with thanks to my Spiritual Journey writer-friends who gather on the first Thursday of each month, and to Chris Margocs for leading today with the theme of “Shall we dance?”
Today my heart dances. Even as I write these words, I am preparing to attend a chapel service in which my firstborn will be honored. He completed a Master of Divinity degree last December and the seminary faculty selects one graduate for the Pastoral Leadership award. My son was chosen.
Today, with the Spiritual Journey theme of Shall we dance, I recall Miriam, the sister of Moses. In Exodus 15:20-21 she led the women in a victory dance, echoing her brother’s song of praise to God for salvation from Pharaoh’s army in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea:
I will sing unto the Lord, for he has
triumphed gloriously;
the horse and his rider he has
thrown into the sea.
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and he has become my salvation;
this is my God, and I will praise him,
my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
(Exodus 15:1-2)
Today I think about the journey my husband and I have made. We’d been married less than two years when we rededicated our lives to God and my husband became a pastor. I was twenty-two; he was twenty-five. So much story to tell…all these years later, I stand in awe of the sustaining hand of God and His wondrous provision, grace, and mercy.
Our son named his firstborn daughter Micah, which means Who is like God? Answer: No one. And our little Micah, age eighteen months, loves nothing better than music and dancing. Except maybe food…
Today is a day of victory and praise for all that God has done, and continues to do, in the life of my family.
Today I dance…
I offer it in the form of a pantoum.
Dance, dance, dance!
Who is like God?
No one. No one.
He is beside you, behind you, before you.
Who is like God?
In the giving and forgiving
He is beside you, behind you, before you.
None of the sacrifices
in the giving and forgiving
of all your beloveds
—none of the sacrifices
can do for you what God has done.
Of all your beloveds
no one, no one
can do for you what God has done—
dance, dance, dance!
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I love your pantoum full of joy at what God has done in your life. Every day I work to find the tiny little joys that make this life so good. Your witness is part of that joy today. Thanks!
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Fran, first of all, congratulations to your son.
Your pantoum is filled with joy and praise for all that God does for us. It reminds us that we are never alone and that is something to celebrate.
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Soooooooo beautiful. Many congratulations on this celebration and all the history that went into it.
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The joy and celebration woven throughout this post and poem brings a smile to my face this morning. Congratulations to your family! I hope the event was well celebrated. And another scriptural reference to dancing…now I’m wondering just how many times “dance” comes up in holy text.
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Fran, congratulations to you and your husband, your son on his Pastoral Leadership award and to his beautiful family too. What a lovely celebration and your verses from Mariam’s song and your pantoum are absolute truth. I love the short sure lines. So beautiful. Thank you.
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Fran: I love this post! Congratulations to you and your son. I can feel your joy and pride, and I celebrate your dance. Your poem is beautiful, just as beautiful as your little Micah. Thank you for filling my heart. Kick up your heels and dance! (I can’t get it together this month, but my heart is with you.)
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Congrats to your family and especially to your son for his award.. What a spiritual journey you’ve had!
Thanks for sharing Miriam’s victory dance and words . Your pantoum is lovely The last stanza calls to mind these words: Give God the glory.
Yes, it’s a glorious time to dance and celebrate for you and yours.
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Fran, there is so much joy in your SJT post. I am sorry that my response comes so late but here I am rejoicing with you. Congratulations to your son. It is a gift from the Lord that he took the spiritual path as did your husband. Micah will grow in the image of the Lord. I think we all wish that our children will be filled with the spirit. Continue to dance during the week with the spring in your heart. (Do you have a short image poem that you would like to offer to my Springsations Gallery?)
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Such a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing all of this joy!
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Your reflection is full of gratitude, Fran – a glimpse into your heart! Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Fran, congratulations to your son! This is a beautiful choice of verse form for the repetition of dancing, sort of like the repeating steps of a dance and the lilt of language – the sway I feel as I read these words. You always have such tender family stories, full of happiness and joy.
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