It was like a spotlight had been turned on to focus my attention on Center Stage. But I wasn’t attending a dramatic performance, concert, or dance recital. I was just walking from our front door to my car.

Early morning rays of sunlight streamed from the shade-of-blue-I-love sky and landed on the one flower that somehow reappears every summer in the narrow bed at the side of our driveway.  This lone tiger lily bursts through the ivy every year with an orange brilliance that radiates joy for just a few days.

On this day in 2015 it brought God’s message to me in a sort of song and dance (or dance and song) kind of way…

First, as I followed the sunbeams to get a closer look at the lily’s open petals, I thought that the flower’s shape looked like a ballerina dancing on pointe shoes in a tutu.

Of course it does. Don’t you agree? Click to enlarge the photos…you’ll see the tutu and the ballerina’s arms raised in delight. I promise.

Next, it seemed I was being encouraged by God with the words “I hope you dance” as the tune to the Lee Ann Womack’s song played in my memory.

“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder.

You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger.

May you never take one single breath for granted.

God forbid love ever leaves you empty handed.

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean.

Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens.

Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance.

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance,

I hope you dance….I hope you dance.”

You might think that these words were all there was for me in that moment. I kind of did myself. I snapped a quick photo to remember the moment, and headed out for the day.

I drove away humming the tune and taking in His nudging to be true to my sense of childlike wonder and never take life for granted.

Thanks, God. Got it.

But wait, there’s MORE to the story!

Out of the blue a memory popped to mind. My daughter Sara and I were visiting my parents in Tennessee. Spending time with them was a welcome break from single parenting, and Sara loved being the center of attention with the “Grands”. Hiking with Grandpa Barker and baking cookies with Grandmother were some of the favorite times in her 5 year old life.

The ultimate experience, though, was performing for them. Like that time she enlisted me to be her sidekick. I don’t recall how she “just happened” to have packed her hula gear, but take a look for yourself. We were awesome, if I do say so myself…tee hee!

A standing ovation and cheers for an Encore! from the Grands preceded us all going out for ice cream to celebrate our outstanding performance.

Even though my daughter is pushing 40 (sorry to spill the beans, Kiddo) now, it seems that today’s God-connected Moment was encouraging me to keep spending memory-making fun times with her and not just her kids.

To share more time together, just the two of us. To share more of me with her. To let her know how much joy she brings into my life and how proud I am of her courage and going-for-it spirit. To let her know I don’t take having her in my life for granted. 

To keep dancing with wonder and delight through the ups and downs of life and encourage her to do so, too.

Even if it’s not in a tutu or hula skirt.

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So, how are you at following the threads of God’s messages from where you think they end into the rest of the story?

It gets easier with practice…and continues to be more and more fun & fulfilling to capture them! I’m here to support you in deepening your unique connections with God, yourself and your loved ones as you jot and share snippets of your life.

Ready to start uncovering and capturing your stories that matter?

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JOYfully jotting,

Katie

Family PhotoStory Organizer

Mini-Stories Writing Coach

Your Legacy of Memories Mentor

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Energizing & Connecting Families for Generations!