It Might Be Time To Twirl

It Might Be Time to Twirl

Kara needed a grown-up helper for a little while, and thankfully that job was mine. One morning we met at a local department store to shop before the store opened. Local donors had made it possible for us to “buy” a set dollar amount of back-to-school clothes for Kara, who was starting first grade. As we waited for the other kids to arrive, we planned what she might need: new shoes, shorts, jeans, dresses, and shirts.

As Kara squirmed with anticipation, I was already tallying our list in my head, hoping I could stretch the allotted dollars by finding some good sale items. When the organizers gave the word, we stood up, and Kara took my hand. We fast-walked to the girls’ department and began the hunt.

In less than twenty minutes, my arms were full of possibilities. Some I had selected; others Kara had chosen. We headed for the dressing rooms, but they were already jammed with other kids and their chaperones. Some kids were changing in the hallways, but Kara wanted a room. So we waited. Once inside I became the holder as Kara chose the first outfit. She dressed herself quickly, allowing me to adjust hems and smooth wrinkles. Then she looked in the mirror and smiled a megawatt smile. She liked what she saw! She looked back at me, and I nodded my approval. Then she opened the dressing room door and did a turn for another volunteer seated on the floor outside.

“Oh, look at you!” the woman cried. “That looks so pretty on you!”

We did this with each outfit. Kara dressed, smiled at herself in the mirror, twirled for me, then showed her new friend outside. After the third or fourth change, she came back in, threw herself across my lap, looked up shyly, and said, “I’m showing off.”

I didn’t mind at all. I would not have begrudged her one instant of feeling special and thrilled to be given so much at once.

Sometimes God blesses me, and I forget to twirl. Or I’m ashamed to openly celebrate, in case his goodness was accidental. I hide my delight as if it were wrong to be giddy in his sight. It is not. Let the twirling begin.

O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!

Psalm 34:8, NASB