Heartwarming Dance

4/29/10 Dance! Dance! Dance! It seems to jump out at me from everywhere lately. God continues to give me “dance” tidbits and trivia from all over the place. How heartwarming is that!
In February, “Day of Dance” celebrated this art form because it’s good for the heart. Today, International Dance Day is celebrated and has been every April 29 since 1982. For me it was a great analogy between the physical and the spiritual art form of dance. Dance is good for my physical heart and dancing with Him as my partner is good for my spiritual heart. "Attentiveness to Him and responsiveness to others" (C. Huffman) are heart healthy signs.
Celebrate “life” with me through the art form of dance. Allow your teacher to be the One who came that you might have life in abunDANCE!

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10)

To really celebrate, each believer needs to extend the joy of that abunDANCE to others---thus making his own heart bigger and spiritually healthier while warming the heart of another.

So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; ( Colossians 3:12)

Live the life you teach. Dance the dance you’ve chosen.

No better way to stretch/enlarge your heart than to allow God’s teaching to touch the soul of another---a heartwarming dance.

Sleep Button

4/27/10 Up early yesterday----"3 something" is even early for me. Bleary eyed. I felt like I was looking through wavy water as I typed. Under the “”apple” on my computer is a sleep button. When I scroll down and click on it, the screen "black out" is instantaneous. It’s there as a power saver---putting the computer into hibernation mode.

I want such a button in my life. I want to be just "one click" away from the comfort of sleep. No tossing. No turning. No anxious thoughts whirring in my head. No need to “pop” a Benadryl, which the docs say isn’t good for dementia avoidance. No struggling to recall verses that seem to rev up instead of calming. Sometimes I just want to sleep.

Dozed some but eventually got up a little after 4 and carried my fatigue with me to work. I just put one foot in front of the other. Not the way I like to spend my day but I did make it through. I’m not the only one, at this age who can struggle with insomnia. Certainly late night/early morning sleep disturbances are not unique to me either. Sleep deprivations from work stress compounded by an “early” school opening is often the topic of our “lunch bunch” conversation.

Prayed for strength as I left work to go read to a friend and to give her hubby a little break. Then boom! I rear-ended an SUV at Poplar and Kirby Parkway. I assumed all cars were moving but obviously the one in front of me was not. Or maybe she did and then stopped. I don’t know. I just know it was my fault and I was grateful the other driver wasn’t hurt. Some days are like that even in Australia as Alexander said during his “terrible, horrible, no good very bad day!"

Finally arriving at home, thanks to a friend passing by and calling police, a tow truck arriving for my car, a somewhat depleted bank account, and a nice Germantown policeman giving me a ride, I really desired that hibernation mode. I wanted to be able to “black out” the wreck, the guilt, and the questions of “what were the life lessons in this” that were whirring in my head.
But God……in reading last night’s God’s Calling, here’s what jumped off the page.

“Have no fear….rest before Me until you are joyful and strong again…. Deal in the same way with all tired feelings. I was weary too, when on earth, and I separated Myself … and sat and rested…. When Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me," he did not mean that he was to do all things and then rely on Me to find strength. He meant that for all I told him to do he could rely on My supplying the strength. My Work in the world has been hindered by work, work, work. Many a tireless nervous body has driven a spirit. The spirit should be the master always, and just simply and naturally use the body as need should arise. Rest in Me.”

Maybe He’s giving me permission to click the sleep button and take time-out for a little hibernation----to rest in Him and be thankful.

Dance Plans

4/26/10 If I’ve learned anything these last few months, it’s that my “dance” is His plan, not mine. Jesus Calling, these last few days, has certainly reminded me of that. The dance is empowered by Him. I’m just to respond to His lead rather that trying to make life’s dance fit my plans. My compulsive planning can cause missteps along the way. When my mind spins with multitudinous thoughts I cannot follow His lead---I can’t hear His still small voice. Is it fear that manifests itself in my excessive planning? Isn’t unbelief the root of all fear?

Yesterday’s Jesus Calling entry (4/25) reminded me to make the Lord my focal point as I moved (danced) through each day. Maybe others need reminding too. The only way for a spinning ballerina to keep her balance is to keep returning her eyes to her immovable focal point.

Certainly our world/circumstances continue to whirl around us and we, too, need to focus on the One who is the constant in our lives. That way our steps are steady and sure---because we are focused on Him and His plan for us instead of our own plans.
As I typed this I could hear my Mama Davenport’s squeaky little voice humming this old but still familiar hymn:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
 Look full in His wonderful face,
 And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
 In the light of His glory and grace

So with His plan to think about, think on this verse as you “dance” through your day. Please note parenthetical paraphrases are just my THOTS on this verse.

Let us (that’s you, Dotsy) also lay aside every encumbrance (my role of trying to plan and lead the dance) and the sin (my compulsive, excessive planning) which so easily entangles us, and let us run (dance) with endurance (His strength) the race (His dance plan) that is set before us, (Dotsy)
2fixing our (my) eyes on Jesus, (my partner who leads me in the dance) the author and perfecter of faith, (faith = belief) (Hebrews 1b-2a)

Routine for a “New Dance”

4/22/10     I am a Daddy's Girl! 

During"back in the day" college years my phone rang every Wednesday, as Daddy could call long distance "free" from Clarksville Livestock Company,

For years, my daddy has been “routine” personified. He ate grapefruit for breakfast everyday. He walked every day. Had Wednesday lunch at Mama Davenport’s in Clarksville, TN every week. You could plan your days by him---and really down to the hour and sometimes even the minute. We often joked about him being the “man to set your clock by.”

• 6:14 am wake-up
• 7:15 am “library time.”
• 8am out the door.
• 10:15 post office run.
• 3:15pm front step Hopkinsville Livestock Company (originally Altsheler and Payne) with an ice-cold 6½ oz. bottled coke---the ones in the bottle with the light green tint and embossed at the bottom with the name of the local bottler. He chose that time to watch his granddaughters, Polly and Allyson, come by on the school bus.
• 9 pm his orange that he ate every night in front of the TV---a dish towel over his lap to catch the drips.
• Bedtime 10:14.

As he aged, the routine changed somewhat and his coke became a 12 0z. can b/c the little grocery in Trenton, KY where he got his “bottle” supply finally ran out. He eventually changed to the canned “diet Coke” variety. His orange became a ½ an orange. Lunch at Roundies remained a daily routine and any of the waitresses could get his order w/o writing it down b/c it rarely varied---salmon patties on Monday, always beets on his Tuesday plate, chicken and dumplings for Thursday and ending his week with his Friday fish. They always brought his jello with fruit about 2/3 through his meal. A nod from him was all it took. Sat. lunch at the VFW was a given b/c for his “big” dollar in the jar donation, he was fed---a lunch this World War II “purple heart recipient” deserves.

That routine gave him security---it’s what he hung his hat on. Plus, when Mother was living, she supported his routine and kept it running smoothly for him. Now he hangs his hat and coats and clothes all over everywhere---although there seems to be a system to that too, I just don’t always understand it.
In the last 6 mos. Daddy really began to fail---maybe even the past year but I was not with him as much b/c of my treatment/surgeries in Texas. He still walked at the mall, though slower and not as far, and in the past month, not at all. More and more his confidence is deteriorating. His memory is fleeting and too much of the time he won’t even try but just say, “I can’t remember anything.” I hear him talking to himself trying to remind himself of what is next and even his speech falters some. What I am seeing is that Daddy is desperately trying to hold on. Trying to hold on to life as he once new it. I want to hold on for him---to hold on to the healthy Daddy, still walking his mile. Daddy, working at age 88. Daddy, only taking 1 aspirin a day Daddy and reading The Upper Room daily.

Daddy---the way I’ve always known him.

Daddy, my first dance partner---the one who danced with me standing on the top of his feet as a child----danced with me at my wedding and even at my 45th high school class reunion. There won’t be any more of those dances with my earthly father. That makes me very sad!

How do I handle this new struggle in unfamiliar territory?
I, who just 2 nights ago encouraged others to “dance,” am going to have to apply those same principles to new steps needed for this unfamiliar dance---a dance to a new tune with my heavenly Father.

Discovering that I need new revelation from God’s word or maybe it’s new application of truth I already know---THOTS---Trusting Him On This Subject as I begin to seek

Accepting that aging of a parent and its physical difficulties are for the most part out of my control and accepting (trying) my emotional pain

Noticing God’s hand in the provision of 2 brothers who are the best and the one who is closest in distance never waivers in attentiveness to Daddy’s needs

Celebrating last night’s phone call---Daddy sounded good and even told me he got some chili at Roundies for lunch b/c it was the daily special---but he said “it wasn’t that special” and he wouldn’t order it again.

Extending hope to others in this type struggle as I learn from it---but hoping others will extend to me their stories of “long distance” care for parents and how it’s worked for them

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

♫♫♪ Dance Notes ♫♫♪

4/21/10 …..because you asked.

Living a life of abunDANCE in the midst of________!

You can fill in your own blank---whether it’s serious illness, death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job, depression, etc.

I have found that this is the way to the “dance” for me.

Discovering the need to know Him better---often learned best in the struggle

Accepting pain and suffering as a gift from His grace & remembering that joy and suffering are not mutually exclusive

Noticing God’s hand in everything and being thankful.

Celebrating moment by moment the joy of being ALIVE and turned toward Him.

Extending compassion and encouragement to others as you share your story

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!

More refreshment---

4/14/10 There’s an icon (a curved arrow which I can't get to paste into the blog) on my computer browser’s URL line---Just click it and the current page refreshes itself. Wouldn’t that be nice to have for our own lives. We could just push our refresh button and God’s truths would become relevant in a new and clear way. We’d be on a new/right path.
Though it might not be as instantaneous, we do have that capability. Time in His word (not nano seconds) can be just the refresher needed to walk in a godly and fresh way.

…so we too might walk in newness of life…. (Romans 6:4)

…so that we serve in newness of the Spirit… (Romans 7:6)

Amy Carmichael, in Edges of His Ways. (April 1 entry) searched the word “newness” in a Young’s Concordance and found that the word, “newness” in the above verses was rendered in the Greek as “freshness.”

To learn more of His truth and His ways, spend time in His word today. Doesn’t that sound refreshing!

Indefatigable……

4/13/10 Indefatigable….was Houston’s (HNN) word of the day yesterday. The definition was given and it was used appropriately in a sentence but I didn’t hear all of that because I happened to know that word. My mind had already started down a Dotsy trail. (Sort of like a bunny trail, hopping here and there and often deviating from the main path.)

Perhaps in days gone by, I might have seen myself as indefatigable. Tireless. Showing sustained enthusiastic action with unflagging vitality. Not only has age changed that perception, but reality has trumped even age. I tried not yielding to fatigue both as a wife, young mom, old mom, working mom, housekeeper, friend, grandmom, Bible study leader, etc. but I couldn’t keep all those plates--- self-imposed unrealistic, perfectionistic, all things to all people, responsibilities ---spinning. In fact a lot of my world came crashing down around me----shards of plates went everywhere and pierced my very being. But God….through the psalms taught me of His strength and reminded me in Isaiah to seek it in quietness and trust.

I love the The Message version of the Bible which sums up Colossians 1:10-12. "As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable (those hard places that seem so impossible) and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us."

If you want to text me, try (n d -f t -g -b l) that keeps it short and momentarily sustainable b/c that’s about as long as I can last in my own strength. His power meets me at the juxtaposition of my weakness and that strength of His which leads to His bright & beautiful will for my life.

The pause that refreshes

4/12/10
Nothing refreshes like…….
………………make your own list or read mine.
A. an ice cold coke
B. a cup of tea
C. warm bath
D. spring rain
E. all of the above

All of these seem to have an uplifting effect on the human spirit. Of course, on second thought, the most spiritual answer would be Jesus. We too often seek His refreshment as a second thought or after the fact---after all else (our actions) fail.

Today, take a pause that refreshes the soul---drink from the fountain of living water.

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your body And to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8)

For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes. (Jeremiah 31:25)

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)

Imbibe early for refreshment throughout your day.

“memories, nostalgia and flashbacks”

4/7/10….that’s what Nathan Hughes heading was on a LHH message board to me in March 2009. I have had more of his comments and e-mails since then but that message line reflects my feelings today knowing his parents have had to arrange for his funeral.
• Nathan---that little 5 yr. old who “stormed” through my kindergarten door at Germantown Elementary in September 1978. Those first few days it was anyone’s guess as to who was really in charge in that class. I finally prevailed, probably because I was the “bigger” of the two of us.
• Nathan, who would turn off both his hearing aids and close his eyes when he didn’t want to “listen” to me.
• Nathan, who because of his profound hearing loss, saw the world better and brighter than any of us could. He noticed everything. Once while “listening” (probably by reading my lips) to me read a story and while daughter Molly, in utero, began kicking, Nathan jumped up and placed both hands on my stomach and declared in his “Nathan voice,” “It’s alive in there!”
• Nathan, who when trying to learn “social” rules about church behavior, declared, “one shouldn’t throw tomatoes at the preacher."
• Nathan, whose kindergarten symbol was a cross to make it easy to identify his work, had the “end of the year cake” iced and decorated with everyone’s individual symbols. He passed out the correct pieces, symbol by symbol to everyone in the class.
• Nathan, who years years later wrote to me saying, “I remember you assigned me a class symbol..a cross. How significant and poignant that was, because later that year I would come to know Jesus, and what the Cross stood for."
• Nathan who stole my heart!
His family embraced me as well. On the home visits, I saw the big slate wall where his kindergarten concepts were reinforced daily by his parents. I also saw the speech-to-speech machine where his dad, Ralph, worked nightly trying to help Nathan voice sounds to match his. Nathan followed only the needle on the machine because he could not hear those sounds. Tedious work, done day in and day out---all for Nathan’s benefit. His mother, Carolyn, even babysat 3 week-old, Molly for me so that I could teach that last month of kindergarten. She would bring her up to me at the school each day for me to feed her. What a ministry! What a loving, caring family. Carolyn even gave me a framed scripture verse reminding me to “Choose each day” whom I would serve. She knew, before I did how, how important scripture would become in my life. She passed that on to Nathan because he shared scripture for me in his e-mails 30 years later.

Nathan, whose life moments I celebrated and often attended and whose daughter I held, has left me and many others feeling sad and empty. The grief is palpable. No more of his quips to lift our spirits. No more of those gorgeous eyes to twinkle in mischief. But, he has left us with lots of good “memories, nostalgia and flashbacks.” I choose to smile through my tears as I remember these things.

"Sooner Rather Than Later"

4/6/10 Having been with my 5 young grand boys more than usual last month, I had opportunity to appreciate the parenting skills of both sets of parents. It is their desire to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord even though that does not seem to be “society’s way.”

Son, Buddy, used part of the spring break visit as an opportunity for “the talk” with his 8 year-old son. Before the world had its way in shaping Nathan’s view on sex, he wanted him to know the truth and to see this loving concern as coming from a father whom he could trust. Buddy was encouraged to have this talk “sooner rather than later” from one of Mary Flo Ridley’s, “Simple Truths” seminars through the "Just Say Yes" organization.

Mary Flo equips parents to celebrate their child's normal curiosity and teaches them how to respond confidently and factually with an answer their child can understand at his/her age.
She has spoken all over the country at schools, civic meetings, and churches. Each Friday on a recently constructed blog, she helps parents answer those “where do babies come from?” type-questions. It would behoove (my grandmother’s word) both parents and grandparents to check it out-- "sooner than you think."

She has a few personal entries as well, which I love cause she’s real!! (I have had first hand experience as a frequent guest in her home.) Mary Flo is quite the legitimate mom, cook, and writer. However, if you want to cut to the chase to get the “sex” info or submit your own question, the site is easy to navigate.

It is worth your time, sooner rather than later---for your child’s sake.

RULES!

4/5/10 I grew up in a house full of rules. Manners first---always! No patent leather shoes before Easter and never after Labor Day. No caps at the table---ever! No listening in on the party line. Even in landscaping, Mother only allowed white and green planted “out front.” All colored flowers were in the back in her cutting garden.

My cherry tree that is in our front yard met Mother’s criteria (Josh, the giver, must have known her rule.) It blooms bright white every spring. Yet, when we came home this weekend to the driveway littered with its petals, it was magnificent---the dried petals had turned into mounds of pinkish petal dunes scattered by the wind. So much for that rule---I loved the pink!

During the little Texans Spring Break visit, I laid out rules for them as well. Street play not allowed. No standing in their golf cart. Turn around for all vehicles was the Kaplan’s driveway, etc. I must have overdone it a bit because when I asked Noah to put his socks on he responded , “Is there a sock rule too?”

I tend to follow rules. I find security in rules and laws, often getting really miffed at those who break them, especially litterers. However, when I’m honest with myself, I know that I (and others) can rationalize when “real” laws are broken, or even one of our own self-imposed rules.

How ‘bout the golden rule? Or those other laws and rules laid out in God’s word? They lead to righteous living but can often be hard to follow. Just look at 3 of my “biggie” struggles.
• Do everything without complaining or arguing. (Philippians 2:14)
• Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Philippians 4:5)
• Do not be anxious about anything, (Philippians 4:6)

Even the apostle Paul had trouble keeping the rules. Romans 7:19 shares his inner conflict. “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
How grateful I am for grace---grace as seen in the next chapter verse 1 which says, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Now that’s something to think about for those of us who are still struggling with some of the rules. This isn’t license to break the rules but a reminder that His grace will guide us in our struggle.

Pick of the Litter

4/2/10 Fifty-nine years ago today, I chose my baby brother, or so the story goes. It was a snowy day in April in Hopkinsville, KY when my Aunt Dot Seay came to tell me of the predicament. My mother had gone to the Jennie Stuart hospital to pick up our new baby. I don’t guess we “birthed” babies back then and there had never been any “where babies come from” discussions at 2211. My Aunt Dot, who was Dr. Cost’s assisting nurse, came to tell me that 4 babies had been delivered that day----3 really ugly little girls and 1 precious little boy with curly blonde hair. She wanted to know which one I wanted since all along I had thought I would “get” a baby sister. I guess ugly didn’t appeal to me because I chose my baby brother. I made a good choice.

Our heavenly Father chose each of us. Was it a good choice?

According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)

Because He sees us through the love and sacrifice of His Son, He sees a good choice. Do others see that as well? Our lives reflect the choices we make. Do we make good choices?

….choose you this day whom ye will serve;…..as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15)

Plan A to Plan B to Plan C........

4/1/10......and so on. How right Sarah Young's Jesus Calling entry was this morning when it said that we need to let go of our "to-do" list and to let go of the fantasy of an uncluttered life. "Clutter," in this context, defined by me, as anything getting in the way of my "to do" list----those unexpected happenings that alter our plans. Our plans for the Easter weekend are to spend time in Hoptown with Daddy. The exact amount of time may be altered by 2 recent phones calls.
A 5:30 am phone call alerted us that a high school chum of Larry's died in his sleep. He and Larry were just working on a class of '65 dinner together last month. Now, funeral plans pending.
After lunch Molly called with news that her hubby, Corey's grandmother just died. Plans incomplete at this time.
So our plans are also pending---do we take two cars, do we leave a day early?
Life is indeed full of twists and turns and unexpected happenings. We're all just one breath or phone call away. We are blessed to know the One who is the same yesterday, today and forever and though we may make our plans He is the One who directs our steps. He knows the plan for our lives. He gives us a future and a hope. Praise to the Resurrected One!