I'm not exactly sure how (or why) we got started, but a dear friend and I post random videos of people dancing on each other's Facebook page. The more outrageous, the better. Little kids. Old people. Once in a while people who really can dance but more often not. Just regular folks cutting loose. Always guaranteeing a smile or chuckle. And usually showing up when that's exactly what we need. Yesterday, she sent me a video of a guy named Steve (no relation, thank God!) in a black leotard dancing with his two little girls to Beyonce's All The Single Ladies. He was not a trained dancer. He was not someone who should have put on a leotard - ever. Think extra chunky dad bod. But there he was dancing with his daughters, who did not seem to be embarrassed. The music drowned out by laughter. The setting, I read, was a family talent show. It was a hoot. And she sent it yesterday.
Yesterday was hard. Grief was sitting close to me and, as it turns out, to many of my friends. It is a sneaky thing, mourning. You're going along just fine and up it jumps from a blog post or a song or a memory or a date on the calendar and you are struck breathless again with the hurt of it. The re-wounding. The raggedy bandage ripping off of it. Then my friend sent me a ridiculous video. Right there in the middle of the leaking, oozing pain. And I laughed out loud. And it was a relief.
You see, we are not built to bear the heaviness of this world's sorrows non-stop. There must be some release. It is not disrespectful to laugh in the midst of even the most agonizing days. To find joy in the midst of trials. The best advice I received upon the death of my Daddy was this: it is OK to feel relieved. I can't remember who said it to me but it was just what I needed to hear. I felt guilty that I was glad he didn't linger and suffer. The peace came when I gave myself permission to be relieved. Happiness and sadness are comfortable with one another. There will be trials. So there must be dancing.
Confession. We don't dance enough around here. But we did last week. We were bustling around with the kids; cooking, packing, cleaning. Christmas music was playing. White Christmas came on and Hubby and I took a few turns around the den, much to the delight of the little girls. Then we broke off and danced with them. Then we went back to the commotion of the morning. But those few moments of relief were good for my soul and I smile even now recalling them.
Ecclesiastes tells us there's a time-season for everything. If you find yourself in a season of sadness, give yourself permission to experience joy. If you are in a season of gladness, remember those who are struggling and offer compassion. And if you need a reason to laugh, head over to my Facebook page and watch that dancing video. Better yet, put on some music and take a spin. If you are really bad at it, by all means make a video! My friend and I are looking for new material all the time. Selah!
Psalm 30:11-12 King James Version (KJV)
Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing:
thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
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