*One of the biggest ways I connect with God is through writing stories. I imagine scenes and interactions with Him that do not happen in the physical realm, but that happen in the spiritual realm because He is just as present with me in my thoughts as He is in my actions. I have wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned from the Lord through my creative writing. I’m going to call these little pieces of the story of my life “The Lion and His Girl”, because I’m in love with Narnia, and it’s been how I view the Lord, and how He views me. So, if any of my blogs are under this category, then know it is a spiritual piece of writing about my interactions with God and the things I have learned from being in His presence.
I’ve thought a lot about marriage while I’ve been on the field- preparing for it, looking forward to it, praying for it. So without further adieu, here is what the Lord has taught me about it in my story “And We Dance”.
She took her shoes off before entering into the throne room like she always did. On this particular day, she had been out running on the dark green rolling hills, and had stepped into mud. She reasoned that mud caked onto the beautiful brown wood floors would be pretty tacky. She also loved to feel the warmth of the floor soak into her feet, as the sun streamed in from the windows all around the room.
And lastly, sliding on the glossed floor in her socks was one of her favorite things to do- all the way up to the bottom of His throne.
Leaving her shoes tossed aside in the corner, she busted the door open, and stepped onto the red carpet laid out all the way to His seat. With a light chuckle to herself, she jumped once to the right, backed up to the wall, got a running start, and then went for the slide, releasing a giggle that echoed against the large brick walls and high chandelier-ed ceilings.
The King’s pure laughter echoed back louder, as she came to an abrupt stop before His throne.
“I slicked the floors especially for you because I knew you’d be coming to see me soon.” He said when He caught His breath back.
“Why, I do believe that’s the best slide I’ve ever had,” she said, dropping a light curtesy before looking up into His adoring eyes.
Grinning , He gave her a gentle wave with His hand, and she climbed the three steps to His chair. When she reached His knee, she put both her hands on top of it, and rested her chin on them, looking up into His beautiful face. With the back of His hand, He gently brushed her cheek.
“Do you need anything, my daughter?” Her green eyes sparkled. Of course He knew why she was here, but He always let her pretend like everything she said was His first time hearing it.
“The ball, my King, is coming up, and I’d like to practice my moves. I mean, I’ve got the slide down pretty well,” both chuckled, “but I need to learn how to waltz. Will you teach me?”
Immediately, He reached for the crown, picking it up from His brown moppy hair and setting it in His seat as He stood.
“What are we waiting for?” He looked at her and winked. She grabbed His hand and He squeezed. Together, they rolled the red carpet up, and pushed it to the edge of the room.
“Okay, now stand right here.” He placed her in the center of the room as the music began to play. “Hold my hand like this, and put your other hand on my shoulder. Nice work. Now, just follow my steps.” Around the room, He led her, correcting her missteps gently until she knew exactly how to follow and anticipate His next movement.
And for a while they danced in silence. She kept her gaze fixed on His, as she let the music seep into her soul.
“When my faith gets tired and my hope seems lost,
you spin me round and around and remind me of that song,
the one you wrote for me.
And we dance.
And I will lock eyes with the One who’s ransomed me,
the One who gave me joy for morning.”
He pulled her into His chest, and she leaned her head against His shoulder.
“Do me a favor?” He whispered.
“Anything, Father.”
“When we’re at the ball, it will be tempting to try to dance with every available man there. I mean, I have made some pretty good lookers…” He smiled, but she was trying to anticipate His next words and the joke was lost on her. “But my daughter, some of them aren’t ready. They haven’t quite learned the steps yet. And if you dance with them, they’ll step on your toes, they’ll make their own moves that you won’t understand or know how to follow, and ultimately, they’ll leave you without a partner, standing all alone, because they aren’t ready.”
She nodded against His chest.
“But if you trust me,” He whispered softly into her ear, “and you stay dancing with me, I’ll never leave you standing alone. And I’ll let the right guy cut in when the time is right, who will never leave you without a partner, who will lead with quiet confidence, and who will treat you with gentleness like the princess you are. Okay?”
She pulled her head off His shoulder to look up into His eyes. She was surprised to see they were full of tears.
“The wait may seem long, my girl, but it will be worth it, I promise.”
She nodded earnestly, and He smiled softly. She leaned her head back on His shoulder, full of trust and excitement for all that He had in store.
The song ended.
But they didn’t stop.
