The Words of a Mom

I experienced God's care for me this past weekend.

I called my Mom on the phone and we spoke for 30 minutes.  We shared in a life-giving conversation that ended with her encouraging me to continue being who God has called me to be.

God used the words of my Mom to refresh my vision for my life, faith and calling.

She finished by sharing that I needed to stay true to my faith in Jesus Christ and not give in to the pressures to do otherwise.   

I heard God's call through her voice.


We finished our conversation and I then drove to a local gas station.  I got out of the car and I heard the song "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack playing over the gas station speakers.

I stood still.

Why?

11 1/2 years ago, my Mom and I chose that song for the "mother-son dance" at my wedding.  The song has always reminded me of my Mom's voice of love and care.  In addition, the song has always reminded me of my Mom's words of encouragement to move forward by faith. 

As I stood still, I turned my glance to the sky and said, "Thank you God."  

Once again, God showed up, surprised me and shared his grace with me.

Here are the lyrics of the song that God used again to give me courage years ago and yesterday...

"I Hope You Dance"

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder,
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger,
May you never take one single breath for granted,
GOD forbid love ever leave you empty handed,
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance,
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin',
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin',
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter,
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider,
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along,
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone.)

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean,
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens,
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance,
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.

Dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance.
I hope you dance....I hope you dance..
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)

I reread the lyrics after hearing the song at the gas station and they impacted my soul.  The words "When you come close to sellin' out reconsider" specifically caught my attention.

Are you facing a challenge that requires faith to step forward?

Who is building faith into your life?

Who speaks words of courage into your life when you face the pressure to sit it out or give up?


My Mom has always been a God-given source of courage (and truth-telling).

Life is too short to sit it out.
Selling out to the path of least resistance is not an option.
The call is to move forward by faith.

It is time to dance...  Are you with me?

Are you going to dance or sit it out?
Are you going to dance or sell out to the path least resistance?
Are you going to dance...?