Book Review: Dancing Through Life
by Erin Lichnovsky
Candace Cameron Bure is an actress best known for her role as DJ Tanner on Full House from 1987-1995. Dancing Through Life: Steps of courage and conviction, an autobiographical Christian memoir, chronicles her journey through season 18 of Dancing with the Stars: a reality TV show dance competition.
From the very beginning, Bure explains how she…
depended fully on God’s strength to see her through this season of Dancing with the Stars. As she tells the story, her readers quickly get the sense of her heart and desire to shine her love for Jesus on a large stage with millions of viewers, through an intense season of stretching beyond her limits. She shares openly of her initial excitement when she was asked to be on the show, followed by her fears and doubts about if she will disappoint her family and friends, how she might be portrayed as “too sexy”, or how she personally would define modest dress, and ultimately how she would daily commit to choosing JOY through this journey as she sought to honor God. Quoting from both the Old and New Testament, Bure relates to the joy and vision of Nehemiah, the courage of Esther, and the faith of Peter as tells her story.
She clearly explains that her purpose is to glorify the Lord by sharing her inside struggles as she was challenged daily during her time on Dancing with the Stars.
“It’s about living with courage in the face of challenges. It’s about standing within the boundaries of conviction when your faith is tested. It’s about discovering who you are and how you can use your unique abilities to shine the spotlight on Jesus. It’s about rejection, grace, falling down, and standing up again” ~ Candace Cameron Bure
By leaping out of her comfort zone, Candace discovers more about her own weaknesses and need for both grace and truth in uncomfortable situations. She takes us on her journey through both highs and lows, her own personal victories, and tough lessons learned along the way.
Esther 4:14, “and who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.”
One particular idea she developed was about giving 100% every time she rehearsed; no matter if it was in front of one person, or a live audience of one million viewers. She teaches the reader the idea that we should always live our lives boldly, and with all our hearts for an audience of ONE…the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Don’t shine so others can see you, SHINE so others can see HIM!” ~ C.S. Lewis
Her writing style was easy to read with a conversational approach. It was as if you were sitting at a Starbucks listening to her over a cup of coffee. Compared to other books in this genre, her writing style was genuine and easy to follow. She left the reader wanting more with each chapter and she richly covered her stories with scriptural references that were clear and illuminated her journey.
Honestly, when I first started reading the book, I was initially annoyed by the seemingly endless vantage point of a superstar. However, by Chapter four all that changed and I saw clearly a woman after God’s own heart. She wasn’t putting on any pretense, or trying to portray someone she wanted to be, rather, she was courageous, humble, transparent, honest, and especially pliable to learn all that God wanted to teach her through this experience. I didn’t think I would be able to glean much from her testimony, but I was wrong. I learned that no matter what God calls us to, He gives us His Holy Spirit as our helper, our strength, and our deliverer. When we rely on His strength, he is glorified in our weakness. I recommend this book for moms and young women everywhere.
-Erin
“Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” ~Psalm 32:11
Dancing Through Life: Steps of Courage and Conviction
by Candace Cameron Bure, and Erin Davis
Published August 1st 2015 by B&H Books
Busy might be an understatement for Erin Lichnovsky, a mother of 8. Married for 24 years to her favorite musician and love of her life, Joey, Erin decided early that she felt God’s calling to home educate her children with her husband. Even with having graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in communications, she stays busy at home sharing AdvoCare products, teaching, cooking and doing laundry. She also fills her time working as the Program Developer for Parent and Child Education Services (www.pacesinfo.org), planning development staff training and major events which include festive family Sock Hops and formal Cotillion ballroom dances. Squeezing a nickel ‘til the buffalo growl, pinching pennies, and developing specific winning strategies has kept Erin at home with her six incredible daughters and two amazing sons. That passion for family and frugal living inspired her to write a book to help moms learn to hire themselves and save money on the largest part of their budget… the GROCERY bill! Her book, The Classic Couponer, What Hath Aristotle to do With the Kroger© Mega Sale? Is NOW available on Amazon or in “Our Favs” here on The Laundry Moms!
