A Little Dance, A Little Song

One of the best and most fulfilling parts of my life so far has been being an aunt. Don't get me wrong, daughter, sister, wife, friend... they are all important but the aunt role has a special little place in my heart. Maybe it's because I was the youngest in my family, so I never had someone to baby and cuddle... or boss around. :) But I really think it's because we aunts, we have it the best.

An aunt can let nieces and nephews sit on the counter and stir the brownie mix, getting the mixture all over them. With an aunt, extra sprinkles is okay. With an aunt, you can jump on the cushions and play pretend. An aunt gives little drops of advice, that though heard every day, may stand out when it is said from an aunt. An aunt gets to give some of the best gifts because you ask your brother or sister what they REALLY want! An aunt is a friend, mentor and best of all FAMILY for life. I have three nephews and five little nieces. They are all absolutely precious and my heart just melts over them when I get to spend time with them. 

One of my nieces is named Kaitlin, she is absolutely a kick. She loves to sing and dance to her Disney princess songs, or the little church songs they learn at her school. She is only four years old, but she has quite the song list. She keeps her brother Andrew up at night because she won't stop singing. While this is very frustrating for my sister's entire household, I secretly love it! It cracks me up because I was the exact same way. My brothers and sisters would call down the stairs, "Mom, make Brittany be quiet!!"

When Kaitlin and Andrew's Christmas Production came around, we were all excited to go watch them sing on stage. We came with video and cameras, and set up as close to the stage as possible. I have to say, even if you don't know anyone on the stage, watching a hundred 2-5 year old children is hilarious. 

They marched on stage, we spotted them and immediately started waving, taking pictures and then the music came on. Here we go!

Andrew was a typical oldest child, every move to perfection and every word memorized. Kaitlin, the little singer, the dreamer, the dancer: nothing. She was not moving, staring downward with a very concerned look on her face. She remained that way the entire time. All of us were saying "Kaitlin, dance! Sing!" We were rooting for her with all our hearts. Did it matter to us if she was perfect? Did we care if she did all right moves? Would we look down on her for messing up? Of course not! We would have only cared that she had fun and went for it! But in that moment, our little singing, dancing, princess was paralyzed with fear. 

It was then that God showed me part of his heart for us.  If in my heart as an aunt, I took so much joy in watching Kaitlin and Andrew live and have fun, how much more is God's heart for us to live freely, unburdened by fear. I imagine when God sees us in fear, he says "don't worry, don't be afraid, it doesn't have to be perfect! Live for me, speak about me, love other people in my name, give, share, dance! Even if you dance a little, sing a little, I will love it and be proud that you did even that much". He wants so badly for us to enjoy our lives and be free from fear. How many times do we stop the song or dance of our lives because we are afraid? How many times have I shied away from doing the things God has called me to do? That is not God's plan for us who are called to his purposes. He wants us to dance, sing, have fun, laugh, play, and dream.

God's heart is rooting for us. When I saw Kate on stage afraid, I wasn't disappointed in her. I only wanted to encourage her that she can do it. When we hold back or hesitate to what God has for us, I believe God has that same heart, "you can do it, I am here for you, don't give up." I know that if I as an aunt felt that way, how much more does God, our creator, feel that way. He takes joy in us. We are His children. Just as many of you have your own children, remember that we are God's children, and His heart is even more for us than ours is for our own children... or nieces and nephews. :)

He is a good Dad. And His heart is for you.

There is no scripture that I looked for to back this up, although I know I could find some. There is no big concept here to grasp. Just a little moment in the life of a four year old, and an aunt who got a glimpse of God's love for us and wanting us to dance. 

And the next time Kaitlin went on that stage, my heart overflowed as she danced and sang.