Keep Dancing!
- Richard Selke
- May 28, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 18, 2024
May 29, 2024
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We were with our friends Rock, Barbara and their daughters celebrating Octoberfest at Bavarian Gardens, a German restaurant in Houston. We adults were eating dinner while the kids were running around having fun. I was vaguely aware of the Oom-Pah music coming from the outdoor dance floor.
Lindsay, then 7-years-old, ran up and said, “Daddy, will you come dance with me?” I hesitated, she insisted, and so she and I joined a large crowd on the dance floor.
They were dancing the Chicken Dance which I had danced years before at Wurstfest in New Braunfels. I had forgotten the dance and so, we watched the other folks, mimicked their moves and started to dance.
The Chicken Dance is a fun and silly dance that is hard to do without smiling. It has a very low level of difficulty.
When the dance was over, a woman tapped me on the shoulder and said, “You’re in.” It was then I realized that Lindsay and I were competing in a Chicken Dance contest! After each dance, couples were eliminated and we were chosen to go on to the next round.
Lindsay was concentrating hard on her dance moves and had a very determined expression on her face. I observed the other contestants and discovered that she was the only kid in the competition!
I said, “Lindsay, if you’ll look like you’re having a good time, we can win this thing.”
Lindsay loosened up, smiled, started to enjoy herself and we continued to dance. We made it to the final round. There were three couples including us. When the round was over, it was time for the audience to choose the winning couple. The woman who was running the show put her hand over each couple as the crowd, which had grown quite large, applauded. She left Lindsay and me for last and when she put her hand over our heads, the crowd went wild.
We won the contest and were awarded a trophy, almost two feet tall, inscribed “1985 BAVARIAN GARDENS OCTOBERFEST CHAMPION CHICKEN DANCER.” That trophy still sits on my bookcase.
Our friends had come outside to watch us dance and I remember what Barbara said to me as Lindsay held the trophy, and I held Lindsay. She said, “This is a very special moment. You’ll never forget it!” And I never have!
Winning that trophy with Lindsay reminded me to do my best to invest my time, energy and money in making memories. The times I remember spent with loved ones are far more precious than any material things I could ever acquire.
I’ve won a few accolades, medals and trophies in my life. This one is by far the one I cherish the most. Every time I look at it, I think of Lindsay and my family and times spent with friends. It reminds me of our good God and the blessings He has given me and my loved ones.
Our good memories are precious. We must do everything we can to make them and to remember them.
The Bible says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance …” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, NIV
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, cherish your memories and keep on dancing!
QUESTION
What memories do you have that you never want to forget?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of joyful moments and cherished memories. Help us to treasure the time we spend with our loved ones and to see Your hand in the blessings You give us every day. Teach us to dance through the seasons of life with gratitude and grace, knowing that You are always with us. Guide us to make lasting memories that honor You and bring joy to our hearts.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
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