Chaplain Corner Submissions - Ben Caudill Chaplain's Corner

DANCE WITH ME DADDY

I vividly recall our first dance together. I was invited to a tea party. She announced that it was a former affair and I was requested to wear her favorite shirt. She had ‘bought’ it for me at Christmas. It was a bright red flannel shirt with black interwoven strands. She had decided to wear the little red outfit that I had purchased her a few weeks ago. She had invited Betsy and Diaper Dan to keep us company.

On that special day, she scurried around the house with great anticipation and then announced the fruits of her labor were ready. I was to sit at the head of the table and her other guests sat quietly on each side of me. She brought her ‘tea’ and cookies and then sat down with a sigh of joy. She asked me if I would bless the food. I did so and then we had the most wondrous conversation. She was the perfect hostess.

She excused herself and began clearing the table. I offered to help but she declined my offer stating that I was her guest. After she put the dishes in the sink, she turned to me and smiled. She went over to the radio and turned it on. A slow song, by the name of Stand by Me, was playing and when she turned I saw in her eyes the look of love. She hesitated and then simply said, “Dance with me daddy”.

I chocked back the tears as I embraced that lovely child of three years of age and slowly danced. She put her feet on top of my shoes and I gently swayed from side to side, fully understanding the definition of altruistic love. Of all the joy in my life, I will never forget those wondrous moments when I held my daughter close, as we danced without one care in the world. How I miss the dance.

How I long for those days of yesteryear to come once again. I would give all of my tomorrows for just one yesterday when we danced. Just to hear her sweet voice say, ‘Dance with me daddy’ before I cross over the river, would be the greatest gift I could possibly receive. Sometimes in life we forget the most wondrous times are made up of the simplest of things. The dance was my moment in the sun and how I wish there had been more dances to remember. However, I shall be ever grateful to my God for affording me that brief moment in the sun.

Friends, what are your fondest memories? I can guarantee they are not the day you purchased a new car, or bought a new home but consists of family time and the different dances of your life. Friends, do you have regrets? Things you didn’t do and deeply lament? Mine is simply that I did not dance as much as I should have done. If I could give one gift to my son and daughter it would be that of time. I would wish to see them spend more time with their family and learn all that is essential is invisible to the eye through the dance. What matters most is the love we give away, not the love we receive.

Jesus gave us of His time, though short; it was quality. His thirty three years filled with a passion for life and a love of His family. He demonstrated his love for children in so many ways. He taught us not to take for granted our time; for it is but a blink of an eye, a twinkling of a star, a beat of a heart. In Luke 18: 16-17 “Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”Are we all not the children of our creator? Have you ever experienced a dance with Him? He calls us with each beat of our heart to come forth and dance before it is too late.

Dear friend take the time to embrace your children in dance and teach them the ways of godliness while young so they will not depart from them when they face an uncertain world. Treasure the moments, for they quickly wane. Express your love through every venue possible. Earn a living but more importantly, make a life. Love one another as Christ has loved us. Forgive quickly and look for an opportunity to dance. Blessed for the dances I have been afforded, I remain humbled by the last waltz, the old general