Little Red Riding Hood

Tonight, I watched my ten year old daughter dance the role of "Little Red Riding Hood" in front of an audience of 200 people at her ballet school's spring performance.  She took my breath away.  We enrolled her in ballet just two years ago strictly to lengthen her muscles...because  a little girl who can out run all the boys from 2nd to 10th grade is supposed to run track!!!  She can't try out for the track team until sixth grade and we just couldn't sit around and do nothing until then!  But nothing could have prepared me for the sight of her in a red flowing cape waltzing in and out of a living fairy tale.  I will never forget. 

The confidence she had on stage was no where to be found this morning.  I found her crying in the bathroom.  She was crying because she was afraid everyone would be disappointed because Little Red Riding Hood is not supposed to be black.  I assured her that this was not true but I felt so guilty that I could not find the right words to comfort her.  I felt guilty that she is the only black child at ballet.  In fact, she and her little brother are often the only black children at church, at school and on the ball team. I felt guilty for being her mother.  On the way to dress rehearsal, I believe the Lord did give me the words to say.  I asked her who her father was.  She said, "Daddy".  I said no, your other father.  She said, Jesus.  I shared with her that since He is the king, then she is a princess, Daughter of the King.  He does not make mistakes.  He made the color of your skin.  He placed you in your family and He directs your path.  It was His choice to bless you with this role.  You say thank you and you give it back to Him by doing your best.  The doubts she was facing, her confidence that was shaken was not from her Father.  It was from Satan, the accuser.  This was enough for me.  I knew that we had a God moment and we were both relieved by His provision. 

However, this was not enough for her Father.  Not for His princess.  You see, there is a banquet hall next door to the theater and there happened to be a wedding booked at the same time as Little Red Riding Hood.  There also happened to be a large number of children and teenagers in attendance at this wedding...and they happened to be African American.  Five minutes before the curtains opened, in they walked and filled the back two rows of the left side of the auditorium.  Everyone thought they were there for her...and I believe they were.