D is for…………

12/2/09…………….DANCING PARTNER! You probably already knew that, but I didn’t. It was revealed to me in the middle of the night. Of course, it has to be that characteristic. It’s the way I‘ve known Him best this year.

The term doesn’t exactly resonate with spirituality but it clearly expresses the year I’ve had in His presence. It’s been a way to celebrate life when it seemed so tenuous. The beauty of dancing with Him is that’s it’s a forever dance and it just gets better---I hope to keep dancing.......as the "gift" sign above our fireplace reminds me.

Last week Larry and I watched a “Dancing with the Stars” recap. What a difference from those first weeks. As the dancers began to know and trust their partners they seem to meld. It took lots of daily contact and hard work. At the end, the top 4 partners (even those who stumbled miserably at first) showed that all that time together, even enduring pain during the practices, paid off---it was as if they were one. Is that the way it is for you? Are you one with Him? Is your time on earth a dance rehearsal for that eternal dance with Him?

It’s not too late to learn. Just turn toward Him. Step out there and take His extended hand. He’ll hold you in His embrace and be with you through those spins and dips and turns that life sends your way. You might get dizzy, or stumble a little but He won’t let you "fall headlong"---and that’s scriptural. (Psalm 37:24)

Each person’s dance is different. Looks different. Feels different. Tempo is different. Steps vary from easy to complex. As in life, we are all at varying levels of knowing Him. But all of our dances have one thing in common---a celebration of life in Him! Let Him whisper in your ear as you dance.

This weekend I hope to be dancing on the mountaintops with Him. How about you? Are you dancing with the Lord?

It’s never too late to begin your dance with God.

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;…….and girded me with gladness. (Psalm 30:11)

........I hope you Dance!!!

BATTLE FATIGUE

5/29/09 Battle weary............
Up since 4:15 a.m. with anxious thoughts whirring in my head. How’s that for a confession from someone others have been extolling lately because of her faith in hard situations. It’s a battle folks. I know many people prefer to read my dance and tea type entries---they’re usually more fun to write too. But today the dance that is looming seems to be the old avoiDANCE. I’m not quite out there dancing on my own yet but I have been assuming the “wallfower” position---just not even wanting to get on the floor. That dance floor is slick with reality. I don’t want to stumble. I don’t want the world to rate me and thus rate the Lord because I miss a step. This isn’t “Dancing with the Stars” but I feel as if there’s an entire world out there watching. I don’t want to be relegated to the “So You Think You Can Dance” segment of life either---the cynics jeering and thinking, it wasn’t real after all. It is real---God is always faithful. I’m just the one struggling at the moment. In my head I know I can dance because I know Who has chosen me as His partner. I’m just having some heart difficulties right now.
After tossing in bed with prayers turning every which way but upward (mainly inward), I went to my prayer chair and began to pour out to the Lord. For me, that meant writing a list. I wrote “Dreads and Worries.” The list was long. I looked at it and thought about it and tried to ask the Lord about it and my stomach just churned and I even felt shaky. Finally---I “chose” to fret and stew far too long---I wadded up said list to throw it away. I walked all the way out to the curbside trash (Herbie Curbie, my mother used to call it) and deposited my list very glad our pick-up day is Friday----that’s today. I need instant “pick-up” to keep me from going back and physically retrieving THE list and focusing on it again---maybe even checking off items taken care of. This was a list I really didn’t need to “stew” over any longer.
The hard part was going to be not mentally retrieving the list. That’s were most of my battles are---in my mind. I need to take the good thoughts captive and regard the other thoughts as the enemy seeking to rob me of my joy. First line of defense began as I returned to my prayer chair and opened my grandmother’s Bible to Jeremiah. That’s where my summer connections group will be studying this summer. The first thing I noticed was the tidy 52 chapters----great for a chapter a week study for a year. It’s also home to one of my all time favorite verses, chapter 15, verse 16. Since that deals with eating God’s word, I began to nibble. I didn’t get very far---just chapter one---but that’s all I needed.

I’m not sure how theologically sound my interpretations are but God---did you hear that, But God………met me right where I was and these are words that jumped off the page along with ideas I gleaned from His word----mostly THOTS right now as I Trust Him On This Subject. Jeremiah Chapter 1

• “To whom the word of the Lord came”----my marginalia, 52x that is mentioned—I highlighted 4x in chapter 1, not sure if "came also" counts---that’s a THOT

• “Before formed in womb, I knew you---before born, I consecrated you, I appointed you” (God knows me too and has set me aside---just for a different purpose.)

• “Go where I send, speak what I command” (feel not qualified, He qualifies and provides the message)

• “Put my words in your mouth…..to build and to plant” (His word is power, not mine)

• "Gird up loins….arise….speak all I command. Do not be dismayed before them, lest I dismay you before them.” (I’m typing, I’m typing.)

• “They (my thoughts) will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” (verses 17-19 sound like “fighting” words. I told you it was a battle.)

I can dance! I can dance when I “choose” to join Him in the dance of life, even though the floor is slippery!

I can dance!!