Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

In his book, Men and Women: Enjoying the Difference, Larry Crabb shares his perspectives on God’s design of the genders and the joy that can be found in celebrating the truth of it. (Unfortunately the design is frequently misunderstood, which Dr. Crabb addresses in his book.) The following paragraph caught my attention:

“When husbands are masculine, wives tend to go ‘off duty.’ They feel relieved of the relentless pressure to make things go as they should. They relax in the strength of an advocate that frees them to more easily realize the other-centered joy of their womanhood. When wives are feminine, husbands gain confidence in handling responsibilities, and are drawn to warmly enjoy and profoundly respect the woman whose involvement with them means more to their hearts than the most coveted honor or  achievement could ever mean. They feel strengthened in deep parts of their being where nothing but femininity can touch.”

In Dr. Crabb’s description of masculinity and femininity here, I see a reflection of the lead and follow in partner dance. Could the dynamic he describes be a primary reason why so many women desire to dance with their spouse? Equally, are men affirmed in their masculinity when they embrace dancing with their wives?

To dance together is to embrace, celebrate and enjoy God’s holy and good design for us as male and female.