Talk to men, at least the
American kind, and they’ll say dancing is about as
relaxing as a visit to the proctologist. I must not
be like most men, I enjoy dancing, if we’re talking
about standing apart from the woman and just shaking
everything I have. That’s NOT how ballroom dancing
works though. The waltz requires both you and the
woman to hold each other close and move together as
one. Synchronized! This requires timing, tempo, and
coordination. Fred Astaire makes it look easy, but
try it, I would rather see the proctologist.
It all happened because of a vacation we planned
with several friends. We were going to take our
wives on a seven-day Caribbean cruise and romance
the socks off them. (We’d also have some major “guy
time” scuba diving to boot.)
My wife, Bonnie, raised the question of formal night
on the ship and the need to know how to dance
formally. As for me, I just wanted to shake my
booty. She quickly informed me there would be no
booty shaking in her presence. That could mean only
one thing. Dance lessons!
To keep my friends from laughing at me taking dance
lessons, I told their wives what we were doing. They
too then demanded the same of their husbands. The
guys couldn’t believe I had stabbed them in the
back, but at least they wouldn’t be standing on the
side lines laughing and heckling with each other at
my expense. “All for one and one for all,” Right
guys?
At our first class, as the bubbly teacher announced
that we were all going to have so much fun, the
wives were grinning ear to ear with anticipation of
soft lights, warm glances, subtle gestures and
romance. In other words, they were set up for the
big letdown.
The men all looked as if they had just buried their
favorite hunting dog. The entire night, I didn’t
look into any friend’s face without hateful, (We’re
going to kill you later) stares. (These guys have no
sense of humor.)
We began by dancing apart from our wives. Safety
reasons I’m sure! Then we slowly moved toward them
until we were dancing arm and arm.
The instructor continued to bark out directions and
we continued to do our best to follow. The waltz in
its simplest terms is a quick step to the side,
followed by two long steps either forward or
backward. Add a bunch of spins and a large dance
floor and you are waltzing.
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The
instructor kept barking, “Quick step, slow, slow! Quick step, slow,
slow!” I was doing my part to lead. Bonnie was doing her part to
follow and support me. The more we practiced, the more we improved.
And then it happened. We were waltzing! We were laughing. We were
having a ball. Not everyone in the group was doing as well. One wife
commented about my friend, “Scott is just slow, slow, slow!” I
laughed, until I saw Scott’s eyes. (Why the hate, dude?)
For my wife, dancing is bonding. Quick, slow, slow, was working not
only to move us around the dance hall, but also closer together.
The Bible has its own quick, slow, slow, steps that are imperative
to any healthy relationship. “But let everyone be quick to listen,
slow to speak and slow to anger.” (James 1:19)
During our upcoming sermon series, we’re going to look at other
biblical ideas for a healthier and more enjoyable marriage. God
hoped we’d be more than just roommates. He dreamed we’d become
soulmates. |
