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God is Faithful... Part 1

 As a little girl, I would watch in awe as the "big girls" danced en pointe, with grace and skill, and longed to be one of them.

I've danced at my studio for eight and a half years. Although I've been promoted to the next level almost every fall, there's been two times when I've been held back for a year. There's also been times when I've been moved up mid-year. 

The last three levels at my studio are called Echappe, Apprentice, and Company. Apprentice is pretty much considered a part of the Company. They take classes together and perform together. The only difference is that the Company members perform solos, while students in Apprentice are mostly understudies for the Company. Echappe is the last level before this, and for that reason, it's a big deal to get moved up to Apprentice. Once you're in Apprentice, it's just a matter of developing your skills enough to become an official Company member. But like I said, Apprentices still get to take classes and perform with the Company, take annual pictures with them, and attend Company parties and events.

This past spring marked my second year in Echappe. I had been anxious this past May and June about getting moved up for the fall. I was also worried about not getting to teach anymore, since the teaching position I had for the workshop had only been temporary. Finally, one day in June, I turned it all over to God. (1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.) I prayed that whatever God's plan for me was, He would make it very clear to me, knowing my own desires for my life would blind my eyes to His will. I asked that if I was supposed to stay at my studio, that I would get moved up and become a teacher permanently. And if God's will was for me to leave my studio, that I would get neither privilege. 

. . .

I was at home reading on July 1st in the early afternoon when my mom called my name. I walked into the dining room where she was sitting, without a clue of what she wanted. After a moment of keeping me in suspense, she said, "I have some news you might want to see," casually, but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed her voice. She held out her phone with a grin, and immediately I knew what it was- the fall semester information. Excitedly, I gave her a quick hug and sat down to read it. I tried to focus on the actual email, but my eyes kept drifting down to the attachment that said "Fall Roster 2021." Finally I gave in and looked at the roster, my heart pounding. My name was under the title Apprentice! I squealed... surely I'd read it wrong. But when I looked again, my name was still there. I told my mom in an excited, high-pitched voice that I had been moved up. For the rest of the day, that's all I talked about. Apprentice! I couldn't believe it, and kept checking the email to see if it was real. 

. . .

After a few days, though, reality started to set back in, and I remembered my prayer, asking that God would make my path clear. What was I supposed to do if I couldn't teach anymore? I had asked God that if I was supposed to stay at my studio, I would be moved up and get to teach. I didn't hear anything about teaching for six days. Then, on July 7th, 2021, God surprised me... 

...read part 2 to see what happens!



Dancing4Jesus

Psalm 149:3~ Let them praise his name with dancing. (NIV)


Contact me here: dancing4jesus20@gmail.com




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