The Dance

In many ways it made perfect sense, the way her life had played out.  The old woman glanced up from the tattered old Bible in her lap and she skimmed the pictures on the wall, each representing a different season of her life that God had brought her through.  Lost in reflection, she thought about this dance that she and Jesus had been dancing over the last 80 years.  

It was a beautiful dance, with a master choreographer.  There was no doubt that it had its choppy parts, but looking back at how it all fell together, she saw it as a beautiful piece.  She first accepted Jesus’ invitation to dance as a young, awkward seventh grader.  The sound of His voice echoed through her soul as He called out to her.  It was an invitation she just couldn’t resist.  As he taught her the steps, her moves were flimsy and uncertain.  As she transitioned into a teenager, the music became louder and the crowd surrounding them more obvious.  The noise and distractions of the teenage world pulled her in many directions as others tried to cut in.  She struggled to keep her eyes on her partner and struggled to hear His voice above it all.  

Just as she was tempted to leave the dance floor, the music faded into a soft, melodious love song.  She then found herself in the loving embrace of her True Love, her Savior.  As they swayed softly back and forth, He whispered to her that He was all she would ever need.  She shared her dreams and plans with Him, and He continued to sing His love over her, assuring her that this dance would all be worth it in the end.  It was here that she learned to follow His lead.   

Lost in the wonder of this dance she called life, a certain season caught her attention.  There was a time in which their dance changed tempo frequently. It was harder to perform than any other, yet they had never been so in sync as in this season.  The season was motherhood.  Oftentimes she found herself dancing in the embrace of Jesus to her favorite lullabies.  In quietness and trust she closed her eyes with her head against His chest, and He would sing lullabies from His Word into her heart.  Many times as they rocked side to side to the melodious truths, she would dance with her daughters on her toes, teaching them what it looked like to dance a dance with Jesus.   

She recalled how reluctant she was to dance this dance at first.  She thought it would be easy and natural, but the steps proved to be more complicated than she ever could have imagined.  When she and her husband decided to start a family, they thought it would be unproblematic, and she assumed she would be dancing her way into her happily-ever-after fairy tale.  Learning of health issues that would complicate the matter, she struggled to keep up with the dance that Jesus was leading her through.   It was through this time that Jesus taught her to lean her head upon His chest, close her eyes, and trust Him as He led her.  

She finally got pregnant against all odds, but three months into her pregnancy she lost her first little miracle.  She thought she would never dance again.  This, she thought, was the type of injury that would keep a dancer out for life.  But for Jesus, that was not an option.  He swooped down and lifted her into the cradle position, and danced with her in His arms until her heart was mended enough for her to stand again. As she was held in His arms, His heart beat against her and He revealed Himself to her in astonishing ways.  It was here that He opened her eyes to hope and gave her glimpses of the dance they were about to dance. 

Once she was ready to dance on her own two feet again, he set her down but held her up.  A new little miracle began to grow within her womb.  As she battled fears, doubts and pregnancy complications, Jesus held her close.  She found refuge within His close embrace.  As she learned again to close her eyes and trust Him, He taught her the lullabies that she would soon need to know to dance with her tiny babes.  

At last she welcomed her first child.  The tiny baby grew into a bright, energetic toddler, and as the tempo quickened life resembled a tap dance: fun and upbeat yet rhythmic and synchronized with the steps of Jesus.  

The cadence of the music would again wind down as Jesus pulled her close and prepared her for their next steps.  He used scares and trials, picking her up in lifts and maneuvers, to increase her faith and her capacity to trust Him.  Somehow she became comfortable with those lifts as Jesus would elevate her high into the air, higher than she ever fathomed her faith could take her. She knew that Jesus would never let her fall. Her second daughter was born without a heartbeat, and no oxygen filled those tiny lungs. All those watching gasped in fear, yet Jesus brought victory and the baby was healed.  In fact, after seeing the seamlessness of how Jesus moved through this miracle, some decided that they too would like to dance with Jesus.  

     

After almost losing this child again to an illness that threatened to take her life, Jesus stunned His audience with another amazing move.  After the child was saved, the woman and her family broke out into a celebratory victory dance, with Jesus in the middle as they praised Him for all He had done for them. 

Replaying this dance in her mind filled her with great joy.  The dance was hard, and it seemed choppy. But now looking back at how it all flowed together, it was beautiful. In many ways it made perfect sense. 

Where is God?

Hello friends! I am writing to you today from the beautiful mountains of Gunnison, Colorado. As I sit here on the cabin porch, listening to the rushing waters of the East River, I am reminded of a recent revelation I had. I grew up in these mountains, vacationing to Gunnison once a year and taking frequent weekend trips to our nearest mountain parks. From the time I could remember I have always found great peace in the sounds of rivers and streams. The sound of rushing water as it crashes against the rocks and flows along the river bed is a fascinating and soothing sound.

When I was in 7th grade at FCA Camp, I first met Christ alongside a new stream as fresh run off made it's  way down the mountain. We had just finished our small group time and our group leader had us go around the circle and share one of the ways God reveals Himself to you. Our answers consisted mainly of nature: the clouds, the stars, the river. My answer was the sound of rushing water.

Our 7th grade answers revealed our lack of experience with life.  At the time I thought these answers were so juvenile, but looking back now I think that as adults we get so busy and caught up with life we tend to overlook these simple yet magnificent revelations.  We 7th graders were on to something. We need to slow down and look up once in a while, lest we miss God all together.

After our small group time we were instructed to go away by ourselves and spend time alone with God. I went out on to the deck of our cabin and the familiar sound of rushing waters grabbed my attention. There behind our cabin was a stream that had just begun to makes its way down the mountain as the warm sun beat against the snow after a long, frigid winter.  As I marveled at the sight and sound of it, I knew that God had orchestrated it just for me. This is the moment that marked my life forever as I prayed to ask Jesus into my heart to be my personal Lord and Savior.

Recently, more than 15 years after my mountain top experience with The Lord, I discovered something in our study of the book of Revelation. Revelation 1:15 says "his voice was like the sound of rushing waters."  I had read this many times, but the connection just recently occurred to me. His voice is compared to the sound of rushing waters; the sound that brought me peace throughout my childhood, the sound that called out to me as a 7th grader, prompting me to begin a personal and intimate relationship with Him, and this sound that whispers into my soul at this very moment. That sound is the voice of Jesus.

 I still get goosebumps every time I think about it. Who knew that one simple question, "How does God reveal Himself to you?" could lead to such life changing steps. So I ask you, my friends, how is God revealing Himself to you? I would love to hear from you. Please comment below and share your revelations with us. Maybe your revelation will help somebody else see the fingerprints of God on their life today.  Let's do this together...slow down...look up...and breath Him in. Where is God today?  He's with you and His fingerprints are all over the place. Let's make it a point not to miss Him.

My Sweet, Beautiful Lord, thank you for the beauty that surrounds me right now. Thank you Lord for the intricate detail you put into your creation and for your tender care over all of it.  Father, today I pray for all of us to slow down and take a look at what you are up to. Reveal yourself to us, Lord. Show us your glory! We love you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

When You Just Can't Get Alone

“Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

³² So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. ³³ But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them. ³⁴ Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

35 Late in the afternoon his disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. 36 Send the crowds away so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat.”

37 But Jesus said, “You feed them.”

-Matthew 6:31-37

Jesus knew the value of spending time alone with God.  It was how He drew strength from His Father.  He was as human as his disciples, and He knew they all needed a break.  They needed to be able to go off by themselves to a quiet place to rest.  

Photo by Scott Liddel

It sounds like Jesus would be able to relate to all the mommies of young children who are probably begging for the same thing.  We just need to be able to go off by ourselves for some quiet alone-time once in a while.  We need to get alone with God and draw strength from our Father.  I usually try to do this in the morning when my kids are still asleep.  I purposely get up an hour earlier than what I “have to” just to spend time alone with God.  It is truly what gets me through my day.  It fills me with the strength and joy of the Lord. 

One morning I was feeling especially exhausted.  I was desperate for some time alone with a cup of coffee and my Bible.  Just as I sat down and started reading the Word I was interrupted by a cry from the bedroom.  I glanced up at the clock.  “Seriously? Already?”  I thought begrudgingly.  Then I remembered this passage.  I had a choice: I could be frustrated with my kids for not allowing me to have this time with God, or I could do what Jesus did and have compassion on them.  

Jesus knew well what it was like to never get a second to Himself.  He understood what it was like to not even have a second to eat.  He and his disciples were surely desperate for some time alone, but when they didn’t get it, Jesus told the disciples to feed the people.  So that’s what they did.  They put their own needs aside and served them.  Actually, it was here that Jesus performed one of his biggest miracles and fed 5,000+ with five loaves of bread and two fish.  Could you imagine if Jesus and his disciples would have been selfish and sent the people away?  Everyone there would have missed out on one of Jesus’ biggest miracles.  After they finished serving the people, they were finally able to be alone.  Jesus then when up the hill and prayed by himself.  

Next time you sit down to a cold dinner plate after taking care of everyone else, remember that Jesus knew the feeling.  When you miss out on the time alone that you are so desperate for, remember this story.  You can send your kids away, put the TV on or hide yourself in the bathroom (yes, I admit, I have done it), or you can call on God and ask for a fishes and loaves kind of miracle with your time and energy.  Don’t miss out on what He can do with the little that we have.  He is the God of miracles. You will get your time alone, but don’t miss out on what God wants to do here and now.  And remember, yes, this role as mom is terribly exhausting, overwhelming and just plain hard, but God has equipped you to give those children of yours exactly what they need.  Keep going, dear sisters.  Keep pouring yourself out.  Keep making your time alone with the Lord your priority, and He will fill you up to overflowing so that you can keep pouring His love out to all those around you.    

Oh Lord, Thank you! Thank you for filling us up and for the daily miracles you provide in our lives.  Father, fill us up to overflowing.  Provide loaves and fishes miracles with our time, our energy, and everything we could possibly give of ourselves.  Thank you that you have chosen each one of us specifically for the children you have gifted us with.  I need you, Lord.  Help me to be the mom you have called me to be.  Strengthen me.  Equip me. Empower me. Guide me.  I love you, my Lord.  Amen.

A Godly Woman's Pursuit

“But you [woman] of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith.”

1 Timothy 6:11-12a

A woman of God has different daily goals to pursue than other women.  We don’t chase after controversy or other worldly things, but we are called to pursue righteousness and godliness.  We are to be intentional about our pursuit of faith, love,  and gentleness, and with all these things we shall endure above any obstacle. 

I have no idea what I might face today.  Controversy may arise, or I may find myself in the midst of a sticky situation.  No matter what today brings, as a woman of God, I am to chase after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.  I am called to fight the good fight of faith today, as hard as it may be. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for another day.  I am so blessed by you, Lord.  I have many things on my agenda today and I know it will be a busy day.  I have no idea what obstacles I may face, but please help me keep these instructions at the forefront of my mind and etched in my heart.  By your grace, grant me the strength to live this verse out today and every day, for my main goal is to please you and to bring glory to your name.  I love you, Father.  In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.    

So You Messed Up...Now What?

"Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;
no shadow of shame will darken their faces."
                                                                                         -Psalm 34:5

One time when I was a little girl I had the bright idea to go into the bathroom, climb up onto the sink, and stick a bobby pin into the electrical socket. I have no idea what I was thinking. I don't remember my thought process leading up to the poor decision, but I remember clearly what I was thinking afterwards. The numbness that was shooting up my arm and my blackened finger tips told me that I had done a bad thing. I knew that I shouldn't have done it, and I was afraid of what my mom would do or say when she found out. I was hurt, scared and ashamed.

When I went into the living room where my mom was, I held my burnt fingers tight in my clenched fist behind my back and hung my head. I couldn't even look at her. I tried to hide the remnants of my mistake and did my best to avoid interaction with her, knowing that one look and she would know what I had done.

Now looking back I can see that it was my shady behavior that sold me out in an instant. Mom took one look at me and asked what was wrong. Still afraid to look at her I just shook my head.  Finally, I just led her into the bathroom and pointed to the socket.

Of course, she corrected me and reinforced why this was such a bad idea. But then, like any loving mother would do, she took care of me.   She reassured me that I was still loved even though I had made a bad choice, and she fixed the boo-boo that my mistake had caused.

As adults we can do the same.  We make poor choices and afterwards we see the repercussions and know without a doubt we made the wrong choice. We hang our heads in shame and approach God the same way I approached my mom, afraid to look at Him or even interact with Him because we know He will take one look at us and see what we have done. But the Bible says that those to look to Him for help will be radiant with joy, no shadow of shame will cover their faces. We don't have to hang our heads in shame. We can look to God for help.  He will help us fix our boo-boo, remind us that we are still loved, and the look of radiant joy will return to our once shame-shadowed faces again.

Maybe today you are trying to sort through the repercussions of a poor choice. Perhaps you find yourself walking around with your head hung in shame, avoiding God because of what He might think, say, or do.  Or maybe, after hiding from Him for so long you find your self going back and sticking your finger in that same nasty socket. If any of these describe you, can I first of all tell you, I have been there?  Oh, have I been there. But can I also tell you that you can't overcome it without Him? Jesus paid the price for that sin you are hiding there behind your back. And the truth is, He knows exactly what it is you are hiding. Just show Him. Look to Him for help and He will help you.   Let your Loving  Father fix you up and remind you that you are  loved. Oh how loved you are!