A few months into learning to tap dance, I was lying on a friend’s couch where I was house sitting and asking God, “Why tap dancing of all things?” The answer he gave me that day inspired this story. It’s one of those stories that is true in the deeper sense, the kind where it is deeply true for me.
When God Grinned
By Sarah Katreen Hoggatt
Lying in bed in the early afternoon, my mind wandering over the things going on in my life, God touched my hand and said, “I have something for you.” I looked over at him in interest for he had been sitting silently by my side for quite a while. After helping me sit up, he reached down to the floor, and lifted a yellow box into his lap. He then looked at me, searching my face with eager eyes.
Nervously, for I had seen some of God’s surprises before, I returned his gaze then watched as he lifted the lid and withdrew a pair of black leather shoes. Confused, I looked back up at him and seeing my question, he responded,
“They’re tap shoes. See?”, as he turned them around so I could see the metal taps on the toes and heels. “You use them for tap dancing.”
Having been unable to walk for months, “Nice,” was the only reaction that came to mind.
Giving me a serious look, he tenderly said, “I’m going to teach you to walk again, and this is how we’re going to do it.”
My mouth dropping open, I inquired, “Are you sure God? I haven’t been on my feet in months, let alone my lack of athletic prowess and physical coordination.”
“I know, but you are ready. Your stamina may yet be weak, but you are strong and I know you can do this.” He paused, then added, “Sarah, it is time.”
Yet in disbelief I asked, “But why tap dancing? I mean, I like watching people dance, but I never thought to take that form up myself.”
“You won’t understand all the why’s right now, but this is something I want you to do. You will understand why in time. Besides, you will have a lot of fun learning how.”
“Uh-huh. I’ve learned to dance before God and while it was fun, my feet don’t always listen as well as I do.”
Seeing the mischief in my eyes, he reflected some of his own, “Well, maybe now is a good time to teach them.”
“What if the people think I am an idiot for not doing it right?”
“Do you remember your time at the nursing home and watching those people walk up and down the hallway?”
Curiously, I answered, “Yes.”
“Did you laugh at them? Did you think any less of them for not being able to walk as well as you did?”
I shook my head no.
“Neither will they. You’ll be fine. Sure it will be hard and you will get frustrated, but that is a part of learning and I will be there to help you. The important thing is to keep at it. “
Looking down at my hands I thought about that for a minute. Tap dancing did sound like fun and if He would be there beside me, no matter how hard it was, I would be okay, he would always help me back up. Besides, he thought I was ready and he would be the one to know. It was then I realized I had been getting anxious to do something new, something that fit the person God had just recreated me to be. Raising up my head again and looking into his expectant face, I said, “Okay then, let’s do it. I’m ready.”
That is when God grinned.
365-09 #214