The Great dance
I once received an invitation to a grand dance. It was an invitation to participate in a dance of life that would set me on a journey to discover more of my purpose and hidden dreams. Though this incident began in sorrow, it ended in profound joy and triumph.
I remember the incident as if it happened just yesterday. There I was, adorned in a beautiful white gown that Mom had sewn for my Senior Prom. Like any typical teenage girl thrilled to be all dressed up and made up for such a special occasion, I stood there feeling so pretty.
Yet an angry stare with critical words suddenly came at me, “You look so funny!” This abrupt response hit me, as my eyes welled up with tears.
The harsh response only reinforced the message I had believed for years that I was not valued. I found a private corner in my home and quietly sobbed for a few minutes. What was I to do? My date was coming to pick me up for dinner at any moment!
I decided to go to the prom anyway. I forced myself to stop crying, quickly pulled myself together, and prepared to leave. My date came to the door,and we left for the prom. I didn’t realize then that choosing to go to the prom was a victory for me of sorts. I was not defeated. I could have retreated and canceled the night. But instead of letting that moment paralyze me, I chose to move forward. And… I had a fun time!
Several years later, I had a healing moment. I didn’t realize that the pain of my prom night still lay dormant within my heart. Though I had worked through forgiveness for what had happened, the tragic scene of that interaction on prom night came back to mind and caught me by surprise. The memory triggered my deep feelings of rejection that had been long buried.
Just a few hours after this memory came to mind, I found myself with a small group of new friends. We didn’t know each other well, but it was a safe place full of love and acceptance. These women shared a vision of ‘Father God’ inviting me to dance with Him in the dance of life. I wept as I heard their healing words and prayers. This became a new, defining moment for me. Instead of rejection, I was a ‘Chosen One.’ The damaging words that I had held onto for years felt like they were being washed away in love and affirmation.
Shortly after this transformative moment, I was inspired to write the poem “Dancing with Father,” which describes a wonder-filled journey of the freedom and newfound purpose that God’s healing brings. This poem was later published in a short book that has healed many women worldwide.
Who would have known that one day I would be approached by a complete stranger who told me that at a pivotal moment when she was about to commit suicide, my book, given to her by a friend, caught her eye. She immediately read it and then chose life instead of death. Through tears, she kept repeating to me, “Your book saved my life!”
Who would have known my book would end up in the hands of people in different nations, from Norway to Japan? I was so touched to receive an email message from a young woman in the Philippines who shared how my book changed her life and healed her broken heart.
Who would have known that 45 years later, I would meet a gentleman who puts on annual father-daughter proms so that daughters can know their worth – and that he would want me to participate in his vision? That’s what you call a full circle moment.
Who would have known that God could turn a painful, shame-filled event into something beautiful that could heal and restore others? As I reflect, I stand in awe of the goodness and gold that can come from pursuing hope and healing.
I invite you to consider seeing your life as a dance with Father God, who can restore what was lost, make whole what was shattered, and bring a profound freedom to dream big, hope-filled dreams for your life in unexpected and miraculous ways.
May you be filled with joy, encouragement, and strength for the journey.
*Dancing with Father is found on the BOOK COLLECTION page.
