KEEP ON DANCING!

Do you feel sometimes as if you're stumbling backwards during this pandemic?

My "feelings" are trying to keep me overwhelmed, anxious, frustrated, IRRITABLE! (note all CAPS)

As I pulled out a napkin for my morning cuppa, from my "clean out/use up Cover-19 pare down stuff stack", I was astounded.

Like a tap on my shoulder, the napkin said it all. I was soon tapping my toes and humming, "Lord of the Dance". "Dance, then, wherever you maybe, ..........I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,....I'll lead you all in the Dance, said he" (S. Carter's English Hymn with melody from Shaker hymn, "Simple Gifts")

Don't give up when you stumble. Remember who your dance partner is---look up, not at your feet, and let Him lead with a new unique step, turn or dip.

Don't quit! Just keep on dancing with your eyes on the LORD. It's when we look down at our feet, (those overwhelming, anxious, frustrating, irritating, circumstances) that we stumble. Turn up the music so you can hear from Him not from the discouraging words in your head.

Though he (she) may stumble, he will not fall (be hurled headlong), for the LORD upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:24)

Remember who has your hand in His when you're dancing, allowing Him to guide you with His righteous right hand and...............KEEP ON DANCING!

CHOOSE: TO DANCE

Dance Lesson to follow...............

Sometimes its hard to even take that first step on the "Dance floor of Life" especially if the tune is unfamiliar or the lyrics to the song are ones you don't want to hear.

If first step hard to take, just hold out your arms and your dance partner will meet you more than halfway because He is already on thence floor. He can give clear direction----more than once, if needed. Many dancers have to revisit this first step often in order to clearly learn the lesson the Lord has for them.

But....when the "Lord of the Dance" is your partner and you are allowing Him to lead your steps, it's easy, not only to choose to dance with Him, but to be the first one to hit the dance floor.

CHOOSE: HIS GUIDANCE

Hubby's high school chum, Norman Mitchell, introduced us (2009) to the "faith family's" definition for guidance. It certainly fit my cancer journey, which I had dubbed, "my dance."  Linguistically, it's use is probably metaphorical or maybe analogous, to my trusting the Lord to guide me during that time of the "unknown."
Each twist and turn seemed to be a new step in my "MAC Dance."

One lesson learned from that experience is that the dance of life never quits until heaven.
The dance might change steps and the music might go from lament and blues to doo-wop and gospel, but life, and all it's ruts and bumps as well as fun, frivolity and worship is always better when it's done with Him.

God, you and I definitely dance---and when You are doing the leading, it's a wonder to behold!

Rules of the Dance

4/19/10 Earlier this month I blogged about “rules” in life---rules for our own safety and protection. I intimated that for me some rules are easier to follow than others. Believe it or not I see this analogy very clearly in dance. Following the step patterns (rules of the dance) is important but some steps or routines are just easier than others. When one is dancing with a partner, more often than not, it is the ability of the one following the leader to relinquish the lead and totally depend on the “lead” which makes the dance flow. It looks easy. Seamless. Hard to see where one ends and the other begins. Beautiful.

Alexander McCall Smith writes a charming series of lady detective stories set in Botswana which grace my bookshelf. In his 7th book, Blue Shoes and Happiness, Smith writes, “Dancing is about contact between people…..When you dance with somebody you are talking to him even if you do not open your mouth. Your movements can show what is in your heart.”
I so understand what he is saying. When I recognize the One Who is the “Lord of my Dance” and allow Him to lead me, there is no need for talk. It’s as if we move as one in a prayerful communion, without uttering a word. If the desire of my heart is to truly follow Him and His lead wherever that might take me, He hears my heart---no words needed.

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19)

At our house we say, "It's the rule." Enough said!

Sunday Summary

1/24/10 WARNING----You might not want to read this. It might wear you out. But…..if you decide to read it, please continue to its conclusion because there is always hope at the end of this turbulent tunnel called life.
A “War of Words” has been going on in my mind these first three weeks of 2010. Warring is difficult----battles wear me out. But…..they are necessary otherwise the wrong thoughts will take over. Those thoughts of fear and uncertainty can become the focus and that wrong focus can wear one out! "For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)

Granted there are things that I can’t change---aging, the Haiti catastrophe, work hours, grant deadlines, family illnesses and choices of others. Possibly my reactions and responses to these givens need something, but what? Turning off the nightly news might temporarily relieve me of the claustrophobic thoughts/fears of being buried alive and weeping for those who have had to endure that. I try to push down that fear with scripture knowing that He has not given us a “spirit of fear” but of power….so where’s my power-----what can I do to help the Haitians. God has given me valid ways. Now, how do I help others see God’s goodness in the midst of this?


Haitians have needs, family has needs, friends have needs. I have needs---coherent thoughts and an ability to articulate words that seem to “trip” coming out of my new mouth. I need more time for praise and prayer for folks with appropriate scripture verses and a computer that doesn’t frustrate me. I need to remember to remind my husband of how grateful I am for his support (dishwashing hands) and the down time he allows me, especially on weekends.
I’m overwhelmed. I need a nap! Actually, I really need exercise but the bed draws me more often than the walk, the weights or the swimming pool. I need a “mind” so that I don’t forget my keys or glasses as I rush out the door at 5:30am.


Doc visit last week reminded me that my own “forgetfulness” is probably exacerbated by aging (can’t change that), effects of anesthesia and surgery (can’t change that either) as well as stress and fatigue (3:15 am wakeups don’t help). Uh –hello, that list is not exactly an ah-ha moment, so what do I do about it. Doc rec was a good vitamin----which I forget to take ½ the time and cutting back. Where do you cut? I need more time and energy to minister to others. I’m too tired to even talk on the phone most nights. The One who is necessary, is NOT where I need to cut back but I am having to make creative adjustments and they don’t look very spiritual. I need to quit worrying about what the world sees (as if my testimony is of utmost importance) and only care about what God wants. His Goodness can get along without me. (Oh my---now there’s a thought that shouldn’t come as a shock.) God doesn’t need any of us but He delights in all of us. (Zephaniah 3:17)


Oh, He has given me glimpses of His grace all month---Michèle’s call, card & needle work reminders from HHS chum, pimento cheese, an encouraging blog comment, caring wise brothers, celebrations in Texas, Berlin UMC ‘s “Lord of the Dance” and timely e-mails. God’s way is glimpses of grace. I just happen to want gobs of grace and I want it yesterday. I want time. I want energy. I want it all and yet I can’t keep all those plates spinning. Sounds like too much of me and so little of Thee. How sad!
Once again I return to the juxtaposition of my human frailty and God’s strength. At this crossroad, I need to choose His power and give Him my limitations.
God Calling 1/23 entry “It (God’s power) is breathed in by the soul who lives in My Presence.”

This is the air I breathe
This is the air I breathe
Your holy Presence
Living in me

(Mercy Me, 2002)

For 3 weeks “Word and Prayer” have been my bookends. Even though limited, this time is vital. It’s just not what it was when I was in Dallas----I’m not in Dallas anymore and God has really had to protect my back side as I have returned to work with less mind, less strength and new demands. He has given me grace for one step at a time. Grace for today. I know that’s true. I lived it for an entire year. That’s what I need to remember.
The Zephaniah verse also says “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior” (In Him, the war is already won.) and Romans 8:37 reminds me “…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty. (Zechariah 4:6)
So welcome to my "Sunday mind"----not one of warring but one of acceptance. Now I can leave the war room and go to the ballroom where I can dance. I want to dance!

The Dance

FYI--Ambien kept me asleep til 3:50---so many questions and decisions but I truly am not dismayed---Psa. 27: one of last verses says "I would have despaired had I not seen the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." Yesterday I was physically surrounded by God's goodness through my "praying buds" and family (even though far away). This morning the Lord and I have been discussing the next step in my dance of life---Do you know the old hymn, "Lord of the Dance"? It was in the hymnal of First Methodist Church in Hoptown.

Not sure where we're going for surgery---wherever God leads--- though my heart desires Dallas---Buddy's devout Christian doc friend has given some good advice and thinks Dallas will be okay. He's still checking. He's tops in field of reconstruction (just not my kind) and he could be our eyes and ears and son, Buddy and Day live just north of Dallas in Allen, TX and could offer a pillow and support for Larry.

for blog---excerpt from prayer journal (comment from Norman M.)

1/20/09

G (God) U AND I DANCE (Guidance) (for all my "non-dancing denomination" friends, forgive me)

I am asking God to guide me through this dance that has come up on my dance of life song card--I don't know this dance and I'm asking Him to teach me the steps. In Hoptown, during my high school days and at the Sub Deb dances, we would have a "no-break" card. You had your card signed by those whom you wanted uninterrupted dance time with---no one was allowed to "cut in/break in---you know, the old tap on the shoulder move---your eyes were for that partner alone. So today I'm asking God to to be my partner and to allow only the best (docs, medicine, counselors) to break-in and join me in this new song, composed by the Lord of the Dance---for my eyes are on Him alone.

I am a dancer ("bopper") and it's the desire of my heart to dance through this new song, hand in hand with the Lord, my true partner, as He teaches me step-by-step whether it's a waltz that moves slow and easy or a tango or jerk with some unexpected bumps. This is a new dance for me but I have a great teacher, The "Lord of the Dance" and the hope of my heart is that I can dance at Halle and Kyle's wedding on April 4.