First Church of God

Over Christmas we spent time at my parent's house in Missouri.  My Dad's mom...Grandma...was also there at the same time.  She is 90 years old, and counting.  But, you would never know she is 90. She plays scrabble (And is the family scrabble champion!), pass phrase, loves to laugh, is generally overcome with joyful tears on most occasions, and loves the Lord beyond words.  She also loves her grandkids, and great grandkids!  And, we all love her.  She has given us a heritage of strength, love, and faith. 

Caleb and Grandma have a special relationship.  He loves to make her laugh!  And, she enjoys his attempts at humor.  Grandma was standing in the kitchen one night helping with dinner clean up and Caleb decided they needed to dance.  Grandma said she couldn't dance because of her need of a cane.  But, Caleb told her she could just lean on him.  So, Caleb and Grandma performed a dance worthy of "Dancing with the Stars" that night in the kitchen.  (Mind you we were all raised as good Church of God kids and dancing was not something we ever did on a regular basis or at all in the early years, so of course the dance was appropriate in every way!)  We all laughed until we cried.  It will forever be a treasured moment!   

My sister recently sent me copies of the pictures she took of "The Dance".  As I looked at them it reminded me of one of my favorite chapters in the book of Psalm.  It is Psalm 97.  Specifically in verse 11 it says, "Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the the upright in heart."  My Grandmother has spent her life in the service of the Lord.  She was a pastor's wife, and has always been involved in church, and never mind the love of just being in the presence of the Lord she has.  The Lord has shed light upon her life, and the joy that spills from her comes from a heart that loves Him with every fiber!  You know, the amazing thing is that she brings joy and light to those she loves, in return.  If joy, and the laughter that comes with it makes you younger, then that night in the kitchen the light was bright...the joy was unmistakeable...and, we all looked a little younger after "The Dance"! 

Take some time and bring joy into the lives of the ones you love.  Remember joy is a gift the Father gives to us, so why not give a little away?  Brighten the day of your family and friends.  Laugh!  Or, maybe tonight you could open up the dance floor in your kitchen!