grace

Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers may collectively be the greatest dance couple to have ever hit the big screen. Though either could hold their own apart from one another, they just don't seem quite as engaging as when they dance as a pair. I know that their dances were meticulously choreographed, yet there is still an air of improvisation to their dances that hint at the fact that this couple knew how to work together. Fred and Ginger (as I like to call them) exuded so much grace as they glided about through their dance numbers. There was just enough give and take... ebb and flow... so that no individual became the centerpiece for this duet. As I think on this topic, there really isn't anyone today that holds a candle to the unity on the dance floor those two had. (On the record, nobody "Dancing with the Stars" will ever come close.)

I know, you're thinking that I've really fallen off my rocker, but somehow this recently reminded me of my relationship with God. Life seems so much like a dance that flirts with the varieties of pace, style, flourish, and bravado. I mean, it's more than possible that as I learn the steps to this dance that God knows I will stumble and that I may even fall. It's no surprise to Him that I step on His feet and, more often than not, attempt to steal the lead in our dance. God knows how this dance is going to go... and in His graceful style He covers my mistakes and brings me back into step. It is the nature of His grace to permit me to make mistakes despite His pre-knowledge of them and ability to prevent them. Why? So that I might learn, might grow, and might develop into what He desires in a partner. God's grace is more than His willingness to extend forgiveness to me when I seek it. His grace allows me to fall and get back up. That's what I think an amazing grace really is. There will come a day when I will move in time with the divine dance, but until then I will certainly continue to misstep. The great thing is that... all the while trip over my two left feet I will remain in God's grace. I am practicing (in training, if you will) to move in unison with my instructor. It will take time for me to learn the steps, but I think that's how a klutz truly can become graceful.