abunDANCE STEPS!

Lively steps........are they needed to dance?

Are lively steps possible if an aging one falters at every positional change?

abunDANCE steps are enjoyed moment by moment, bit by bit, even as one watches the joy in another's face! The face of one who is actually physically moving to the music of life, the Lord has given them.

Maybe it's time to clean the "dance shoes" out of the closet and give to someone who still has the "Tap" moves. 

Learn to "go forth in the dance of the merrymakers," metaphorically and physically.....even from a sitting position as you celebrate their joy.

"Tap your toes" in delight for them. May that please the Lord.

HAPPY DANCE DAY!

Today is Happy Dance Day! Who knew?! K-LOVE!

What a blessing to hear others share of God's goodness in their lives.

They know how to "happy dance" with gratitude from their hearts without even moving their feet.

But.....for me I can at least tap my toes knowing the One who has "turned my mourning into dancing, girded me with joy" and gladness and sees my dancing as worshipful gratitude.

MercyMe has a "Happy Dance" praise song! My "Happy Dance" contemporary worship praise song is Sydney Carter's "Lord of the Dance" with the melody of Simple Gifts.

A Happy Dance as K-Love dubs it!

FIRST-TIMERS DAY 3!

Kid's do indeed say the darndest things. Especially when they speak their own language.

Sometimes their words make us smile. Chuckle. Or...laugh out right. (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Day 3 pre-school activity was "Dress Like a Book Character"! 

There was still a bit of problem getting him in the door---maybe it was the size of the taco.

At pick-up he was smiling. He couldn't wait to tell Mommy, "I got candy at school!"

Mommy, asked, "Who gave it to you?" 

Response, "I ont know."

Rephrasing, Mommy asked, "Who gave you the candy?"

Response, "Oh, some human."

Mommy chuckled.....cause kids do say the darndest and on day 3 of pre-school, all smiles & chuckles are appreciated. 

BLESSINGS IN THE NIGHT!

Surreptitiously they came. In the dark of night!

Four furtive friends..3 sneaky kids & 1 driver/mama.

But the ears of the victim were alert to the sounds of singing!

Their pursuit was foiled.

CAUGHT in the act of blessing with balloons and handmade cards!

SURPRISE! 

WAIT A MINUTE.....

.......Which side was more surprised? The Blessers or the Bless-ee?

Does it matter? 

Blessings abounded in both directions with kisses and hugs all around as laughter and dancing were mixed in. (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

CHOOSE: LOOKING UP

Today all across our nation--from west (Oregon to east (South Carolina) people will be looking up!

My official American Paper Optics ISO 12312-2 filter glasses were ready for viewing

The most exciting part was during the complete eclipse when all around us nature came alive as if it were twilight time. (Hubby's pix is better than mine but this one was at hand.)

Birds gave off roosting sounds. Crickets and cicadas blared. Maybe they were locusts because they were so loud.

Then, the streetlight came on and a deep quiet preceded the roar of excitement that echoed up and down the streets throughout the neighborhood as folks shared their excitement of having viewed their first total solar eclipse---whoops and claps, horns honking, embracing and dancing in the street! (Ecclesiastes 3:4-5) What fun to be a part, especially with family celebrating together!

A Cuppa Acceptance....

For every season there is a time for every activity under heaven.....a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance....(Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

Laughter can be the best medicine. It's good for the soul. Often just what the soul needs---a little levity in the midst of life struggles.

A cheerful heart brings good healing---so needed by one who is crushed in spirit. The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? (Proverbs 18:14)

The perfect "happy" from Wynellen. A brisk cuppa with an apropos quote. 

The need for a merry heart must be a universal need as it is mentioned twice in Proverbs.
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (Proverbs 15:13)  A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.(Proverbs 17:22) 

The cup says it all. Sometimes we just need to accept life just as it is, with all its struggles.......and laugh---AND....it's much more fun to laugh with a dear friend! 

Dance Step "D"

Book: When Wallflowers Dance: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence

Author: Angela Thomas

A springboard for "Dancing with the Lord" discussions. 

There is….a time to dance….Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NKJV)
When the stresses of life have you not knowing which way to turn....turn to the Lord and ask Him to lead you through this "new to you" life dance.

Lesson #1 w/ insights from the foreword and the afterword

Dance Lesson --D

D ecide (Joshua 24:14) Delve (Psalm 119:169) & Discover  (Psalm 119:130) 

A .....

N ....

C ....

E ....

• Step #1---Decide you want a life of abunDANCE. Turn to the Lord as your dance partner.
• Step #2---Delve---dig to discover the truth that is available about your struggle or hard place. Determine that the Lord has you there for a reason or season, as Robert Morgan teaches in his diminutive book, Red Sea Rules. Rule #2 states, " Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief."
• Step #3---Discover what God' Word says about your hard place----fear, (Isaiah 41:13) disease/poor health, (Psalm 73:26) disappointment, hurts, or rejection (Psalm 55:12-13) Consider word searching for abide, trust, sustain, belief, hope, refuge, protection, salvation, .

Remember godly living, aka "life of abundDANCE,"  is possible even during_________________(fill in your own difficult time or struggle) as your "dance" will be unique.

Allow the Lord to turn your mourning into gladness in the midst of your struggle----that you might "dance" with HIm. (Psalm 30:11)

TEA-ckles

...and a time to laugh...(Ecclesiastes 3:4, NIV)

Time with family...brings giggles, squeals and lots of laughter---esp. with 19 in the same beach house most of the time.

Instagram pic of oldest to youngest cousin--with its own hashtag. The younger ones are trying to teach this "old lady." #bigwater2014

Lottsa cuppas "TEA-ckles" (*) at the beach---just not as many sippy cups as in the past, which is a little hard for this Shug to swallow.

Tomorrow....the rest of the story---so you'll know how "real" we Liles are.

*TEA-ckles--a tea word coined and shared by Batesville, MS Carolyn. Doncha luv it!!1!!

Seasonal Meditation

7/22/13

"To everything there is a season. A time for every purpose under heaven.

....a time to be silent and a time to speak,.....a time to weep and a time to laugh,...a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 7, and 4)

All of those emotions are real. All are valid responses to both the blessings and the seeming curve balls which life throws our way. Life isn't always one or the other----sometimes I can burst out laughing right after a good cry. 

But sometimes I have to let grief run it's course. Right now I'm dealing with the pain of watching dear friends struggle with disappointments---both in relationships and in disappointing biopsies.  I'm silent because I'm not sure what to say. I try not to let the circumstances touch me, at least not while I'm with them. I'm mourning for them. I'm not ready to dance. But God.....has said there is a time.....and I need to trust His timing. 

As Laura Story sings, 'Cause what if your blessings come through rain drops

What if Your healing comes through tears

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near?'

God's Word, song lyrics and an African (Zimbbwe) proverb are all "food for thought" on this Monday of seasonal meditation.