I do realize the later donations can be a tax write off. However, we are not looking at the motivation, just the giving.) While all of these examples of giving are wonderful and may even save several lives, there is still another important way to give. Perhaps it is one of the most important ways to give, at least in my opinion. It is teaching. Teaching is a gift that keeps on giving. Have you ever heard the following proverb? “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” To me, this characterizes why teaching others is so important. It is essential in order to perpetuate life. No one has achieved what he or she has today without the help of another. I am not talking about parents or family but individuals like your teacher, your coach, your pastor, your best friend, spouse or significant other. They gave something to you that is priceless. They contributed to making you the person you are today. Whether it was through lessons, advice, words of wisdom or just listening, they gave you their time. Do not overlook the significance of what I am saying because not everyone received this gift. Some people did not have a teacher who made sure they understood the lesson. Some people did not have a coach who instilled a work ethic in them. I could go on, but I think that you comprehend the point I am making. As you know, giving sometimes comes from what you have to offer. When I was a child, my parents put me in dance lessons – ballet, tap and jazz. (Dance classes these days seem like a rite of passage for a little girl.) For the most part, I enjoyed it. However, as I grew older, I became less interested in dance. Even though, I worked hard to wear the coveted “toe shoes”. They look beautiful on the outside, but hurt on the inside. Yet, I loved to wear them. My love soon diminished as I entered high school. I soon gave up dance for other things. (That is a story for a different day.) Therefore, after all of those years of training since I was 3 or 4 years old, I did not really do anything with it. It was not until I was in my mid 20’s that dance would re-enter my life. I saw a need at my church to teach dance. I saw a dance group at another church and thought that would be great for the young girls at my church. Then I thought, wait…I could teach them. For that reason, I went to my Pastor and said I would like to put together a Praise Dance group for the girls. He told me he had just prayed about having a Praise Dance group, but did not know who could lead it. It
seemed, as if I was the answer to his prayer, literally. At that moment, it seemed clear to me, what all those dance lessons were for that I took as a child. They were preparation for what I am doing now – directing and teaching young girls to Praise Dance. I select songs and put movements to the words to express the meaning through dance. I have taught girls from ages 6-17 years old. It has definitely been a challenge, yet it is rewarding as well. Many of them have told me how they have enjoyed dancing and that it has improved their confidence. I am happy to give of my time to the girls, especially when they are appreciative. While I am there to teach dance, I do find myself mentoring them in other aspects of their lives - school, sports, friends, siblings, etc. I wonder if my parents knew the impact of putting me in dance lessons, would have on others. I guess their money was well spent after all. The dance lessons not only impacted me, but almost 2-dozen other girls and the number keeps growing. One of the young girls that I taught moved and joined another church, where as a young adult she is assisting with Praise Dance. She is sharing with others what I taught to her. I never imagined that I would be able to inspire one of them so that they would want to give what the learned to others. I realized that one act of giving can be multiplied numerous times, equaling hundreds of acts of giving. It just takes one person giving of himself or herself to inspire others to do the same. I did not start teaching dance because I thought I would get something in return. I started the Dance Ministry because I saw a need. It just so happens that I got something in return – joy. Joy in watching these girls blossom into young women and grow in grace. You see the gift of dance was not just mine to keep. It was a gift for me to pass on… a gift that never ends!
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