This week's unseasonably cool weather was a blessing as we traveled 1300 miles from Colorado to Michigan without air conditioning on Monday. The continued chill now gives me cause to eye the wood stove. But I can't bring myself to start an indoor fire in June.
Days like these in spring or autumn bring me to stir the coals in search of a glowing flicker of the previous night's fire. I don't want to clean out the whole stove and start a big fire. I just need a few embers to ignite enough flame to take the chill off—not unlike other situations in life which sometimes need just a flicker of light.
I asked all of you for prayer last week before I attempted to contact my brother John. Previous phone calls to him have gone unanswered and voice mails unreturned, so I planned to catch him unannounced at his local haunt while I visited Colorado. My only expectation was to convey my love. I was disappointed when he failed to show up.
Encouraged by a friend's persuasion, I mustered the courage to phone John. He answered. I told him of my attempt to contact him because I love and miss him. He told me why I shouldn't bother and hung up.
I contented myself with the knowledge that he'd indeed heard my expression of love, grateful to the Lord for that opportunity. But God wasn't done for the day. A few moments later, John called me back.
He talked. I listened. He told me he has another family now, I shouldn't try to reconcile him to our family, and he didn't plan to talk to me again. I said my call wasn't to attempt reconciliation, but only so he'd know of my love for him. He heard that no matter what he says or does, he'll always be my brother, and I'll always love him. The second call ended with quiet good-byes.
My deep gratitude goes to all the people who prayed. The Lord is gracious to answer those prayers and provide a flicker of hope that my brother and I might speak again.
There are other times when it would be easier not to search for any flicker. It seems less painful to allow hope to die rather than face disappointment. But this incorrigible optimist really can't help herself. I'll embrace whatever pain comes mingled with a flicker of hope that holds promise of joy.
Last week provided yet another bittersweet flicker of light. Saturday morning I attended worship with the Messianic congregation I consider my home away from home. Worship is already plenty emotional for me, and I usually can’t make it through singing without something between moist eyes and tears streaming down my cheeks. Watching Messianic dancers worship is sure to get me.
I'll rabbit trail here to share something of myself not well known. (Numerous other bloggers have been doing so this week, so I suppose I'm in good company.) I first observed worship dance some fifteen or so years ago. One of the deepest longings of my heart ever since has been to worship the Lord in corporate dance. A few times a door cracked open, providing a flicker of hope that I might. So far, the Lord has not fully opened that door. I content myself with the prayer, "Lord, please put me on heaven's dance team. I'll wait."
Back to last Saturday. The shofar had hardly sounded, the music barely started, when the worship leader’s words went straight to my heart from God. And then the dance began. So did my inevitable tears.
And something different happened this time. When the string of dancers passed me, I held out a hand. It was immediately grasped and I was pulled into their midst (though I’d not practiced with them and was unfamiliar with their choreography). So I lifted my worship and praise in dance, heart's love for God compensating for less than perfect execution.
In the dance, a flicker of heaven's light and joy blazed brightly for a few moments. That small blaze was enough to keep alive a flicker of hope—a flicker which must be enough for now.
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Blog Archive
-
▼
2009
(369)
-
▼
June
(29)
- 500
- Surrender
- God's Sovereignty
- Friday Freelance: FRAGRANT
- Life and Death
- Hated by All
- Health and Healing
- Good Gifts
- Nothing Too Great or Too Wonderful
- Know the Lord
- Friday Freelance: FAVOR
- The Ends of the Earth
- New Creation
- Everlasting God, Everlasting Love
- Flame of Yah
- Restored Vessels
- WHATEVER, Part II
- Friday Freelance: FLICKER
- Our Righteousness
- Free Indeed
- You May Prophesy
- Belong to Christ
- Remember the Sabbath
- Joy and Rejoicing of My Heart
- Friday Freelance: FITNESS
- Unforgivable Sin
- WHATEVER
- Foolish
- Times of Refreshing
-
▼
June
(29)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Bless you my precious sister. Dance, keep dancing for Him always. I love you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Lord answered your prayer to praise him in dance! I'll still lift your brother in prayer.
ReplyDeleteAh, Anne, your words and pure heart for the Lord is a balm to my soul this morning. I wish I could have been there to share that glorious moment of dancing with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your heartbreak concerning your brother, but grateful that you were allowed quiet goodbyes with him.
May God bless you richly today and warm you from the inside-out. I'm wishing you a sunshiny day.
Dancing for the Lord, YES! :D
ReplyDeleteAnne, as I read about the account with your brother I tear up. I have a sibling relationship that sounds similar and my heart goes out to you. I respect you so much for wanting simply to express love. Beautiful!!!
~ Wendy
Oh Anne, I'm glad you were able to at least communicate with John, and you never know what may come out of it. Peace, I hope, at least for you.
ReplyDeleteI love to think of you dancing :-) A small taste of heaven...
I am moved to tears by this: That you held out your hand, someone took hold and you DANCED! Oh, to dance before the Lord like that! Reminds me David. ...
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, Anne, I am praying for your brother. I blogged today about a recommitment to praying for those I promised to pray for. I had been getting pretty lazy at praying.... I can say this with assurance: I'm praying for you and John. You were the first entries in my prayer journal this morning.
I just had to come back to let you know I love you too!
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I am so happy for you that you held out your hand...that you risked something and found yourself lost in Him. As I get older I try far more often to follow that flicker. Spiritually this has been so rewarding.
ReplyDeleteI have a daughter all but lost to me, so the story of your brother hit close. SHe still speaks to me and hugs me close but I am not able to influence her life. My voice is no longer welcome in her ear. Her choices are so unwise and she has reaped such long term results by leaning on her own understanding.
I too look for the flicker. And like you, embrace it even for the few moments it blazes within.
What wonderful comments today! *sigh*
ReplyDeleteDenise, you can be sure the dance will never cease.
T. Anne, thanks for the continued prayer. I won't allow my spark of hope for John to die.
Gwen, you of all people know you'll be with me to dance soon. Autumn is coming, and those little girls will teach us a thing or two.
Wendy, I pray that you will also have opportunity to simply express love. It is the greatest and most powerful of all things we can share.
Amy, I am at peace. Will you join me on that dance team in heaven?
Jennifer, I wasn't even thinking of David as I danced, or as I wrote this. But I do have plenty more to write about David's dancing, even if it isn't published. It's my current WIP.
Wendy, you can come back and say you love me as often as you like. More love backatcha!
girlinaglasshouse, when she stops listening to everything else, just give your daughter love. I do pray right now that you'll hold your own flicker of hope for her, and be willing to risk holding out your hand to her when the right moment comes.