Make Me Smile Monday

I love to dance - at home that is! I love to dance around home when no ones watching. When I was younger I took jazz lessons for a few years and was on multiple dance teams as a part of my youth group. The thought of dancing at a wedding reception or Jack and Jill always sounds like so much fun, and at any given time I could imagine myself letting loose and getting out on the dance floor without a care in the world - but - I can never seem to muster up the courage to actually do it. Plenty of people simply have a drink to remedy this problem, but since I don't drink and don't think this would be a good reason to start this is obviously not the solution for me. ;)

When Jason's sister (who happens to be one of my dearest friends) got married they had the best dance reception ever! It began with the bride and groom followed by the father/daughter and mother/son dances. Then the bridal party joined the bride and groom for another dance. After this the guests were invited to join in on the celebration - and join in they did!

The thing you have to know about Jason's sister is that not only does she love to dance but she is someone who know's how to get out there and just have fun. This is something I really admire about her. What made it even better, was when the Jason's entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins - everyone - without the help of any liquid courage) made their way out onto the dance floor and all did the same! It was enough to even get ME out on the dance floor. It was so much fun seeing four generations out there letting loose, having so much fun!   

To me it comes back to this idea of confidence, which I've come to the conclusion is a bit of a practiced art. I've talked to a lot of people who I consider to be very confident, people who know how to get out there and do the things they want to do. What always amazes me is that it doesn't mean they're never afraid, or that they don't ever get nervous it's just that they decide to do it anyways and give it all they've got. And the result (from everything I've gathered) is that they simply have fun and are glad they did. As someone who hasn't made this a habit, I find it very encouraging, the thought that if I keep pushing myself over time it will get easier to do and the rewards will only get better with time!

Make Me Smile Monday

Our little man J has recently discovered clip-on ties. He has a buddy at church who's the same age as him who wears them and because of that he decided he wanted one, too. So a couple weeks ago he was given a few ties. One from Nana and Poppa and two from his aunt. This Sunday at church he proudly wore one of his new ties (for the second week in a row). He sat with us before the service enthusiastically pointing out to Jason one of the men from church who was also wearing a tie.

What makes it extra special is where his "new" ties came from. The one that was passed on from Nana used to be worn by two of his uncles, and the other two Jason wore when he was a little boy as well as J's cousin R who's 6 (and one of J's heroes). I love the significance of items like this that have been passed down from generation to generation. J likes to stretch up his arm as far as it can reach and tell us that one day he will be be a big man like daddy. The other day he even told Jason that one day he, his daddy and his poppa would all be men at the same time. I think he sees this as a way for him to connect with being a man in his own way now.    

In a world where masculinity can sometimes be equated with negative things, I love seeing my little guy find healthy ways to make the connection. I'm so incredibly grateful that J has so many great role models in his life! You know who you are and I just want to thank you for it!   

Isaiah 58: 9-12

I'm loving this promise God made in the book of Isaiah. I've been contemplating exactly what this means in my life, what exactly it should look like...

IF YOU DO AWAY WITH: 
-the yoke of oppression
-the pointing finger
-malicious talk

AND INSTEAD YOU:
-spend yourself in behalf of the hungry
-satisfy the needs of the oppressed

THEN:
-your light will rise in the darkness 
-your night will become like the noonday
-the Lord will guide you always, satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame
-you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail
-your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations
-you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings