“Let them praise
His name in dance; strike up the band and make great music.” Psalm 149:3.
I look forward to
Sunday’s and going to church but with kids there are seasons (winter typically)
where I feel like we barely can make it to church due to the constant runny
noses, colds, and illnesses. On these days, I'm thankful to be able to listen to the sermons online. I joked to my husband that we had gone a few weeks
without a sick kid so that meant we were overdue! Upon waking this morning, I went
to help my oldest in the bathroom. She sounded a little congested. But she
typically does in the morning. I had her blow her nose and nothing came out. She
followed me into my room and I told Levi she sounded a little congested and
said I didn’t know if we’d be able to take her to church. I didn’t want to risk
her being at the start of a cold and getting other kids sick. I said we could
go in shifts. One of us could go to the early service and one the later. Lily
piped up and in a very sick (but obviously faking it voice) said, “I’m sick. I
can’t go to church today.” Levi replied, “Maybe we could take her into church
with us.” She immediately jumped for joy, “Yes! Yes! Yes! I want to go to the
adult church with you!” She wasn’t sick but we decided to let her come with us
for the morning worship.
We told her she
could stand and move around during the songs but when the pastor came to talk
she had to be very quiet. As everyone stood and sang Lily got up and started
dancing. We were sitting in the front row so she had quite the audience. But
she wasn’t dancing for anyone. She told me later she was dancing for joy. She
felt joy in her heart and she danced. The song was called, “Did You Feel the
Mountains Tremble,” and one of the lyrics says, “Open up the doors and let the
music play,
Let the streets resound with singing, Songs that bring your hope, Songs that bring your joy, Dancers who dance upon injustice.”
Let the streets resound with singing, Songs that bring your hope, Songs that bring your joy, Dancers who dance upon injustice.”
Lily was holding
nothing back. She was dancing her little heart out and I was moved to tears of
joy watching her. In that moment, I felt the Spirit working through that little
girl and bringing joy to others. As I looked around the room and on stage I saw
smiles, wet eyes, and overall happiness as they watched her dancing for hope, for
joy, for the Lord. Seeing an innocent child with a fresh heart feeling the
world and letting her emotions go was inspiring.
Another verse
goes, “And we can see that God you're moving, A mighty river through the
nations, When young and old return to Jesus, Fling wide your heavenly gates, Prepare
the way of the risen Lord.” God was definitely moving, in that moment, in that
room, through a little girl’s dance.
After the song,
the worship leader asked me what her name was. I told him and he said, “Lily,
you are a beautiful dancer. Never stop dancing.”
I pray that no
matter what this world has in store, and I know there will be pain, heartache,
and suffering, we can turn to Him and never stop dancing.
"Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?"
Hillsong United
Did you feel the mountains tremble?
Did you hear the oceans roar?
When the people rose to sing of
Jesus Christ the risen one
Did you feel the people tremble?
Did you hear the singers roar?
When the lost began to sing of
Jesus Christ the saving one
And we can see that God you're moving
A mighty river through the nations
When young and old return to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord
Open up the doors and let the music play
Let the streets resound with singing
Songs that bring your hope
Songs that bring your joy
Dancers who dance upon injustice
Did you feel the darkness tremble
When all the saints join in one song
And all the streams flow as one river
To wash away our brokenness
And we can see that God you're moving
A time of Jubilee is coming
When young and old will turn to Jesus
Fling wide your heavenly gates
Prepare the way of the risen Lord
If you are looking for a church in the Kent/Covington, WA area I encourage you to check out Faith Church. In April they are adding an evening service as well.
