrating! 

Fortunately for me, the gracious dance teacher and my patient wife, guided me back into the "swing" of things. Through this whole 

whole experience this truth that St. Ignacius shared hundreds of years ago came into my reality. "In these days, God taught me as a school teacher teaches a pupil." I was reminded that there are things God has to teach me yet and ask for the grace to hear them and let them change me. In my blank out and in the challenge to remember the steps, I found myself looking around to see if people were watching me. I found myself embarassed and feeling stupid. I wanted to go into another room to practice where no one could see me (us). I think that is called "hiding". 

I was reduced to some "child-like" responses and yet this is exactly what Jesus desires for me, to come to Him as a child. Hmmm? In Mark 10:13-16 we read: People were bringing little children to Jesus in order that he might touch them and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it" And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. Wow!

So...when I'm feeling like a little child, I can turn to Jesus and he offers me what is true about me...I have been set free from my shame, the looking over my shoulder to see who is watching and into freedom where I have a new identity in Him. I can put a smile on my face and enjoy the dance. 

In this case, Monique encouraged me to put a smile on my face and as I did I relaxed, experienced freedom and had fun dancing. Hmmm....more beautiful lessons from the dance floor with Jesus.

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