"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm" Eph 6:13-14a
This week I was able to visit with a friend I have not seen in 39 years. She is from New Zealand and neither she nor I have had the funds to make the trip until now. She came over to dance and to reconnect with old friends.
Dancing is a part of who God made her to be. When I met her, she had been dancing for hmmm maybe 15 years? Add that to 39 and yes... she has been dancing for over fifty years! I wondered what it would be like see her again. Who could have ever dreamed that I would have the opportunity to see her dance again! And what is it like to see an older woman dance? Is dancing only for the young?
I did get the chance to see her dance this week and I was transfixed. She has a gift that transcends time. Oh, I wish I could explain how she calls out to you in her dance and points your face towards the heavens. But she will be the first to tell you that it isn't her. It is her precious Jesus!
Years ago her infectious connection to that Jesus of hers convicted me down to my toes. I had a belief in Jesus. But my jesus was lifeless, silent and in a tiny box I kept on my mantle. Her Jesus was alive and vibrant and He gave her strength and boldness beyond her own. Just watching her and her Jesus, drove me to dispose of mine and whole heartedly embrace hers!
Her Jesus continues to empower her to dance out deep messages of courage, wonder and passion. Even though she has been through two terrible car accidents one that took her mother from her and left her in a coma for many days and one that took most of one knee. She has had two hips replaced and her knee completely restructured. "They said, she could never walk again. God said, "I have called you to dance!"
A woman asked her, after her dance this week, "why do you dance?" Her answer was bold, yet simple. She said, I am a very religious person. Dancing is my way of praying. I can assure you, it is that and much more!
It leaves me asking God, how can I pay it forward?
