grace.

oh my sweet dancer.  this year will be her fourth year dancing.  with different size legs and her low muscle tone i used to worry that dance would be limited or hard for her.. that the little ballerina might not be able to get up on both toes.  but as time has gone on it's not so much the physical but that willa has major focus and attention issues.  she has a hard time staying on task.. a hard time keeping focus on anything for any period of time.  dance is difficult for her... some part physically yes~ but mostly her being able to focus on the routines, not get distracted and to remember the choreography.  all year it is a challenge.. re-diriecting her, reminding her to pay attention... to follow her teacher, to practice.  some days she is so distracted she hardly dances the whole class.  it's so hard and upsetting sometimes.. because she loves dance...absolutely loves it... but she falls behind because of her issues. through out the year she would do parts of the dance... never all together~ she knew the dance... but just couldn't focus to do the whole thing together.  the recital, i knew would be a toss up... not sure what parts she would perform (if any)  oh the mama bear in me wants to protect her.  to hide her from any future heart breaks or humility she might face.  it breaks my heart.  

so the recital rolls around.  dress rehearsal was the same story.   she pretty much stood and stared on the stage.  oh gosh as a mama i wanted to stand up in that auditorium and explain to everyone watching.  why?  i don't know...just to protect her.  don't worry.. i didn't stand up.  i turned to prayer with my worries and concerns.. oh Lord, i cried out~ please help my sweet girl to keep her focus and attention.  to show this audience what she can do.  be with her Lord comfort her, protect her.  be with her.

can i just tell you that something happened the night of the recital.  beyond a dance or a recital.  beyond performing.  Jesus showed me His love and His grace.  it was like he picked her up right before my (our) eyes and said I've got her.  I am protecting her.  I am here.  with her.  she did something incredible.  she performed her little heart out...and even added her own flair!  she did all the moves~ in both dances (tap and ballet) didn't get distracted once.  she was amazing.  beyond amazing.  i hadn't seen her ever do this.  it honestly was a moment i will never ever forget.  my heart was bursting with joy.  

you see...this isn't about dance.  it's about her life.  it's about the struggles and challenges she faces and will continue to face.  but HE is with her.  He will protect her.  He will give her GRACE.

here is the video from her tap routine.  she is the one all the way to the left.  listen to me in the background.  it explains it all...  

thanks to willa's sweet friends, maddi & joesey for joining us in our field dance last night.