Dance with Cinderella

My oldest daughter is now married; I’ve turned another chapter in my life. I am now a member of an elite group of men who have walked their daughters down the aisle as a dad at their wedding (and then extra special when I officiated as a minister).

It is a group into which entrance is gained by process that takes place when we don’t expect it to. I should say upfront that I take a risk when I write about one of my daughters. I have four and I love each of them (and my 2 sons and children-in-laws) so very much and don't want to risk misunderstanding by the others as I single one of them out in this story. And yet, it is right that we celebrate joyous occasions and events in individual lives. And so I continue with my story...

It started when my daughter and I looked into each other’s eyes just before we walked down the aisle. It continued as I fought back tears as I led the happy couple in their commitments to each other. But the entrance into this elite group (which came later) caught me by surprise. It came when I danced with my daughter in the “Father-Daughter Dance”; I wasn’t prepared for that at all! My daughter had asked me 6-8months before if we could have a dance together, and I had said, “Yes”. But then I forgot about it.

My goal was to do whatever they needed to help them to get married without crying like a “baby” in the process. In the middle of a conversation with one of the guests at the wedding reception, someone came and told me that it was time for the “Father-Daughter Dance”; I was being called to come dance.

My daughter had picked out the song “Cinderella" by Steven Curtis Chapman. I really wasn’t prepared for that at all! When we danced to the song, my daughter held me tightly and cried; and then it hit me; deeply. I was now a member of a very elite group. And I was so very grateful.

As I danced with her, I realized that my daughter chose me; I wasn’t there because I forced my way in. She chose me to walk her down the aisle, and chose me to officiate, and she chose to invite me to be a dad at her wedding, and she chose me to dance with her and to share this joyous day with her. I realized this wasn’t anything that I had “earned” this by being a "perfect dad" nor was I “owed” this opportunity; this was a free gift of love! And I was deeply moved.

I had experienced UNCONDITIONAL LOVE; God kind of love. In John 15:16 Jesus said to His disciples; “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”

I like that Jesus is setting the record straight; “I CHOSE YOU”. They weren’t left-overs; He CHOSE them! Hand picked them! LOVED them! He was telling them so that when they blew it, they could remember that Jesus was the initiator of the relationship. In fact the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Rome; “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8). Isn’t that great! While we were sinners; not perfect!

I realized this wasn’t anything that I had “earned” this by being a "perfect" nor was I “owed” this; this was a free gift of love! Jesus died for the broken, wounded, imperfect people of this world because He loved us, He chose us; we weren’t left-overs; He CHOSE us! Hand picked us! LOVED us!

And He chooses to be with us and to share new life with us on a daily basis; if we let Him. God really longs for us to know Him; to “dance” through life with Him. Since He is the initiator of this relationship, let Him reveal Himself to you. Jesus said that “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 15:6b). Jesus alone is the “Way, the truth, and the life" (John 15:6a). And then, respond to His leading. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Won’t you ask Jesus today to reveal the Father to you? He longs to do that. Today can be a new day for you as you too dance with the Father; a day when you too become a member of an “elite” group know as the “Body of Christ”. “

Cinderella" Lyrics by Steven Curtis Chapman from the album This Moment

Verse 1:
She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shoulders
It's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me Saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms'
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song'
Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

Verse 2:
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of her dress
She says, "Dad the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms'
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song'
Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone

Verse 3:
But she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says, "Dad the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'
Oh please, Daddy, please!"

Chorus:
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms'
Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song'
Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone