adventure

This evening my 6yo daughter, Tabitha, along with some other girls, tap-danced their little hearts out for Jesus at a local retirement home to a jazzy rendition of the song "Noel". They've been practicing for this most special recital for months, and it was beautiful. A few other dance teams also perfomed, jazz, tap and ballet. I was so blessed by their joyous dance, and the two testimonies that were also given by a couple of the girls.

As I looked around, I could see love and laughter in the faces of the elderly residents we were visiting. How enthusiastically they did clap after each performance came to an end... The songs chosen, along with the talented choreography of our church's inspired Christian dance instructors (one of which - T's teacher - is a fellow homeschooling friend of mine) came together in one powerfully anointed act of worship tonight... Lord, thank you for the talent that these ladies share as they teach our children to dance, as an act of worship, a fragrant offering to you... and tonight, as a light and witness of YOUR NEVERENDING LOVE...

We lingered afterwards, and mingled with the residents, passing out Christmas cards with Scriptures and greeting them in love. An elderly lady, whom I later found out is 99, and has played the piano for 91 years (she used to play/record music for the old silent movies!) began to play "Silent Night", and then "Jingle Bells" on the piano, while an elderly friend of hers sang along with the sweetest voice. We were all standing around the piano just glowing with realization of the history that surrounded us. The Home's Director was practically dancing herself as she bubbled over with happiness in the moment (they REALLY enjoyed the kids!)... As we all joined in, everyone just beamed from ear to ear... Afterwards N and T went up to thank our pianist, and she, so small and precious, was NOT shy! She just grabbed a hold of them so tightly, embracing each of them with all of the warmth and intensity of a long lost Great Grandmother, kissing them each affectionately on the head as she thanked them...

I'm so glad that we had chosen to stay a bit longer, after everyone else had left, and shared this precious moment with these old-timers, allowing my children to get the one-on-one feedback that truly ministered to them... the realization that they had brought JOY to these elderly residents tonight. Yes, they talked on about it as we left. The pianist lady had even told T that she had been her favorite dancer, and she was so glad we'd stayed. T truly blushed.

As we walked outside into the cold night air, I think we all felt warm and blessed on the inside... Truly, my kids gave the gift of their presence tonight, and ministered the love of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus, as they represented Him, and our church. But I see that they also received a most blessed gift in return, one that we could never buy, but do only receive as we make time for purposely reaching out to others in a meaningful way.

Tonight more seeds of respect and love for the elderly, and for ministering to others in His Name, were dropped into my childrens' hearts... I saw it! And they were watered by the thankful tears of joy we saw in the olden eyes of the men and women of many years gone by, and warmed by the sun of their enthusiastic applause and most sincere outstretched hands and hearts... Lord, may these hearts that have seen and known so much more history than have be warmed as they remember this night, knowing that they are precious in Your sight, and somehow be drawn closer to You, as a result of our visiting them. As they close the gap of time between themselves and eternity, may they know You, and the Promises of Redemption that are theirs through Your Son, the Greatest Gift. And may these seeds that You've planted in these childrens' hearts grow into great sheltering trees for Your Kingdom... Tonight is what this Season of Light is all about... Miracles, Your Spirit shining forth from earthen vessels...

**********************************

This last year I have managed to visit a nursing/retirement home (besides the one we visited tonight) a few times with my kids. The director had arranged a time for us to come once a month for a special seasonal activity time, just to visit. She said that the residents are so blessed to have children visit them. We painted with watercolors one time, sitting all around tables with the residents, comparing our pictures and sharing stories from our lives, listening to eachother, and answering lots of questions... They just liked to talk, and so appreciated being visited. It was as if it never even occurred to them that they didn't KNOW us! LOL! It certainly doesn't matter to them anyways... They eagerly made our acquaintance and began the work of getting to know us! My children still fondly talk about that day. N brought it up this evening as we drove to church, before going to the retirement home... This is something I'd like to do more often...