This little note of encouragement has had its fair share of fits and starts this week.
The words I was stringing together just couldn’t get settled on that white sheet of paper on my computer screen. And my cursor blinked, frozen in one place, more often than it moved across the page.
So, I stopped working so hard at it. What do I really want to say this week?
The answer came so quickly that I knew my message needed to shift. So I shifted!
Perhaps this shift is a result of having a blast at my nephew’s wedding this weekend. Laughing and eating and celebrating with my family was a boost of blast-off level encouragement. And we danced. So much. And laughed the whole time.
Perhaps it’s also because Steve and I are moving into a new season with his dear mom, JoAnn. She’s been in the hospital and in transitional care, and at the end of the week we’re bringing her back to her apartment and we will provide 24/7 care for her. The responsibility is daunting, and we are so grateful we can do this. As we make arrangements and decisions on how we can provide the best care as she continues to get stronger, we remind each other that we will need to create moments of rest and fun for us. If you’re a caregiver, you know. It can be all consuming. We are committed to finding a rhythm and balance that brings laughter, fun, re-energizing activities, and naps. Yes. Always naps.
So, when my brain slowed down long enough this morning for me to consider what words I wanted to share, I knew the message below was the right one for today. It’s a chapter from my latest book, “Getting My Ducks in a Row and Other Stories of Faith.”
You may be in a season of great joy. Or a season of change. Bewilderment. Celebration. Worry.
Whatever your landscape looks like, don’t lose the ability to find moments of joy.
We can live in the both/and. Acknowledging the reality of the tough situation while finding the sprinkles of light and gratitude.
So, here you go. I hope you enjoy these words.
Get Out There and Dance!
I stepped when they kicked. Slid when they swirled. Hopped to the left when they went right. It wasn’t pretty, but it was a blast!
It was a weekend retreat with a group of fabulous women. On Saturday night, a few of them spontaneously started line dancing. Let me tell you … they knew what they were doing. They looked good. Not only did they know the steps, but they added the body movements that made them seem very cool. Today’s definition of groovy. They had the special arm moves, spins, shakes and shimmies that were oh, so impressive.
I watched them get started, knowing that I had no clue how to do what they were doing. But I refused to stand on the sideline and watch. I wanted to dance. I didn’t want to watch someone have fun … I wanted to be in on the fun.
What a hoot! Those line dancing women showed up with grace and laughter. I showed up with fear and trembling, which turned into accepting their grace and sharing the laughter.
The next morning at our retreat, our event host and speaker, Sue Lennartson, shared her cancer-battling sister’s message: DANCE. Don’t sit around and wait. Have fun. Move. Live life. TODAY.
Yes. Yes. Yes!
Friend, what if one day you wake up and realize that life is passing you by? You can feel in your soul that there is more life inside you. But playing it safe has gotten comfortable—no fear of messing up or looking silly. But you’re tired of standing on the sidelines and watching the fun because you don’t know the moves. Or you think your thighs are too chunky. (Remember, in an earlier story I told you that I believe jiggly underarms and thighs will one day be a fashion statement!) You didn’t watch the parade. You pulled yourself out of the game early. You believed God was small, and your prayers confirmed that belief.
Dear, dear friend. It’s time to kick some life into your livin’!
Move from sideline-spectator to moment-maker. Don’t wait until life feels settled and ideal. Or until you are good at something, or have it all figured out, or have your “ducks in a row.” Invite moments of laughter and some fun into your world. Pray big prayers and dream big dreams.
Author Sarah Bessey gives us an extra nudge towards living more fully when she shares these words:
“According to a Chinese proverb, ‘when sleeping women wake, mountains move.’… We’re Shalom Sistas: we are waking up, and now we have mountains to move.” [From the forward of a fabulous book, “Shalom Sistas” by Osheta Moore.]
On her wedding day, my friend Sarah placed a sign in the women’s restroom: “You look fabulous. Now get out there and dance!”
Let’s say “Yes!” to everything life has to offer, OK? Let’s not miss a moment. Get into God’s Word and discover how big He really is! Lean in and listen to Him. Follow His lead. He has amazing things planned for you that you can’t even imagine!
“Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air … Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God.” (Philippians 2:14-16 MSG)
Step away from the sidelines.
Move the mountains.
Bring the breath of fresh air.
Get out there and dance!
