You Changed My Mourning into Dancing

Ps 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12, 13  
"R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me...

"Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me."

This morning, when I got up to read the day's devotional passages, this one jumped out at me: "I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear and did not let my enemies rejoice over me."

Who are "my enemies?" Wasn't my biggest enemy the cancer that invaded Katie's body? Katie wasn't "drawn clear," so neither was I. Since she died, didn't that enemy triumph over her, over me, over us?

Or is my enemy despair, bitterness, hopelessness, selfishness, aimlessness, darkness, lovelessness? If those are my enemies, then God is drawing me clear every day, as long as I choose to walk with Him, and turn to him for help. God, Christ, the Holy Spirit are available to me for help, every day. And to you.

Last night, our family attended a 50th birthday party for a neighbor and friend. It was a big 1960s-themed costume party, held in our town's Norwegian Hall. Zoe went with us. We made scrapbook pages for the honoree. Stories were told, and many photo memories shared; there was fabulous fashion (lots of tall, white go-go boots, psychedelic fabrics, Austin-powers-lookalikes), a buffet, an open bar, a huge cake (complete with a firefighter, in case the many candles got out of control), loud music and dancing.

The birthday girl is in the pink tights and white go-go boots.

David and Zoe.

I got out on the dance floor with friends, and ended up doing a little "jitterbug" with Paul. It's been years since I was flipped in the air and thrown over someone's shoulder, but it happened again last night. I was laughing - a lot. And this morning, I read, "O LORD, be my helper. You changed my mourning into dancing; O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks."

I will always miss Katie; I wish she had been with us last night! But I was blessed to dance and celebrate with friends and family, so this morning, I thank God that he has kept His promise. I pray that you will also find this to be true in your own life.