Grace dances in my temple...

Photo by Bgrace

Grace dances in my temple. I breathed the thought in deeply and let the sight before me and the depth of it's meaning course with the air into all the pockets of my spirit.

Do you ever have those days when you have to pause in awe, to absorb the movements that beckon your inner being to reverence? When the things that are developing in your path have so come into alignment with your heart that you can't doubt for a moment the touch of the Divine in the course of your life? When like a beautifully wrapped package God drenches it all in beauty and infuses it with joy and meaning as if to draw your attention to its preciousness?

Today I received that gift. I saw God's handiwork, covered in His fingerprints.

See, I've felt for some time that God is leading Grace to dance. The only time Grace told me that God spoke to her was when she felt God wanted her to become a dancer. I had been sensing the same thing, and I want to help her to live out that calling. So I've been praying for God to lead us to the right teachers, studio, etc., and that God would help her to learn to worship with her dance. I knew that we wouldn't be staying where we were last year, but I had no idea where she should go. But as of today we know exactly where we're supposed to be. I wish I could explain why I know that I know that I know this is right. I can't, but as I watched the instructor work with her and move her through a serious of steps and exercises and I watched Grace blossom under her care, the reverent awe of God's leading washed over me. And when her instructor came to me and told me that Grace was truly gifted and was very excited to work with her, the tears that threatened to make a spectacle of themselves were not just from pride. They were of gratitude. They were of relief. They were of joy. Because God is caring for the gift He's given her and helping me to be a good steward of it. Because it wasn't all in my head, or just a childhood fantasy of my daughter's. Because when I watch Grace dance it brings me joy and takes my breath away.

Tonight, when Matt and Sarah went to pick up Em from a pool party, Grace and I took Sam for a walk. It was just before dark and fireflies were lighting up the sky. Grace had Sam on his leash and they ran together out into an open field up at the Masonic Homes. She had her hair up in a pony tail and was laughing and playing as Sam dragged her from one direction to the other. She was so unaware of herself, so carefree, so happy dancing with Sam and the fireflies, and so beautiful. As I watched her I tried to etch the vision into my head forever. "I never want to forget this picture," I thought.

We walked around to the open air temple, which is beautifully lit from the ground, and as I approached it there was a sweet somberness to it all. I've traveled so many miles of my journey there. Grace led Sam inside and they played and pranced across the floor. I stood outside watching, waiting to see if the sight would resurrect pain. Quietly I settled into the sweetness. None of the heartache of my journey could erode the joy of the present. God is giving my life so much joy and purpose, meaning and blessing.

Beauty stained the pain.
Why?
Because Grace dances in my temple.