CUSHION OF CALM!

A "Cushion of Calm" prevails before the predicted storm filled with gusts, ball-sized hail and tornadoes hits! 

How special to await it on our front porch with

a devotional book, a new book and a cuppa in my Lake Junaluska mug. The cushion in the chair, for the physical comfort I needed, even included the reminder. 

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS. IT'S ABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN.

In times of storm His sovereignty gives us His strength and peace, aka a "cushion of calm".!

A time of God's peace to rule in our thankful hearts. So we dance.

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.

A CUPPA SERENI-TEA❗️

Last night I saw the sunset looking west out of our great room window. It was the first time to spend the night in our new home. 

This morning looking east from the kitchen window, I was able to sip a cuppa sereni-TEA.  Serene…….even though the weather was drizzly, I knew I was right where the Lord wanted us to be❣️

Morning view looked right across the street to a new neighbor’s home. 

Later she came over to say hi and welcome us to the neighborhood. 

Praises!

NEW DAY DAWNING!

New day, dawning for a new life!

The sun comes up..........

It's a new day dawning....

It's time to sing your song again.......

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me......

Let me be singing when the evening comes.

10,000 REASONS......FOR MY HEART TO FIND!

CLEARING OUT!

What to keep? What to pitch?

Clearing out! Paring down!

Whatever one wants to call it-----it's hard to do!

But God.....in His love and mercy is there. (Ephesians 2:4) In His Word! 

May I never "pare down" my time in His Word,

May the Lord continue to hold my steps to the path He has for me even when I can't see what it is! (Psalm 17:5)

HOPE NEEDED ONCE MORE---TO BEGIN 2024!

Abounding hope, is known in "Dotsyese" as abunDANCE of hope. May I "dance" through 2024 with all joy and peace in every step as I believe!"

A dance allowing me to follow the lead of my partner, the One who is my Living Hope. A dance keeping my eyes on Him and not looking down on my own circumstance of fear.

Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.(Psalm 37:24, NLT) Help me, LORD!

PRAISE POSTURES!

How does one express praise to the Lord?

Is there more that one way?

Positionally? Stand up and praise the LORD your God? (Nehemiah 9:5)

With lifted hands? In your name, I will lift up my hands. (Psalm 63:4) 

O, Clap your hands all people; (Psalm 47:1a)

With voice? Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 63:45)

Volume? Shout to God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 47:1b)

Singing or talking?  Sing to Him. Sing praises to Him. (Psalm 28:5, & 105:1)

In dance? Young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. (Jeremiah 31:13)

A cantate domino calls for praises from God's chosen people as they sing to the LORD a new song. (Psalm 98:1)

In combination?  Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with timbrels and harp. (Psalm 149:3)

No matter your position of choice, continue to praise the LORD and bring glory to His name!

DANCE IS STILL A CHOICE!

Dance can be a divisive topic. Physically. Socially. Spiritually  

Dance has certainly changed physically and socially through the years. 

Some folks can be dismissive of dance as one ages and choose to sit out.

When people think you're too old to learn new tricks (steps)....take a "tap" class or Zumba Gold and show 'em! ) or not!

What about spiritual? Again, choices vary.

Certain congregation participants refuse to clap or raise hands within their sanctuary, regardless of the music that plays---hymns or praise songs. Others dance in the aisles. Not wrong, just different. 

Dancing is mentioned in the Bible and used in the OT as a means of worship. 

Read a few Bible verses and decide for yourself.

In 2 Samuel 6:14, "David dances before the Lord with all his might," an example of surrender to his Maker

"Let them praise his name with dancing..."(Psalm 149:3)

Psalm 150 includes ways of praising the Lord with trumpet, harp, lyre and dance, along with other instruments.

"...there is a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:4)

Lamentations 5:15 illustrates, joy leaving our hearts when dancing has turned to mourning.

When you get the choice to sit it out or dance....DANCE! 

That would be my choice. What's yours?

 

Dance is still a choice....no answer is right or wrong, just different. 

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!

DANCE! DANCE AGAIN!! KEEP ON DANCING!!!

There's a background for this but until I clear the tears from my eyes see what these pics say to you. Having heard from an eulogy of a larger than life type person---full of grace, always ministering to others who had struggled at different times in life but God in his love and mercy had used those stumbles and struggles to comfort others. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) That was worth the pain. Hard times, medical scares, painful times, times of loss are always worth it when one can lead others to Jesus!

I have so stumbled in my own life!

But God has not given up on me. 

Perhaps, I don't need to give up on myself.....with His help!

Maybe that's just enough said.

DANCE! DANCE!! DANCE!!!

Sometimes you just gotta dance!

Even if you're packing 100,000 food parcels? Yep!

Even if you're inside a church gym? Yep.

Is dance ever used in Scripture? Yep!

The young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. 

I will turn their mourning into gladness; 

I will give them comfort and joy instead of gladness. (Jeremiah 31:13)

Get moving. Gird yourself with gladness and DANCE! (Psalm 30:11) *

*This morning I heard Friday is "Happy Dance Day" on K-Love! Believers share God's goodness in their lives.  I say "FRI-YAY" to that.

DANCE RULES

DANCE---these days it doesn't look like there are rules for many dances! Certainly some are more to my taste than others.

In many cultures and in my own life, dance can bring to mind praise and rejoicing. 

Even Steve Gaines, pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church, after mentioning "ain't no quiet side of heaven," (with an amended aside of proper PHD grammar) said in a "whisper",,,,,"even some Baptists might "dance a little" as they worship!" 

Hallelujah! Dance accompanying praise as an expression of worship especially for those with a longing soul for Jesus!

May we give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love....sacrifice thank offerings....with songs of joy. (Psalm 107:21-22).......and maybe even a tapping in our toes!

Regardless of how one expresses their worship, here or across the globe, God is pleased as we honor Him with our praise and rejoicing. Such worship is refreshing!

But God.....delights in us as we worship. 

He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (Psalm 107:9, 21-22)

Fix my heart on my choreographer. He has the "rules" unique to my dance with Him. 

DAFFODIL'S DANCE.....

Daffodil's are dancing......even in the rain.

It must be spring in Tennessee!

God's word says, "Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come..." (Song of Songs 1:11) 

According to Wordsworth some flowers seem to dance. "....daffodils flutter and dance in the breeze....toss their heads in a sprightly dance... 

....and then my heart with pleasures fill and dances with the daffodils!"

FAREWELL TO A FRIEND.....

Farewell.....for now. Too many tears to type at the moment....but I will return when I can fully honor her!! 

I feel as If I have lost a part of myself. 

Tuesday Truths. 24 hours since I heard the news. A roller coaster of emotions. A "walking in fog" of sorts. "Sadness and joy all mixed together" as one of her sons recounted. 

May I not forget truth and become overwhelmed by my sorrow. Sorrow is not the only reality there is. 

God's word in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us that there is a time and a season for everything. Grief is one of those seasons. This time yesterday I began such a season when I learned of Ann's passing.

"A time to keep silent." (Ecclesiastes 3:7) I knew my inner spring would come from solitude. Time with the Lord and in His word. Time to drink it in. 

Joy is hidden in sorrow. (Henri Nouwen, my Bible marginalia) I need to remember truth and not be overwhelmed by my own sorrow. May my sadness be fertile ground for truth of God's ever presence. His strength. His consolation. 

May I not lose sight of the joy of the Lord because I have lost her. God Himself used Ann so many times in my own life to see His goodness. (Psalm 27:13) Today may the LORD loose my sackcloth and clothe me with gladness. Turn my mourning into dancing once again. (Psalm 30:11, paraphrased) 

There is a time to dance. (Ecclesiastes 3:4) This is such a time. 

Lord, I ask You to be my choreographer once again as this unique dance of loss has me stumbling. (Psalm 37:24) I know you hold me because you now hold Ann. She has been a friend who has loved me well at all times. So....I must sing your praise (even if off key) and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever (Psalm 30:12).........for my deep and abiding friendship with Ann.

Annabelle, Mamaw, Mommabelle, Mrs. Martin. 

Ann----my mentor, my Proffitt's shopping guide for funeral attire, my grandson's school supporter, my water aerobics pal, my scrabble hero, my New Year's Eve game winner, my favorite cook, my tea brewer, my sidekick, my travel chum and my dear, dear dog-loving friend for 20+ years!

Thx Ethel, an angel of a caregiver, for this pic!

Oct. 2,  I was with Ann as she had her lunch. (It would be the last "real" conversation I had with her as COVID complications sent her to the hospital in the wee hours the next morning.) 

As she ate her dessert, her fave part of any meal, I told her it was "her" Dotsy behind the mask and when I pulled it back for her peek, she said, "No it's not! It's an angel." I'll take that. 

We all need to be angels for each other. She certainly has been there for me.

A fond farewell to Ann today. Farewell filled with sweet memories knowing she is with the LORD!

IN THE PINK!

The idiom "in the pink" has been a defining term for many seniors  this past year. It was their way of saying, I'm grateful to be alive and well. I am truly in the pink! As Daddy aged, he would say, "I'm grateful for each day the good Lord gives me!"

The chorus of "Alive and Breathing" by Ellie Limebear and Matt Maher 2019 says it well.......and was sung beautifully by Ephie Johnson and the First Evan choir.*

Joy still comes in the morning, hope still walks with the hurting.

If you're still alive and breathing, praise the Lord.

Don't stop dancing and dreaming.

There's still good news worth repeating,

So, lift your hand and keep singing, "Praise the Lord.

May these words put you "in the pink"physically, emotionally & spiritually this rainy, foggy Meditation Monday morning. And for an uplifting treat tonight---glimpse the Harvest Moon before you head to bed.

*  Alive and Breathing--FirstEvan YouTube 9/19/2021

Dancing DANCING AGAIN

To all my prayer warriors & encouragers, I want you to know that I appreciate your prayers, love, wit, puns, Encouragement and concern! I am dancing again but this time it is at Baptist East Hospital ICU room 215! Once again the Lord has turned my mourning into dancing! I am just doing it while I am all wired up—figuratively & literally.

Next test will be at 4:30 PM central standard time.

🥰 & hugs to all! I hope you dance! It’s the life of abunDANCE. I know that for sure!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways  acknowledge Him and He will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

   And......if your name is Dotsy, you can dance all seasons of the year!

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!

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY.

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY! Who knew???? I did, Of course.

 My all-time favorite dance partner was Daddy. From following him while standing on the tops of his shoes to dancing at my 45th class reunion between my cancer surgeries, Daddy led me as only he could.

How I miss those times! How I miss him.

WILTING AWAY

Why is it so easy for good intentions to wilt away right before my eyes? Just like my sunny bright yellow bouquet did yesterday! Wilted & faded right before by eyes---just as my breath has faded this week until breathing treatments began to kick in. 

My energy cuppa is depleted. Do I need a cuppa S-TEA-rength???? 

"For with You is the fountain of life;" (Psalm 37:9a) I need to draw energy and direction from the "Fount" of every blessing. Inhaling deeply comes to mind. Inhaling at much all has been such a physical struggle this last week. 

But God......lead me to an Oswald Chambers quote. "Watch how God will wither up your confidence in natural virtues....and in any power you have, until you  learn to draw your life (my very breath) from the reservoir of life.... of Jesus."(My Utmost For His Highest, 12/30) Then Chambers added, "Thank God if you are going through a drying up experience." So, that's what I'm doing as I hang on to his word, especially in different translations of Psalm 87:7. It's keeping me focused that my strength comes from nothing "natural" or pharmaceutically but only from the Jesus, One True Source.........

And while they dance, people sing: “The source of my life comes from you.” (CEB)All my springs of joy are in you. (NASB)The source of my life springs from Jerusalem! (NLT)
All my springs (my sources of life and joy) are in you. (AMPC)            My fountains are in Thee. (YLT) 

As I was pondering these truths, Hubby came in the door with a perfect focal point from the farmer's market---A sunflower!....

...."not wilted" in any way and had survived last night's hail storm. Note all the seeds of hope in the middle of it!
Sunflower----a happy gift, a gift that symbolizes adoration of the One who created the sun and the sunflower. 

CHOOSE: THE LORD OF THE DANCE AS YOUR PARTNER

CHOOSE: THE LORD OF THE DANCE AS YOUR PARTNER

Thanks to my friend, JH who sent me this picture. 

Dance, then, wherever you may be,
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He.

Some verse of scripture "sing out " to me of dance positions with the Lord of the dance.

Nevertheless I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. (Psalm 73:23)

Even when I stumble in my life dance with Him, His words from Psalm 37:24 comfort me. 
If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand. (NCV)

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. (Psalm 41:13)

Who wouldn't want to dance through life with the One who holds you close and calms your fears.

That's why I choose the "Lord of the Dance" to lead me.