This has been a post that has been a long time coming. I've been meaning to write about this for a while but, well I wanted to make sure that what I wrote was really how I felt and well, nothing has changed so here it is. I apologize first hand for blogging about something I post about often, and that is Dance Moms.

I know I know, it's ridiculous, but for some reason I happen to look into the deeper side of things. I always learn something from anything I engage in and, this show happens to be the recent one.

I first started watching this show because of Sia's Chandelier video. Before this video, I never knew this show existed or heard of Maddie Ziegler.. but seeing  this girl become a game changer in this world, of course that's going to get my attention. I love seeing people make their mark in this world, and I love it even more when I see them doing it through something they love. So of course, I started watching the show.. and as much as I love Maddie, it is her sister Mackenzie that I've become a fan of.

There are so many character qualities that I love about this show, as ridiculous as it is. I'm not sure how I can see these deep in meaningful qualities in the things I watch, but I'm glad I do.

First, I'm not a big fan of Christi, but I do love the way she loves Chloe. What I love to see about their relationship is that Christ doesn't make Chloe dance, nor is she willing to do whatever it takes to get her daughter ahead. In fact, Christi stands behind her daughter's passion and encourages it. I love to see that, and I think that plays a big factor in the way Chloe dances. If there is anything I love, it's to see someone encouraged in their passions.

When it comes to the girls, I love to see their dynamic with eachother. I see it a lot more in the earlier seasons, but I do still see it now. I think these girls show a lot of us believers up with how they love one another. They celebrate each other's achievements, and feel each other's pains. They are quick to rejoice with each other, quick to run and comfort one another, and quick to weep with one another. It's definitely something that challenges me to step up more and do with those around me. After all, it's biblical that we bear one another's burdens, weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice. These girls who have been on the show from the ages of 6-12 or so until 10-16 show the exact model of what this looks like.

For example, in one episode Nia is doing a solo. She ends up forgetting her dance and runs off stage where Maddie and Chloe run to her.. When Nia's mom runs over to her, Maddie grabs Nia's hand and runs her to her mom. In the audience, we see Mackenzie cry for her.. I love that scene so so so much because it's a display of what we should always be doing for each other. When one is hurting, we should be running them to the one that's going to comfort them... we should be running them to the source of peace and understanding.. and we should be empathizing and feeling it, too.  I definitely don't do the greatest job at it, and it's a great challenge for me to see this.

Another thing I love to see is Maddie watching Mackenzie dance. I love it because Maddie always has a huge smile watching her sister dance.. You see this a lot in the earlier seasons, but still... the fact that she can watch her sister with such love is an incredible thing to see. We as adults can learn a lot about that. On the other hand, anytime Maddie does a great job, Mackenzie always runs to her and gives her the biggest hug in the dressing room. I know they're sisters, but let's face it, how often do we actually see any relationships like this. Even now on the show and through social media, even though they do fight, I still see them encouraging and celebrating each other.

Now, there are many reasons I can give about loving Mackenzie, but the main thing is, everytime the group wins any kind of place, she is the first to jump up and go after the prize. I think that is exactly how we should be living our lives... leaping and chasing down the prize. In the end, the prize is going to be bigger and better than we ever could have expected even if it doesn't come in the place we hope. And because she does this, she makes me think of Peter... Peter was always leaping out of the boat to get to His prize... and His prize was Jesus. Even though His faith was shaky and denying, He was always the one to leap out of the boat to get to Jesus. That is exactly how I want to live... leaping out of the boat to chase after the prize when I see it right before me. Plus, Kenzie reminds me of my niece Anna.. and I'm thankful that there are young girls who set positive examples for girls like my niece.

So there you have it.. These are the reasons I love the show... I'm sure I'm always going to see something I cold learn about. As a believer, I'm always looking into the deeper side of things..