What Candace Cameron Bure’s Waltz Teaches Us About God
This season on Dancing With The Stars, former Full House child star Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner) is a participant. Since she and I have become friends in the past few years by speaking at conferences and doing online ministry together, I have followed the show this season. Ok. More than followed. I’ve become a totally obsessed fan. Haven’t missed an episode.
I get updates from Candace about how rehearsal is going. This past week I knew she was dancing a Viennese waltz and then a jazz number. When she and partner Mark Ballas took the floor to perform their waltz, I put down my pita chips and hummus and riveted my eyes to the screen.
She looked gorgeous. And elegant. The dance started out well. But then a slight misstep caused her to momentarily lose her place.
She continued on. It became evident that Mark was speaking to her as they whirled and twirled around the dance floor in sync, attempting to complete the number.
When the song ended and they made their way over to chat with the show’s host Tom Bergeron, Candace was visibly upset with herself. The judges pointed out that she indeed had momentarily lost her place but that they were proud of the fact that she kept on dancing.
After the judges’ comments on the number and before they revealed their scores, Tom asked Mark a question. He wanted to know just what he was saying to Candace as they were waltzing their way to the end of the routine. Mark replied,
“I’ve got you. It’s okay. Right leg. Left leg. Stretch. Turn around. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s okay. Love you. Love you. Love you. We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna make it.”
Tweet ThisI know his chant of encouragement was for Candace during the dance, but later that evening, I couldn’t get Mark’s words off of my mind.
When immersed in the great dance of life, sometimes I forget my place. My feet get tangled. My mind goes blank. Bewildered, I continue on, although I’m totally uncertain just what to do next.
While I rehearse life’s scenarios over and over again, surmising just how they will turn out once the music starts, sometimes life’s dance doesn’t always go just as planned. I’m guessing it is the same with you at times. Maybe?
We vow to have a loving and loyal marriage, but then domestic disputes happen. We say and do things that we had not intended. Our marriage drifts off course and we aren’t sure what to do to get back in step with our spouse.
We purpose to be an intentional parent. To raise our children to be loving and respectful. Children that would make any parent proud. But then one of them makes a bad choice. A really bad choice. So we beat ourselves up emotionally over and over again, wrongly surmising that we are our child’s choices. Though the music keeps blaring, we can’t seem to put one foot in front of the other. We are just too discouraged with our poor parenting skills.
Or maybe we ourselves choose poorly. Irrationally. Even immorally. We want to stop the conductor and abandon the dance. We’ve messed up far too much to go on.
It is then that the Lord gently takes our hand, pulls us in close, and with loving reassurance whispers sweetly to our soul…..
“I’ve got you. It’s okay.”
But Lord. I just can’t…
“Yes you can. Follow Me now. Right leg. Left leg.”
But I’ve messed up big time…
“Stretch.”
Lord, that stretch hurt…..
“Yes it did. Now turn around.”
You mean repent?
“Yes. I’ve got you. I’ve got you. It’s okay. I love you. Just keep your eyes on me. Listen only to My voice. Follow me.”
I. Love. You.
When it came time for Mark and Candace’s second dance, she danced with a confidence that earned her and Mark their best scores of the season including two perfect 10’s. All because she forgot her past, changed her ways and allowed her teacher to get her back on course.
As we waltz through life and something happens to cause us to stumble, it is never too late to listen to the Master’s loving words to us as he gently and graciously consoles, corrects and restores.
Can you hear Him now? He is gently whispering to you….
“We’re gonna make it. We’re gonna make it. Just keep listening to Me my love and……
Dance on.
“….and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life” Deuteronomy 30:20
UPDATE:
Candace just released her latest book, Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction.
It is full of advice on how to practically live out your faith, even in the midst of adversity.
{And it may or may not include this blog post as part of the book. Ahem…on page 151….second paragraph down….maybe?} Pick up a copy today!
Thank you for these words. I loved it Monday night when that happened, how his words encouraged her. But the spin you just put on them was just what I needed today. Having had both of my children who were raised in church and thinking my husband and I were raising them right with God, when they became adults made their own choices and most were bad. I have second guessed everything we did as Christian parents. These words this morning put me back on the right track. Thanks again and God bless you!
You know how people always say that things will happen or come to you as you need them? Well, your article came to me this morning…. I admit that I am not a ‘gotta go to church on Sunday’ type of person, but I do think about God – sometimes a lot. But not always in a positive way. A lot of times, I ask Why? Why do you let these horrible things happen in the world? Why am I here? Why can I not do anything right? Why are you punishing us? I guess you could say I have a trust issue maybe. Then I read your analysis of a TV show and think to myself, why can’t I just believe in and trust Him the way so many others do? I am flailing and have been for a while…. I so want to hear those words but they aren’t there…. maybe if I try a little harder…. Thank you for sharing your heart
Thank you so much for your thoughts. I had the same thoughts when I watched her waltz and what happened after the dance. What a picture of God.
Such a lovely analogy. “Hold on. I love you. Follow Me.”
Sooooooo good. And so grateful for a God who is in control and loves me more than I deserve. I needed to read this today. Thank you!
So beautifully said. I have so appreciated Candace’s vulnerability as she has shared her struggles with perfectionism, fear of letting others down, and its affect on her life. I appreciate her desire to be apart of the World while shining God’s glory. And I love these thoughts on how God can use anything and everything in our lives and teach us about Him. Thank you.
If only this was really true. It would be wonderful.
It is true. God’s favorite Name is Abba–“Daddy” in Hebrew. He is calling to you–not to reprimand but to comfort…forgive…encourage. Don’t be afraid. Bring your doubts to Him. He will listen and He will guide you. He is not offended that we question Him, I promise. (((Hugs)))
(Tears) TY . . .
I was at a retreat at America’ Keswick, in NJ. At one point the speaker had us all close our eyes, draw an imaginary circle around ourselves and imagine slow dancing with God. It was one of the most peaceful times and I felt so loves by God. This I will never forget. Thank you for your post. I have been rooting for Candace. She is a wonderful ambassador for The Lord.
All I can say Karen is WOW! ! Thank you for this…so timely for me at such a time as this..Giving my all to really trust in His plan for my life right now…shaky at times…but then He places people like you in my path to show me how Faithful He is!
Well said, love the analogy…reminds me of a book by Ken Gire called Divine Embrace, in the book it talks about the dance & how we need to let God lead us…
wow! this post reasonates with me…many years ago when dancing with the stars first began I heard my Savior say, “just keep your eyes on Me, I will teach you Face-to-face”…expressed so well in your post today, thank you <3
Thank you so much for sharing this. I’ve been watching DWTS this season as well. I’ve been completely wrapped up in Candace’s story and progress, I’m cheering her on loudly every night. Thank you for sharing this truth, because thats exactly what it is. And I hope Candace is hearing the same truth!!
This was and is a now word for me. What a great encouragement word. Love this and Candice we watch the show very week. My daughter has watched ever episode of the Full House and we love it. She know all of them. Love It God Bless you
This is really cool! I dont watch this show but I do like this post a lot, and the words he said to her were so encouraging! she is so elegant and beautiful :)
I loved hearing Tom’s question & Marks response that night. It was such a credit to him to help Candace maintain focus. And it spoke volumes as to the power of how our words can encourage. There are so many lessons to be learned from this dance :) Blessings!
loved this post and I shared it on my entertainment blog fan page such a great message
i am thankful your analogy has touched others as they are reminded of their saviors love for them.
i am not a “hater” as others may call me when i bring this up. but what can you teach others about her jazz routine? when her sweet dance partner caressed her body, even though it was “artfully done in the name of dance”. or when she sat on a chair and spread her legs-although quickly-like so many other dancers have done before?
there is no doubt that candace has been a voice in the darkness. my prayer for those who have been watching her will not stay confused too long after watching that dance. God is sovereign and will open eyes and hearts no matter what. but when a dear sister in Christ publicly proclaims what He has done in her life and then in one 3 minute dance blends in with the rest, it can be confusing to the masses. whats ok and what isn’t? what would you teach your kids about what they watched that night?
again, this is loving concern from the heart of another sister. nothing more.
Remembering that God is truly holding us, dancing through life with us is such an important image for us all to keep in mind. I just wrote about the fact that God is always with us, in fact is in the future before we get there, and we have to keep walking trusting Him for the big picture. http://heavennotharvard.com/2014/05/15/master-weaver/
Reading this gave me chills. Just as beautiful as the dance.
Beautifully written, and I loved how you made the point. :) Stellar. It IS a dance. And He is so good, all the time, we just have to yield and follow. :)
Lovely!
Will check out more of your blog.
Love to you,
Nina
oops…sorry for typo
G-God
U and I
Dance
this reminds me of what the word “guidance” stands for, as explained to me by a friend.
G-Gog
U and I
Dance G-U-I-Dance
Just beautiful. At times, , He encourages us through others. Thank you ALL..
Thank you. This spoke to me this morning. I read it at work and still I feel the presence of God so strongly. I just want to worship him and praise him. Enjoying feeling his loving embrace around me and his words strengthening me.