I can’t believe it’s already our 15th season of dance for SCCDT! Can you?? For 14 years we’ve been learning more and more about what it means to glorify God through dance.
Today, as I’m sitting in the office, listening to the classes going on this afternoon, I have many thoughts and feelings. First, of all, yes! I am a bit weary. These have been an exhausting 5 months.
But truly, I’m also very THANKFUL. While the dance industry is expected to lose over 35% of its suppliers when this is all over, our staff has joined together to make sure that this is NOT our story and we will continue to be here for the Columbia community.
I’m thankful …
for the parents and families who have given their children the gift of dance lessons,
for Misty Lown and the More than Just Great Dancing community who have helped with encouragement and creativity,
for William Crew and Xtreme Solutions who gave a video experience to our dance community which we can all treasure for years to come (I can’t wait to share this with you), and for my family and the faculty of SCCDT who have given so much and dug in deep with love and support.
I’m DETERMINED…
to continue to be accountable and consistent in pointing others to the creator of dance and not just dancing,
to continue to provide excellent, encouraging, and safe dance education for children and their families.
And, as I go over the long check list of safety procedures we have in place, I am reminded that the well-being of dancers and their safety is not a new procedure for us. What we are doing today is what we have always done for our dance community. Once only done with healthy guidelines for young bodies, careful music choices, more modest costuming, and a Christian atmosphere has now extended to choreographed classroom shuffles and hand sanitizer. We work to keep kids happy, healthy and safe in dance.
I have HOPE, because even though things around us are broken and we are not in peaceful times, the hope I have is in the God we serve. When I remember who He is, what He thinks of us, and what He has done for us, it helps me to pick my eyes up. To go above the clouds of worry, chaos and unrest, and see the hope and future promised to us from our heavenly Father.
So, for 2020-2021 will you join me in focusing on the ENDURANCE described in Romans?
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5 NLT
No one wants hardship or adversity. This is hard stuff to face. Just consider the definition of Endurance: the ability to withstand hardship or adversity
Whew. Yes, hard stuff.
We aren’t promised a life full of sparkles and unicorns.
But the last part of the verse reminds us of God’s love for us, and the reminder that the Holy Spirit is actually what fills us with His love to endure what He has asked us to endure.
A Holy Spirit inspired, hope filled endurance that is based on the assurance and knowledge of God and His Word, vs. brute strength of will and grit is what I’m hoping for. Yes, I need grit. We need grit. And we need courage and strength to stand as well. However, as believers we are called to love, serve and honor others, and we need the Holy Spirit to enable us.
So, join me and the entire SCCDT family as we remember the hope of our salvation together. With the Lord’s help, guidance and strength, and His ENDURANCE, we can love with an enduring love.
Ms Cynthia