As a girl, I wanted to be a dancer. I looked longingly through the glass windows of the dance studio next to the grocery store I went to with my mother. I would skip, jump, and pretend that I was wearing the same black leotard and pink shoes as the girls inside. Unfortunately, the closest I’ve been to being any sort of dancer was during musical and cheerleading.
Even though the success of the number is dependent on the team, most of the dance is independent. I would memorize the steps on my own. I would practice the choreography on my own. I never had to really worry about a partner. I didn’t have to feel the music because someone already did that for me when they created the choreography.
Needless to say, I’m not a very good dancer. Don’t worry, I’m not heartbroken because I still have the confidence to bob my head and move my shoulders even if it looks awkward.
So it was much to my surprise when I got off my stool to accept the invitation to learn how to salsa from the manger, Daniel, of the hostel my team was staying at for our adventure day. I warned him that I would definitely step on his toes and most likely mess up more than once. Daniel was kind to assure me that it would be alright even if I broke his toe.
Kenadi, Destiny, and I followed him and another of the night staff out onto the balcony. The guys chose a song and Daniel offered me his hand. We started off learning to Merengue since it’s a simpler dance. And yeah, it was as bad as I thought it would be. Apparently, it’s all in the hips and I do not know how to work mine.
I hopped from foot to foot as he led me around the room. More than once I stepped on his feet. Hard. Yet, he never complained. I was amazed by his grace. He didn’t even wince after the 2,000th time.
In that moment, I was reminded of the Father. How many times has He called us into something we have no confidence in? For me, it’s something new every day. Yet, it’s not like He leaves us waiting alone in the dust. He literally tells us that He will lead us and show us the way. We just have to trust Him.
If I’m being honest, like, really honest, that’s probably the biggest thing I have struggled with on the Race. I really like being in control and letting go is really hard. I mean, it’s pretty evident by my poor dancing skills that my control issues manifest everywhere in my life. I stepped so many times on Daniel’s feet because I didn’t let him lead me. I tried to go my own way or predict his next move. I couldn’t trust that he was going to lead me through the steps he’s known for a long time.
God has the steps of my life planned out. How crazy is that? No matter how many times I step on God’s toes, He continues to guide me through the dance that is His will.
It has taken time, as in I am still working on this, and letting go of something He asks of me one at a time. Have I perfected my Salsa with the Lord? No. But I am getting pretty good at letting Him lead me through the Merengue.
