The Dance Studio

I looked up at the pointe shoe portrait vibrantly enhanced behind a gold frame on the studio wall.

"Mom, I'm going to have a dance studio one day," I said with certainty.

In that moment, I knew that that is exactly what I would do. Then, the difficult years of fighting past insecurities, battling to keep up with my classmates when I was going to fewer classes than they were, and finding my turn-out wasn't as good as it would need to be for me to go professional came into play. And yet, I still loved it. Performing was better than Christmas, and each milestone brought joy beyond words.

Years went by, and my love of dance was only foreshadowed by my love of Jesus. By my teen years, I realized that I would never be satisfied merely to teach dance. I would only be satisfied if I pointed my students specifically to Jesus. Thus, the dream expanded to include discipleship and a deeper purpose.

I had been working for a dance studio for a year, and decided to try a project of my own - a dance worship night that would raise money for an orphanage in the Philippines. Thanks to a few incredible people who had the same vision that I did, and one woman in particular that I can think of whom God really used to give wings to my dream by connecting me with others who were interested in the same idea, I found myself teaching close to thirty students in preparation for this worship event. Funds were raised for the orphanage, and Shekinah Ballet School was born.

I quickly lost students when I went away for college for a semester. Students need consistency, and I wasn't ready to commit.

When I came back, there were maybe six or seven students under my care, and my classes were free.

I prayed two years ago during COVID that God would let the dream die. I was tired of doing so much work for only a few students. Perhaps I should turn my attention elsewhere. I asked God for two specific things as a sign if He wanted me to continue. First, that someone would come alongside me and advertise on my behalf. Second, that I would have at least ten students that year.

Less than two weeks later, I was visiting a new ice cream shop a few doors down from our apartment building. I was telling my husband, Joshua, that the ice cream shop would make an adorable place for a party after one of our ballet shows. The owner overheard the conversation, and came over to talk with me. She had so many ideas for advertising that I could hardly keep up. She just volunteered to take over the whole thing. She not only put out brochures, but also got me in contact with the other businesses in our small town. She talked with me about advertising strategy and introduced me to the business district of our city. As a result, a gymnastics company reached out to me and offered me an empty studio with all the equipment I would need to begin charging lessons.

I was floored. It was clearly an answer to prayer, and I took up the offer and went with it. After all, who knew what God was doing!

As I took a step back and observed our recital that spring, I realized with amazement that I had exactly ten students, the number that I had prayed for. No more. No less. It seemed clear that God wanted me to do it. There was a goal and purpose behind it. It would accomplish some good in someone's life.

Since then, I have questioned my abilities still. I have asked God several times since then if He wants me to continue to pursue this child's dream so deeply a passion of mine.

I don't honestly know how long He will want me to teach such a small number of students. This past performance we had just eight students. And there are so many other studios in our area. The competition is fierce.

Still, He quiets my heart by reminding me that even one student that is saved through Jesus Christ...is worth it. One student that gets to experience unconditional love...is worth it. One little girl who gets to understand her worth...is worth it. One performance in which we lift our eyes and raise our hands to the praise of His glory...is worth it.

And so, I press on; asking that He brings the students that He wants.

We had our third performance at Rainbow Gymnastics this past week, and I wasn't sure how it was going to go at first. But as performance day unfolded, I felt His presence and love poured out on me and each child. He was glorified in the midst of my weaknesses, and we declared the gospel and the glory of His grace through Jesus.

Maybe you can relate. You've seen God work miraculously only to wonder after the fact if the ministry to which you have poured so much time and energy is doing any good. May I remind you that what God asks you to do, whether motherhood, going to a nine-to-five job, cleaning the church, or running a global non-profit; is worth it when one person gets a glimpse of Who God is through you. When one person learns the name of Jesus. When one person confesses the power of Christ to save.

Dear sister in Christ, pray with me for an abundant harvest. Not from our worldly measure of success, but from a Heavenly one.