THE DANCE

"The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."  James 5:11B

      This morning, during devotions, I said, "Oh Lord, I thank You for how kind and compassionate You have been to me." An incident from the past came to mind.  A group of ladies from the church I attended were gathered to plan a skit for the upcoming Women's Retreat.  Judy, our leader, was explaining the plot.  As I listened to the proposed scenes concerning teen years I became very sad.

      "We had so much fun going to the proms and sleepovers when I was in high school." remarked Marlene, laughing.  Other ladies were giggling over their experiences, too.  "I can't be in this skit,"  I replied, almost tearfully.  "I was never allowed to go any place while I lived with the Halls."  "You were deprived, Lenore," commented Judy.

      I went home crying because I had never gone to a prom.  I was a prisoner of Mrs. Hall all of my teen years.  Sitting in my bed that night, still feeling sad, I recalled a painful scene from my life at Mrs. Hall's.

      Standing by the front window, I watched the girl who lived in the upstairs apartment leaving for the high school prom with her date.  Stella was a tall, slim girl with auburn hair, which was piled high with curls cascading onto her shoulders. She floated down the steps, lifting the skirt of her pale blue gown slightly so as not to trip, her escort guiding her gently, gazing at her radiant smile.  I heard him say, "Stella, you're so beautiful!  We're going to have a blast tonight."

      "Come away from that window and quit gawking."  barked Mrs. Hall.  I lingered until they got into the waiting car and sped away, happy laughter and music from the radio fading into the night.  "Did you hear me?  I said to come away from the window and wipe that scowl off your face before I slap it off!"

      Thinking about that painful memory, I turned out the light with a prayer, "Dear Jesus, please come and take away the pain of this sad memory."   I drifted into peaceful sleep.

      Suddenly I was awakened by the sound of beautiful music.  I sat up in bed, quite startled and exclaimed, "Where is that music coming from?"  Before me I saw a large room all decorated with banners and balloons proclaiming "Junior Prom." The music, which I can only describe as soft and melodious, like nothing I'd ever heard, continued.  I sat there reveling in the beautiful sound, thinking, this resembles a softly played mandolin I once heard.  Just then I noticed a couple gliding across the dance floor.  Staring intensely, I was astonished to discover I was that girl dressed in a frothy pink formal gown. The man dancing with me was Jesus wearing a tuxedo. He looked at me with loving eyes as we floated across the floor, swaying to the soft haunting melody.

       I exclaimed, "This must be a vision!  Jesus dancing with me!  Wow!  I feel like Cinderella wearing the glass slippers at the Grand Ball--not the little slave girl back at Mrs. Hall's, forever scrubbing and polishing floors."

      After the scene slowly faded away I sat on the bed for the longest time relishing a feeling of joy as tears streamed down my face.  I simply could not quite believe Jesus cared so much about my miserable life at the hands of Mrs. Hall that He would give me this comforting vision.

      The memory of this vision is with me to this day and a warm feeling sweeps over me when I recall how tenderly Jesus held me as we danced.  I'm not sure I well ever comprehend the depth of Jesus' love for me.

      Perhaps some day soon it will reach my heart.