Pages

Friday, October 7, 2011

The Dance of Life



Pastor Roger dancing with his mother in law
"The moment in between what you once were, and who you are now becoming, is where the dance of life really takes place." Barbara de Angelis  I love this quote.  We can come from horrible backgrounds or wonderful backgrounds.  In either case, that's not where we live now.  We can choose to keep going back to those places, reliving them, allowing them to keep hindering us.  Or we can become engaged in the dance of life that is happening now!

We can have power over what we will become in the future by being engaged in the present.  It is great to set goals and to make plans to reach those goals.  But we can't lose sight of our daily story.  If we hurry through the day without making it count then it's like ripping a page out of a book.  The next page makes no sense without the page before it.

I can remember times when I was so busy (in my head) that all of a sudden I would realize one of my children was in the middle of telling me something and I just had a blank stare on my face and had no idea of what they were talking about.  Precious moments that can never be gotten back; times of fellowship that could have meant so much.  Times that I forgot to participate in the dance of life.  Thank goodness there are not a lot of moments missing from my story!

New Year's Eve Dance at Church
When I think about life as a dance, it becomes less of a chore and more of a joy.  I can truly say that the mountains of laundry and the chaotic dinners where everyone was telling about their day, and helping with homework for hours have made for some of my best memories.  I cherish those memories, but now, I'm celebrating a new dance in my life.  Five out of my six children have flown the coop and the last one will be gone before I know it.  So I've got to learn to live and dance this new life.

I am able to spend more time with the hubby and with girlfriends.  I'm able to take walks and long baths and sit by myself and listen to my mom's old albums on her stereo.  I have kids in college, kids having kids, one in high school and my days are full and exciting.  I know that God has a plan for my future but it involves enjoying my present and not mourning my past!

Are you enjoying your dance of life?  Are you trying to hurry and skip to get to the future?  Are you stuck in memories of your past?  Dear One, I hope you remember that whatever your day brings, it's part of your story and you can choose to participate in it, even if it's challenging and hard.  I hope that one day when you look back over your story you won't realize there are pages missing.






From His Lap,

26 comments:

  1. It's easier for a lot of people to push the blame for their poor lifestyle on others. Parents can get a bad rap-you can blame all your current ills on your childhood and thus you have an excuse for the rest of your life. What happened to taking responsibility for your own actions and sucking it up to take the hits that life can certainly bring? It's lovely to hear someone at peace with their life-you are an inspiration to others!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, Tulsa Town! It's so nice when I hear from someone in my own town!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beth,
    Thank you for your kind words. I too, wonder why so many people feel like they can blame their actions on everyone from their past. That's why it's so important to engage in the present. Be present in the present!! I'm so glad you stopped by!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Erin - I think in general I feel I rush from hour to hour and many moments are lost. Need to stop and smell the roses and enjoy the dance. Great post, Erin.
    God bless and have an awesome weekend
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tracy,
    Why do we tend to rush right through life? I hope that you have a nice slow weekend, making each moment count!
    Hugs!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love this. I am trying to be so aware to what I call – “be present in the moment!” Not what happened yesterday or worries about tomorrow. But live and be very present in the moment I am living right now! Dianne

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dianne,
    You bring joy to every moment...nuff said!
    I love you!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  8. I especially loved the part where you said, rushing through the day is like ripping a page out of a book, the next page doesn't make sense...I think it's easier to slow down and enjoy life the older we get.

    I know one of the reasons the Lord saw it would be wise for me to live my life from a wheelchair is so I would HAVE to slow down and enjoy the blessings of each day better!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Becky Jane,
    You are a joy! I know that you take time with your family to make each day special.
    I love you, sister!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is a great quote. Reminded me the story of the dash. I needed to be reminded of this tonight. thanks Erin! I love the blogger community as It is a way God nudges all of us to grow closer to Him.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I used to be stuck in the memories of my past and had many regrets. But...God has helped me so much with that since I became a Christian. Now I have started a new and better dance!! Your blog is always so full of life giving words!

    Blessings to you Erin...Chelle

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jean,
    How are you, sister?? I forgot about the story of the dash! God really does use us to nudge each other, doesn't He?!
    So glad you stopped by.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  13. Chelle,
    Your new dance is better!!! Thank you again for your kind words. They encourage me so much.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Erin,

    Great post! There are way too many times I am ambushed by my own busyness. I often forget that I need to be a good steward of my time, and that always rushing is preventing me from appreciating the day and resting in God's strength. After all these years, I still need to learn to manage my time to please God more, not just others or myself.:)

    Blessings and hugs!
    Denise

    ReplyDelete
  15. Denise,
    Isn't it strange how we go through stages of life where we are aware of this and then the busyness creeps right back in and we forget! Maybe with our blogs, we can all remind each other to make time!
    Hugs and joy to you!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  16. You write so beautifully! I am really enjoying looking around your site and reading your articles. You have such an uplifting and positive view on life and it is so refreshing and encouraging to read. Being proactive in our lives is so important as opposed to just wading through it hoping to get to the next step. It is incredibly fulfilling to actually live the dance.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Andrea,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. I can't tell you how much they mean to me. You just look around all you want to! I'm so glad I have the chance to live the dance! You do too.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a lovely post, Erin. What a fabulous reminder that we have "power over what we will become in the future by being engaged in the present."

    ReplyDelete
  19. Melissa,
    I'm so honored that you stopped by. I'm realizing that truth more and more, everyday!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  20. this post made me cry...happy tears :*)
    it is exactly what i'm trying to focus on right now, more than ever. living in the moment.
    i've always kept going through tough times but i've realize more and more the importance of letting yourself get lost in moments...good or bad.
    i believe that is what helps us get to where we want to be in life.
    thank you, erin...for all that you share and all your sweet words on my blog.
    lots of love,
    maria <3

    ReplyDelete
  21. Maria,
    I'm so glad this blessed you! You are so strong and brave. You have come through a lot and you are so precious!
    Blessings and hugs!
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  22. Dancing the dance of life with the lover of our soul...what could be better than that?! I must admit (and hate to do so) there are far too many missing pages in my past, BUT...PRAISE GOD...since He captured my heart, I have been learning how to slow dance and have been filling my pages to overflowing.

    I love the quote and I loved the words of your heart written here.

    My heart has been blessed! Thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Stacy,
    It's never too late! I'm so glad He's captured your heart. How awesome is that. Your pages will be full and overflowing!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete
  24. Wow!! Beautiful and True!! Is so easy to get weighed down by the past but we must remain here in the present and as you say, in the dance of life.. Absolutely beautiful post.. Definitely hits home for me!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shauna,
    I'm so glad you enjoyed the post! I'm trying to remember to be involved in the dance everyday, so that I don't miss anything!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...