realized that one of my childhood dance teachers - a woman who was classically trained and taught modern and contemporary and ballet, and was a bit emo and also a dear Christian - was one of my most formative Christian mentors

I think especially when you’re a child, different Christian institutions (this was a Catholic dance studio) can over correct by only vetting people to work with kids who feel like they’ve arrived, or like they’re “good enough” Christians to be there, leading

we would pray at the beginning of many classes but more than anything this woman just brought us along with her and into her creative process clearly processing a lot of emotions through her in class choreography process and her movement and relationship with the music

I danced at that studio for over a decade, taking classes with that teacher for nearly all of the years and sometimes several nights a week.

Looking back, it feels extremely unusual to have been regarded with enough respect to have been brought into her vulnerable creative process and for her to have the wisdom to do share that with us in a way that was appropriate.

Tbh were there not a decade of hours between us, I probably wouldn’t have picked up on all the small comments about her life over the years that led to the realization she felt quite sad and was generally working through it through the medium of dance

I hope people like this will be involved in my kids life - Christians who don’t have it all worked out and are able to share that truthfully in small but appropriate ways with children they come alongside - encouraging them to cling to the Lord in whatever state they may be in

I was very blessed to have be able to go to this studio even when things with my family were very tough, I think it was truly an excellent emotional outlet for me Looking back it was more comprehensive spiritual formation than I ever realized at the time, too