singing and dancing

When our girls were young, about 10 and 8 yrs old, they put on plays for their dad and me on Sunday afternoons. Their favorite was Little Red Riding Hood. They had a small record player (yes, record player) and a 45 record that they'd set it up in the living room and play "Little Red Riding Hood," by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs. Yup. The very ones.

They'd put the record on and then act out the story song in play form. It was fun for them and funny for us. They worked hard getting all their props and Amy was the bossy one who'd direct the whole show and both she and Holly would act out the story. Byron and I would sit and watch their efforts, sometimes over and over again. They worked on their acting skills and their timing. We loved their creativity and diligence in doing it over and over and over again. OK, sometimes we got a little tired but we mostly loved it. We loved it because they gave it their all. They practiced. They set up. They performed. Truth is, it was fun!

By Hollywood or Broadway standards, it wasn't a perfect performance. No Oscars or Tony's given around here. They were regular little girls playing in our regular little home for their regular parents. No stars. No reporters. No limelight. And we loved it! Our girls worked hard on something and gave us the gift of entertainment. It pleased us to watch and accept our girls' gift to us.

So, we're at church tonight and our young people had charge of the service. The lights were turned down lower than normal and the music is mostly different with a little of our familiar stuff with it. I didn't know some of the songs but it's all right because they post the words on the screen and they aren't hard to follow. The lyrics are beautiful and worshiping is easy. One of the young girls played and sang and she did a wonderful job. It was soulful and lovely. Our youth pastor, Pastor Shaun, preached and the message was timely and on target for the whole congregation. The message was about talking to the Lord first and then getting busy about His business. Pastor Shaun stressed that we need to spend more private time with the Lord before we strike out to tame the world and work for Jesus. It was a wise message and one we can all take to heart.

While we were enjoying our young friend's solo I thought about how our girls acted out their story for us and how much we liked it despite its imperfections. I also though about how the Lord must have liked our service tonight. I imagined Him sitting in Heaven in all His glory and perfection, watching His children doing things to please Him, to worship Him. I felt His smile of approval. It doesn't take human perfection to please the Lord. It just isn't going to happen. Nothing in us is perfect yet it pleases Him to receive our worship and praise. When we make ourselves vulnerable to Him, when we let go and open ourselves up, it gives Him joy.

I want to worship the Lord with abandon. I want to sing and dance for only Him. I will never sing like Dolly Parton. I will never dance like the best contestants on DWTS, but I want to bring Him moments of pleasure with whatever talents I have. I want to make Him smile.

Father, You give us so much. Thank you for our opportunities to give back to You. We love you! You're the best!

Suz