With wings like eagles

I recently referenced Isaiah 40 in a lesson and received a great note in response. The note contained a link to Karen Ehrman’s blog post from May 15, 2014. I was so blessed by the story that I want to share it with you.

Karen Ehrman

“What Candace Cameron Bure’s Waltz Teaches Us About God”

This season on Dancing With The Stars, former Full House child star Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner) is a participant. Since she and I have become friends in the past few years by speaking at conferences and doing online ministry together, I have followed the show this season. Ok. More than followed. I’ve become a totally obsessed fan. Haven’t missed an episode.

I get updates from Candace about how rehearsal is going. This past week I knew she was dancing a Viennese waltz and then a jazz number. When she and partner Mark Ballas took the floor to perform their waltz, I put down my pita chips and hummus and riveted my eyes to the screen.

She looked gorgeous. And elegant. The dance started out well. But then a slight misstep caused her to momentarily lose her place.

She continued on. It became evident that Mark was speaking to her as they whirled and twirled around the dance floor in sync, attempting to complete the number. When the song ended and they made their way over to chat with the show’s host Tom Bergeron, Candace was visibly upset with herself. The judges pointed out that she indeed had momentarily lost her place but that they were proud of the fact that she kept on dancing.

After the judges’ comments on the number and before they revealed their scores, Tom asked Mark a question. He wanted to know just what he was saying to Candace as they were waltzing their way to the end of the routine.

Mark replied, “I’ve got you. It’s okay. Right leg. Left leg. Stretch. Turn around. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s okay. Love you. Love you. Love you. We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna make it.”

I know his chant of encouragement was for Candace during the dance, but later that evening, I couldn’t get Mark’s words off of my mind.

When immersed in the great dance of life, sometimes I forget my place. My feet get tangled. My mind goes blank. Bewildered, I continue on, although I’m totally uncertain just what to do next.

While I rehearse life’s scenarios over and over again, surmising just how they will turn out once the music starts, sometimes life’s dance doesn’t always go just as planned. I’m guessing it is the same with you at times. Maybe?

We vow to have a loving and loyal marriage, but then domestic disputes happen. We say and do things that we had not intended. Our marriage drifts off course and we aren’t sure what to do to get back in step with our spouse.

We purpose to be an intentional parent. To raise our children to be loving and respectful. Children that would make any parent proud. But then one of them makes a bad choice. A really bad choice. So we beat ourselves up emotionally over and over again, wrongly surmising that we are our child’s choices. Though the music keeps blaring, we can’t seem to put one foot in front of the other. We are just too discouraged with our poor parenting skills.

Or maybe we ourselves choose poorly. Irrationally. Even immorally. We want to stop the conductor and abandon the dance. We’ve messed up far too much to go on.

It is then that the Lord gently takes our hand, pulls us in close, and with loving reassurance whispers sweetly to our soul…“I’ve got you. It’s okay.”

But Lord. I just can’t…

“Yes you can. Follow Me now. Right leg. Left leg.”

But I’ve messed up big time…

“Stretch.”

Lord, that stretch hurt…..

“Yes it did. Now turn around.”

You mean repent?

“Yes. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s okay. I love you. Just keep your eyes on me. Listen only to My voice. Follow me.”

When it came time for Mark and Candace’s second dance, she danced with a confidence that earned her and Mark their best scores of the season including two perfect 10s. All because she forgot her past, changed her ways and allowed her teacher to get her back on course.

As we waltz through life and something happens to cause us to stumble, it is never too late to listen to the Master’s loving words to us as he gently and graciously consoles, corrects and restores. Can you hear Him now? He is gently whispering to you….

“We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna make it. Just keep listening to Me my love. And dance on.”