Written by: Mimi McKinnis
January is a time of new beginnings — a new year on the calendar, a new semester in the classroom, and new goals to work toward and achieve. While we might feel anxious to get a jump start on our resolutions (and our students are just as eager to start recital dances and take home their costumes), this month, our Twirl classes are learning about patience, studying Psalm 46:10:
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
One of the most tried and true activities in your Twirl student’s class is Freeze Dance. They love it because it’s fun. We love it because it encourages growth in spatial awareness, creativity, and most of all, listening skills. If you’re not familiar, it goes a little something like this…
Step 1: Everyone dances as the music plays, matching whatever rhythm is selected with their movements.
Step 2: When the music stops, each student must freeze immediately in the position they’re in and hold it until the music begins again.
Step 3: Repeat.
Simple enough, right? But challenging in its own ways. It’s easy to get so caught up in what we’re doing (or what our classmates are doing) that we don’t notice that the music has stopped. Sometimes it’s tricky to wait in our pose until the music starts again, especially if we’re in a difficult position. The same is true as we’re dancing through life.
Step 1: Dance to His beat. Listen to the rhythm He’s set out for you, and walk with Him through it.
“If you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.” — Deuteronomy 28:1
Step 2: Stop and be still. Can you still hear His voice? Have you been listening? Maybe your lesson is in His silence. Afterall, the teacher never talks during the test. Are you anxious for the music to begin again, or are you practicing patience, trusting His perfect will and timing?
“Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” — Psalm 25:4-5
Step 3: Repeat.
Philippians 1:9 says, “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.”
Life’s not a one-and-done round of Freeze Dance. We are God’s works in progress, so let’s be intentional about practicing patience. Let’s make a point of being still, and encourage our Twirl student to do the same. I know what you’re thinking… patience and stillness with a preschool dancer is much easier said than done! We hear you. Here’s a few tips to help as you practice these lessons together:
● Block out the noise. I think we can all agree that the world is a crazy place right now. Headlines swirl, storm clouds loom, and even our youngest students continue to adapt to new rules and routines on a daily basis (kind of feels like it’s just December 42, 2020, am I right?). But rather than buckling under the weight of it all, we can turn off the noise (and the news) and instead remind ourselves of His words (and take the time to review and recite this month’s memory verse together):
“Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. ‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’”
● Commit to quiet time with the Lord as a family. Much like our beloved Freeze Dance, this activity has plenty of benefits: It practices self-discipline, it creates intentional routine, and it keeps us mindful of God’s presence. For parents and older students, this might look like 5 minutes of devotions over coffee or time studying the scriptures before bed. Help your Twirl student establish good quiet time habits (and practice patience) by having them lay down, close their eyes, and be still as they listen to a Worship song (we suggest “Be Still and Know” by Hillsong), or simply stop and read Bible stories together throughout the week when things feel hectic.
● Pray together. Matthew 6:27 says: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” Turn to Him. Talk to Him. The music will start again. Philippians 4:6 reminds us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Be patient. Be still. Know. God’s got it.