Dancing in the Sand. . .

Draw Me Close ~ Arrangement by Unknown (Piano & Cello Duo)
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A dear friend of mine recently sent me a revised version of the “Footprints” poem. I have always been fond of the original version of this poem because of its powerful and encouraging message. In fact, the original poem was written by Mary Fishback Powers, who was a member of the church that I attended as a little girl. The story of the poem reminds us that regardless of the circumstances that may come into our life, Jesus is always walking with us through it all, if we draw close to Him. I hope, however, you find the following revised copy of the “Footprints Poem: Dancing with Jesus” as inspiring as I did:      

Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together.  For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.  But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns. For a while, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling, His consistently...You and Jesus are walking as true friends!  

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one. This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one. This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place.  Stops.  Starts. Gashes in the sand.  A variable mess of prints.  You are amazed and shocked.  Your dream ends. Now you pray:   “Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You.”

“That is correct.” Jesus replied.

“And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely.” 

“Very good. You have understood everything so far.”

“ When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way.” 

“Precisely.”  

“So, Lord, was there a regression of something ? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first.”

There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.  

“You didn't know? It was then that we danced!”  

~ Author Unknown ~

Dancing with Jesus
Through life's stormy seas,
My steps in His steps
I follow His lead.

Dancing with Jesus,
my life in His hands,
I'll trust Him forever
For He understands.
~ By Bonita ~

In a "Flicker". . .

Still (Hillsong) ~ Arrangement by D. Vichkyothin
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In this world of high tech communications, many of us appear to rely on our communications to be sent and/or received instantaneously in a “flicker.”  However, I have learned that sending communications via email, for example, does not necessarily guarantee an immediate response, although we may often expect this and may even become frustrated that our communications were not answered right away. We begin to question, “Did the recipient receive my message? Why is it taking so long for a response?” 

On the other side of life’s coin, our life, for the most part, seems to be sailing along smoothly when all of a sudden, in a “flicker,” it is turned upside down; perhaps, due to an unexpected loss of a job, a loved one’s passing, or a life-altering change in one’s health. And so, we ask ourselves, “How could this happen? Oh God, why did this have to happen?” In a flicker, our life as we once knew it has been changed forever by an unexpected turn of events. A path we never expected to travel down. Hence, we may ask, “Lord, where is this new path taking me, for I am so afraid?” Consequently, not only “patience”, but prayer truly does become a virtue in one’s life!  

I recall as I was looking out our bedroom window one beautiful spring morning, while admiring the welcoming spring flowers that were displayed in our backyard, that I noticed an unusual looking bird scouting our yard; no doubt looking for insects.  As I did not recall seeing such a handsome looking bird like this before I asked my husband, who is always a wealth of trivia, what this bird might be. After viewing this medium size bird with its black scalloped plumage consisting of black spots, bars and crescents, along with a white rump patch and a triangular red marking on the nape of its neck, my husband informed me that it was a “flicker,” which is a member of the woodpecker family. This gentle looking bird did not seem to have a care in the world; in fact, he was quite enjoying his stroll in our backyard. I could not help but think, however, that its namesake reminded me of how quickly life’s challenges and calamities can change our day-to-day lives forever in just a “flicker.”  

It also made me ponder when we cry out to God in prayer, if we sometimes expect He, too, will answer our prayers in a “flicker.” Hence, when our prayers seem to be unanswered, we may become discouraged, frustrated or weary. Yet, in James 1:6 I am reminded, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” God does not want us to base our faith and trust in Him on storms of emotion that are tossing to and fro, but on His Word and His promises. Like a mother swan who gracefully protects and shields her baby swans, or cygnets, from harm’s way with her beautifully strong and majestic white-feathered wings, God, too, will lovingly place us, “under His wings” so that we can experience His passion, peace and protection in our lives, if we will only trust in Him. Over and over again, I have found great comfort in knowing when I cry out to God during the unexpected storms of life, I will always find strength, solace, shelter, and security “under His wings”.  As I continue to mediate daily with God, my faith grows deeper and stronger, while persevering through the storms of life no matter what ill may befall me. For I have learned, to just be still and trust in Him, I will have peace in my life if I take refuge and hide “under His wings,” regardless of what may happen in a “flicker.”  

"The Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God,
in Him will I trust. . . He shall cover me with His feathers,
and under His wings shall I trust.” (Psalm 91:2, 4)