Come, skip with me

I have distinct memories of watching my daughter, Bethany, skipping and prancing and hopping whenever we were out as a family (she was a bit younger!). She wasn't content to simply walk. Her heart was too merry, too full of joy (mixed with a little mischief) to be expressed or contained by standing still or walking in a straight line. What is it about children that happiness and joy is often their normal state of mind? What is it about us as adults that we've lost that and replaced it with a lot of sitting, standing and walking, with minds that contain fear or, worse yet, the numbness of routine (of course our creaking joints might limit our mobility as well). Now, all of our exercise has to have a "purpose". We're walking somewhere because we have to get there for "important" reasons. We exercise so many hours a week because of our health. What ever happened to skipping, prancing and hopping? And whatever happened to hearts that are merry and bubbling over with joy?

Remember, we're still children to our heavenly father...and always will be. Let's strip off the rust of years of adult living from our hearts. Let's anticipate the spring coming, even before it arrives, with fresh minds that are filled with joy. If we can't skip and prance with our bodies, let's do it in our minds, our smiles, our hands and our hearts. Why should kids have all the fun? Let's dance!

Jeremiah 31:12-13

Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion,

to the goodness of the LORD—
For wheat and new wine and oil,
For the young of the flock and the herd;
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden,
And they shall sorrow no more at all.
“ Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance,
And the young men and the old, together;
For I will turn their mourning to joy,
Will comfort them, And make them rejoice rather than sorrow.

blessings,

Rob Smith