So, we went to a church in Whitehaven tonight with Crossway Worship Band. I always look forward to the opportunity to go into churches that haven't seen multicultural worship and unity. Bringing it for the first time is so exciting! It was a bit weird at first.....years and years of tradition.... sometimes it can squeeze out any opportunity for God to move...to speak to a people He's been longing to touch for ages. So, we go and sit, listen to a bit of hyped up preaching with drum licks and organ wales stirring up "Amen"s and applause. And, I think...."God's not in the hype." Nevertheless, I can tell that the pastor has a good heart, and is so excited to have the band come to celebrate their 53rd anniversary of existence.
And, I want to be respectful...like Paul taught...to eat what is set before you...so as to not offend your host. I've been so spoiled at Crossway, I immediately kick my shoes off, and find myself wondering if that would raise an eyebrow. Well, I couldn't dance in my boots, so off they went. But, I shyly hid my bare socks beneath the pew. I was doing well...paying attention...sitting up straight....trying to act like I was raised in church....being mindful of our host's traditions. My youngest daughter had spent the day with Robin and Doug, and would meet up with me there any moment. So, I'm on my best Baptist behavior, and in bounds "Spiderella" - my cute daughter in her Halloween costume! I totally had forgotten that she had spent the day in that costume, and had nothing else to wear coming from her friend's house. I'm not positive she had shoes on, either. (sigh) As I struggled with feelings of humiliation and fear, I looked at her....there she was....completely free and unabandoned....dancing and worshipping with all her precious heart.....in her Spiderella costume. And I realized....that beautiful doll used to be me....long, long, long ago. Before my heart was crushed and corrupted by drunken men and greedy pimps. Long before then....was a little girl who danced....free and childlike. If I think hard enough....I can remember it....standing on the coffee table with a hair brush as a makeshift microphone and the whole world as my stage.
Where's that verse about the Lord restoring the years that the moths and locusts had eaten? I've had my share of moths and locusts. And, I've also had the great privelage of experiencing the healing of God's love....and finding again those years that the were stolen so long ago. Don't get me wrong....I don't want to turn back the clock....I only have wanted to salvage the good things that were lost. God has brought them back to me - full measure...pressed down and overflowing. Because when I dance with the Lord....for a moment everything and everyone else disappears. And, when I see my daughter dance....it's a pleasure I can't describe. So, the heck with tradition! The heck with proper appearances! Dance, Spiderella! Dance with all your heart! And, may yours never be crushed.
THAT's when I'll say...Amen!