Secrets to Becoming a Great Follow

Secrets to Becoming a Great FollowA great swing dancer knows the secrets to becoming a great follow. A while back, I taught a class for lady swing dancers in Uptown Whittier, California. We had a good time exploring ways we can help our dance partners – and husbands – become better leads.

  • Wish I could say I am the Best Follow Ever, but I’m not.
  • I’ve made way too many mistakes. Especially with The Cute Boy.
  • But he is always very forgiving and knows that I’m still learning, too.

Perhaps it’s time to re-read my own book, eh?

NOTE: The Lovely Ladies pictured here with me were Gorgeous Winners of our door prizes: My book, Ephesians 5 Romance, and Free Dance Lessons.

The Dance Floor is a Great Place to Practice the Secrets to Becoming a Great Follow

A man and a woman dancing together in three-quarter time is the best metaphor for – and experience of – Romance.

In one of my favorite waltz videos, so many couples are on the dance floor it’s hard to imagine how they keep twirling around without crashing into one another. That is, unless you realize that each pair has only one leader.

The man’s job is to protect his partner from other couples on the floor, and to guide her steps as they swish and swirl in time to the music. If the woman criticizes what he’s doing or starts to pull him in a different direction, it’ll be virtually impossible for him to take responsibility for the dance.

He takes the lead. She follows.

  • He guides and protects her.
  • She influences him, even as she admires him … and makes him look good to anyone who’s watching.

Paul put it this way: Wives, understand & support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to His Church, not by domineering but by cherishing. … Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church — a love marked by giving, not getting. EPHESIANS 5

How cool is that?