Would I dance for you Jesus?

"I can only imagine

Surrounded by your glory, what will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still

Will I stand in your presence, or to my knees will I fall

Will I sing Alleluia, will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine."

This line has always struck a chord with me, "Will I dance for you Jesus, or in awe of you be still?" I've often sat at Eucharistic Adoration, envisioning how I would greet Jesus in Heaven one day. I danced for many years growing up; it puts a smile on my face to think of dancing for Jesus.

There are references in the Old Testament about dancing for our Lord.

"Let them praise his name in festive dance,

make music with tambourine and lyre." (Psalm 149:3)

Today, Patrick and I went to a different parish - our first time at this church. At mass, we were brave enough to venture away from the "Cry Room," -- the first time since Elijah was about 2 weeks old. Quite frankly, we were both sick of the confined cry room separating us from Jesus with their big glass window. I was feeling like a caged animal at a zoo! Ok, granted my child can act like an animal at the zoo, but how is he to ever learn to handle the outside world if he is behind a wall the entire time? He will never grow and learn how to behave properly during mass if he is separted from Jesus. We took the plunge, and agreed we will only use the cry room for when our children... CRY! What a concept. Although Elijah had some of his usual toddler distractions, such as 2 small tractor toys discovered in the diaper bag, and a little brother who is in his face 24/7, Elijah actually turned to pay attention during parts of the mass!

We were going through the mass and we all began to sing, "Alleluia," just before the Gospel reading. Elijah perked up and began to DANCE! He danced with such excitement, joy, and pure glory. He danced in a way I've never seen him dance before, this dance was pure and from the heart. When the Gospel was over, and we sang "Alleluia" the second time, Elijah danced again! The usher even leaned to me and said, "That's the Holy Spirit!!" I'll admit, I got choked up seeing him dance for Jesus! It reminded me of being pregnant with him. He would be so calm or sleeping before the Gospel, but when the Gospel reading began, he would always wake up and start kicking around!

Watching him dance for Jesus' words today, I rememembered the song "I Can Only Imagine," by MercyMe. I thought to myself, "That's right Elijah Anthony, you dance for Jesus!"

Ahh... a child's faith. It is so pure. This takes Jesus calling the children in Luke 18:16-17, "Jesus however, called the children to himself and said, 'Let the children come to me and do not prevent them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it."

Let us sing and give praise!

"Hallelujah!

Praise God in his holy sanctuary,

give praise in the mightyh dome of heaven.

Give praise for his mighty deeds,

praise him for his great majesty.

Give praise with blasts upon the horn,

praise him with harp and lyre.

Give praise with tambourines and dance,

praise him with flutes and strings.

Give praise with crashing cymbals.

Let everything that has breath give praise to the Lord!

Hallelujah!"

(Psalm 150)