Do you ever have those days when you are full of bliss when you awaken? Last Saturday was one of those days for me.  This joy actually started the day before as I was able to do some of the things I enjoy most…working in my yard while listening to my favorite group, The Eagles, reading a few chapters in my current book, going out to dinner with good friends and returning home to play board games and share a lot of laughs with them. The best part was learning our grandson who was in a terrible car accident a couple weeks ago is gradually healing from his many injuries and getting stronger. The day was wonderful.  No unexpected chaos, no drama and I didn’t watch the news so it was serene and relaxing.

I went to sleep with peace in my heart, slept like a baby and woke up ready for a new day.  I was so pleased when I got to church the next morning and saw we were ending worship with one of my favorite hymns, “Lord of the Dance”. I have loved this song since the first time I heard it several years ago.  The upbeat tempo and the words that are snappy and clever as they share the story of Jesus’ time on Earth delight me. Being a former Language Arts teacher, I of course am drawn to the symbolism (What Language Arts teacher doesn’t like symbolism?) of “the Dance” representing our lives. The words of the refrain “Dance, then, wherever you may be; I am the Lord of the Dance said he. And I’ll lead you all wherever you may be, and I’ll lead you all in the dance said he” are words inviting us to live our best lives in Christ wherever we currently are, use the gifts we are given to glorify God and allow Him to guide us in the way we should live if we let Him into our hearts.

 I felt even more excitement to see the sanctuary full again, a sure sign of life returning to the pre covid days.  The men leading the congregation in singing “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” filled my heart with gladness and gratitude as we celebrate and honor all those people who have blessed us with their military service. We especially honor those who have lost their lives so we can all live freely in our Memorial Day celebrations tomorrow. The visiting pastor having us say the words, “Yay, God!” during his sermon was uplifting too. As we sang that final song in worship, I looked across the aisle at a man who was singing this song with his whole being.  I was already emotional because of my love of this hymn and its meaning to me, but the passion he displayed in his heartfelt singing brought tears to my eyes and made me experience the joy of this message even more.

What a wonderful day, what a wonderful life and what a wonderful God who loves us unconditionally each and every day and will lead us in the “dance” of life.  All we have to do is seek, knock on the door and ask and it shall be given to us.  Yay, God!

Patty