Having Fun & Cutting Loose

I've never, except in the privacy of our living room, enjoyed dancing. Moving in time with the music just isn't my thing. When we clap our way through a song at church I make a choice: sing or clap; I can't do both at the same time. Either my hands are apart when they should be together or I'm clapping when no one else is. So, you can imagine what my entire body does when it's dancing and it ain't pretty.

Along with my lack of rhythm is my fondness for corners. I love to hide in them and remain unnoticed.

And...in the past I just wasn't sure dancing was something "acceptable" to do. Oh I know the bible says it's ok to dance, and even King David danced before the Lord with all his might; but, that's what I wondered about. Is it ok to dance when you're not dancing to the Lord? When you just want to cut loose and have fun?

Well, a few years ago we attended a wedding and reception I will never forget. I knew most of the people there-they all went to our church. At first I hid in my little corner, not wanting to make a spectacle of myself. But then, suddenly and unexpectedly, a very handsome young man appeared, asking me to dance. Me. How on earth could I turn my son down? I knew in my heart that I would never have that opportunity again. He was an adult with his own life to live, busy, moving on...but for that one moment in time he wanted to dance with his mother.

Needless to say, I practically jumped out of my corner and onto the dance floor. We danced and laughed and I didn't care what people thought. I was going to soak up that moment whether it was "ok" or not.

When that song was over and another began I was once again shocked out of my corner. Another very handsome young man (better known as another son) asked me to dance. Words cannot begin to tell you how I felt when at last all 4 of our sons had asked me to dance and had pulled me out onto the floor, right there in front of all their friends. They weren't embarrassed to be seen dancing with their mom, and they didn't seem to notice my lack of timing. It was just plain fun and they wanted to have fun with me.

The whole evening turned into something magical. I know that's a corny phrase, but for now I can't think of a better word to use. It was an eye opening experience. For a few brief hours I cut loose, had fun, and forgot to be afraid of what others were thinking or whether God was watching and approving or not. I knew He was. For a few brief hours I wasn't narcissistic. I just was.

This will sound corny too, but I wonder if that night was a tiny taste of what our first few hours in heaven will be like? We won't be focused on us anymore. The weight of all that we carry here will be gone. We won't be worried about our bills, our health issues, world events, or the things on our to-do list. We will be focused on Him and freedom, being thankful, having fun and cutting loose.