Saying Yes
Chris and Jenni Graebe
JENNI At the beginning of each new year , Chris and I both choose a word , a theme to guide the 365 days ahead . I love the whole process — quieting myself to hear from the Lord , leaning in to sense what He ’ s stirring in my heart and life for the coming year . Without fail , each year I always start off thinking I know the exact reason for the word and what it means for the future . Then , each time , the Lord begins to peel it back , layer by layer , to reveal new meanings , new significance for the word and the reasons I need it .
One year my word was dance . Just hang with me ; it ’ s not what it sounds like . No , I didn ’ t have hidden dreams to become a professional dancer or anything like that . As soon as it came to me , I was simultaneously excited and embarrassed . Like opening a Christmas gift to find a bright pair of neon pants that you sort of like but also don ’ t really want to wear in public . I pictured our friends rolling their eyes as we all went around the room to share our
words for the year . But , nevertheless , God ’ s quiet voice was undeniable . Dance . And I knew why .
A few weeks prior , my daughter and I had been dancing in the kitchen together , most likely to some glorious 1980s pop music . ( Sidenote : Just try to stay in a grumpy mood while blasting “ Uptown Girl ” . . . It ’ s pretty much impossible .) She was wrapped up in my arms , her legs wound securely around my waist as we danced . I leaned forward for the climactic dip and spin , and I watched as she just let her arms fly all the way out as I spun her around and around on the smooth wood floor . I ’ ll never forget the look on her face . Pure bliss . It very easily could have been one of absolute terror , for in reality , if I had let her go , she would have gone flying clear across the room . But it wasn ’ t . All she felt was sheer joy because she trusted me completely .
I couldn ’ t stop thinking about that joy on her face . How I longed to live like that . To trust God
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