Sometimes You Just Can't Dance

In one of the towns where I served, I had a great friendship with Chris, a Pentecostal preacher. Some folks said we looked alike. Sometimes in the grocery stores, his parishioners would talk to Brother Chris only to discover it was not him.

On occasion, Chris would invite me to his church on Sunday night. Methodist gave up on Sunday evening church years ago. Chris said he loved to hear a good Methodist prayer. I took that as a compliment. A good Methodist prayer is one that is to the point, reverent, relevant, and filled with the hope of God presence--at least in my book. It also is not too long. Methodists do not pray long. My Dad says we are current in our prayer life. Before praying at Dad's house, he would ask you if you were current in your prayer life. He did not want you using his time to catch up!

So one Sunday evening I am in worship at Chris' church. I notice a little lady not too far from me. The lady is dressed up in a little country looking outfit. Minny Pearl or Dale Evans would have been proud to wear this outfit. It had the matching hat and skirt. She was "doodied up" as we would say in North Louisiana.

The lady was a dancer. Now Methodist churches used to not have as many dancers in worship as they do now. Dancing has reappeared in our tradition, at least in some houses of worship. So each song, this little lady would hit the aisle dancing. She was so filled with the Spirit. The joy of God was seen in her dancing.

Until one song was played. Then the dancing stopped. Now the dancing did not stop for the lack of trying. The lady tried time and time again to dance to the song playing. She would take a few steps only to go back to the pew and just stand. Then she would try again only to find herself back at the pew.

You see, there are some songs in life that you just can't dance t0--a broken friendship, hurt feelings that will not be expressed, suffering, loss, loneliness, despair--and the list goes on. Try as we may, the dancing just does not fit the song. The song continues without our dance though

Maybe it is there that we just need a good Methodist prayer. One that is current, reverent, relevant, to the point, and yes, pointing us to the hope of God's presence and power. When you can not dance, you can always pray. You can even use the time to catch up. God is always listening.

Pray for m e as I pray for you.

Jack