Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: WEAR / WHERE (03/09/23)
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TITLE: Joy and Jitters | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robin Newberger
03/16/23 -
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The church lobby was buzzing with anticipation for the annual dance, “Joy Unleashed.” Gathered in the spacious lobby were over one hundred young people affected by disability. It was easy to understand where it got its name. The room was full of smiles and expectant hearts--and at least one awkward teenager. It was his first dance.
“It’s the greatest event we do all year,” the ministry director told me as she greeted us briefly amid the rush of registration.
“These high school kids who volunteer, they are the cream of the crop. I cry tears of joy every year.”
The spring event hosts young people from the community affected by disability for an evening of music and dancing, fellowship and fun, and each “VIP” is matched with a date for the evening. On both counts, this was a milestone for our son. He’s never been to a dance, and he’s never had a date.
The e-mail from the Special Abilities ministry came a week before the event. The attire was listed as semiformal. Since Daniel’s entire wardrobe consists of sweatpants, t-shirts, and flip-flops, much preparation was required to meet the standard. After two lengthy shopping trips and an Amazon purchase, Daniel was ready to trip the lights fantastic. He wanted to look good, and, boy, he would in black pants, a black button-down shirt dotted with hot-pink flamingoes on roller skates, and brand-new high-top sneakers, black with blinding snow-white laces. The final touch to his slick ensemble was an 18-inch gold rope chain with a kingly lion medallion. I acquiesced to the garish accessory because, one, he loved it, and two, it could easily pass for the Lion of Judah. The boy was ready.
I asked him if he was looking forward to meeting his date.
“She might be pretty. I hope she’s pretty,” he thought out loud.
I took this as my opportunity to expound on the meaning of Proverbs 31:30, that outward beauty is fleeting, that what’s important is the heart, and that any high school girl who volunteered for this event surely had a most-beautiful heart and it doesn’t matter what she looks like. My mini-Bible lesson was met with silence. What was I thinking? He’s 14.
Once at the dance, Daniel met his date for the evening, a tall brunette with a beautiful smile, wearing a long satin cobalt-blue dress and white slip-on tennis shoes. Her name was Charlotte, and she was lovely. We followed behind as the two of them made their way across the lobby to the high school wing where the dance was to be held.
The entrance was festooned with a large balloon arch in shades of pink and red, marking the step-off to a long red carpet, and flanking each side of the runway were happy, smiling people holding signs of encouragement for each VIP: “We love you!” “Dance the night away!” “Have fun!”
The moment had come. Everyone cheered, waving their signs in celebration. Daniel and his date reached the end of the red carpet and disappeared off to the right and out of our line of sight.
I said to my husband, “He’s going to turn around and wonder where we are."
I headed back towards one of the familiar volunteers.
“Hey, Jill, would you mind reminding Daniel that we’ll be back at 9:00 to get him? I have a feeling he’s worried right now.”
Jill’s gaze looked beyond me. She brightened and said, “There they are right now. They came back.”
Daniel and Charlotte had made their way back to the entrance and were looking for us. He fingered the lion medallion, sliding it back and forth along the chain.
“I didn’t know where you were. I was nervous,” he said.
I hugged my son, assuring him, “I know. It happened so fast that we didn’t get to say goodbye. Daddy and I will be back later. Now it’s time for you to have the best time of your life! Okay?”
Daniel nodded, “Okay, Mom.”
As we walked away, I turned back and called his name.
“Daniel?”
He turned and looked at me.
“Yeah?”
“You look really good.”
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Having served several times at Family Camp with Joni and Friends ministry, I could picture it all, and I know that joy! I'm looking forward to August when I get to do it again!