My Sister's Keeper.

My dearest (and favorite) baby sister,

Today is a special day for you, as it is your first dance competition of the season.  And although this is certainly nothing out of the ordinary, seeing as you have been doing this since you were a small one, it is in fact your first time competing a solo.  I hope you are as excited as I am.

Dancing by yourself on stage can be one of the most intimidating and overwhelming experiences, knowing that every eye is watching your every move, the pressures of being perfect and giving the people what they want to see.  But it can also [and will be] one of the most rewarding and precious experiences of your entire life, one that you will carry with you forever.  Trust me, I know.

Forget about being perfect and forget about all the people watching, for that is not what this is all about.  Those moments on that stage are between you, the movement, and the music -- you will be creating beauty with every step that you take.  Do it because you love it. 

Watching you continually grow as a dancer and as a young lady has been one of the most rewarding and special opportunities that I could have ever asked for.  The Lord is so good.  And I know you say that you wish you could be the dancer that I am, but you will always be greater than I -- because you have not lost sight of your dream to be the dancer that you have been called to be, because you are more brave than I ever was.  You will always be my inspiration, and I thank God for putting you into my life for that very purpose. 

Tonight, you will have an audience of One -- and nothing else matters.  He has blessed you with a lovely gift.  Use it to worship Him and glorify His name.  And in the moments before you step onto that stage, remember why you are doing what you are doing -- because you have been blessed with a gift, because it brings indescribable  joy to your heart, and because you get to share your light with others. 

I am so very proud of you.  You will be beautiful.

All my love and more,

Your big sister.

"Let them praise His name with dancing, making melody to Him with the tambourine and lyre!  For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation."

Psalm 149: 3-4