When Granny Danced

It’s been around twenty years ago… I was a young and dumb father. My oldest, Calysta, was about two years old. As a young family and with a limited budget, I decided that summer to travel, with my in-laws, to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Victoria’s side of the family. The highlight of the trip was visiting Victoria’s grandmother, Granny Lucille.

Granny was the kindest and most loving lady anyone could ever meet. When I began dating Victoria, she came for a visit to South Florida and embraced me the first day she met me. Even with her limited budget, I remember her digging into her purse and giving me cash so I could take Victoria out on our first date to a restaurant. I remember when Calysta was born she came to stay with us for two weeks to help out with the first baby transitions. Every time she was with family it seemed that she enjoyed every waking second. And again, me being young and dumb, I was unable to identify with what drove her.

When we came over to her home in Birmingham, I again noticed the joy in her voice but this time she had a glow about her. She was very, very happy that we were there. It was a special time because her other children and grandchildren were coming over as well.  As family continued to pour in her home, we visited, told stories and laughed. She was busy coming in and out of the kitchen, serving us and making sure we had plenty of her famous chicken and dumplings. I noticed several times throughout our time there, she would stop and just observe us. And then at one moment, while good ole fashioned country music was playing in the background, she came out of kitchen and into the living room and began to dance. I still couldn’t identify with her… I just didn’t understand her joy.

Now as I’m getting older and transitions are occurring in my life, I think I’m beginning to understand. Victoria and I just came back from Seattle where we dropped off our son, Zion. Zion will be training at Pacific Northwest Ballet. And because of his performances, we won’t even get to see him for Christmas! Saying goodbye to Zion was just as painful to us as when we said goodbye to Calysta in Los Angeles. It just doesn’t get any easier! As my house continues to empty, I think I’m beginning to identify with Granny.

Why did Granny dance that day? I believe it’s because for that one special day, her family was at her home. Everyone was together. And there’s nothing like having everyone together! The older one gets, the more this is appreciated.

God feels the same was well. I believe when we’re gathered together for one purpose in His house He also rejoices! When the children are all home in fellowship, He breaks out into a joyful dance! Zephaniah 3:17 says, ”…He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”  The word “rejoice” means to dance – to spin around as under the influence of a violent emotion! And then He takes it further; God will begin to sing over us with joyful songs! He loves when the kids are all at home together!

Yes, after this week, I think both my wife and I will be doing some dancing whenever we’re able to get all the kids back home again! I think now I’m beginning to understand why Granny danced that day! And how is Granny now? Well, I’m betting my bottom dollar that she is dancing with Jesus! I believe she’s waiting with anticipation for her family to be home with her in heaven. Yes, I believe she’s got her dancing shoes on!