Let them praise his name with dancing,
making melody to him with timbrel and lyre!
For the Lord takes pleasure in his people.

Psalms 149:3-4

My name is often misspelled by people who don't know me . One of the most popular misspellings is "Candance." The sad irony of that misspelling is that I can't. Dancing has always been a mystery to me. I can't seem to get my body to cooperate with my brain and get into the rhythm. I even suck at aerobics! I have to face it, I was born without physical grace.

That does not stop me from being a dancing spectator, however. I love to watch people dance, to see them move with grace and skill. While vacationing last week in Louisville, KY I had the chance to go to one of the local gay bars on their country line dancing night. It was a beautiful experience! There were two men in particular who danced wonderfully together. Their movements were in sync, and the looks on their faces spoke of a deep joy in what they were doing together.

As I watched the men dance it struck me just how beautiful these people were together and how natural it looked and felt. Here were two men, who may or may not have been a couple, enjoying one another's presence fully, taking joy in the movement of their bodies, and having a good time. I think it's a sight God delights in, as well. To see God's children dancing, loving, and living their lives in honesty, I believe, creates deep joy for our Heavenly Parent.

Whether they knew it or not, every person dancing in that bar that night gave praise to God through the joyful living of their lives. Even I couldn't resist when asked to dance. Even with my two left feet ... and the infinite patience of my dancing partner ... I praised God and I believe God took pleasure in God's people that night.

Blessings,
Candace