It turned out that I was only dreaming when I saw the tarantula. In my waking, I kicked into protect and destroy mode and never bothered to check my assumptions. Unfortunately, I stayed up all night – shifting between moments of embarrassment and wondering if there was a real tarantula that ran away. Connie laughed herself to sleep and remains entertained at my mistake.

PS – I would have included a picture of the sock but it smells of wasp spray and had to be destroyed.

It got me to thinking about what I was struggling with lately? I guess it’s ok to “cheat” and ask God to weigh in on the matter. He might just help me too!

So, I got up this morning and for the pure entertainment of seeing my kids squirm, I decided to practice my dancing moves.  The responses were interesting today.

Jon said, “Dad – please, the last time you tried popping and locking you popped and locked your back. ”  Of course, the only one I can turn to for a supportive comment was Connie who said, “Your dance steps were the main reason I married you,” but I did detect a bit of sarcasm in her voice. In my humble evaluation, I thought the dance moves were pretty good given the difficult audience.

Truth is, in life there comes a time when it seems we just stop dancing. What is dancing? It is simply an outward expression of an inward experience. Not just talking about the fox-trot or samba, I’m talking about the way we live. God wants us to live out loud what He is doing within us. It’s the life He has invited us to enjoy.

What has caused you to stop dancing? Not literally, but in a figurative sense. Have you stopped taking the time to have fun, regardless of whose watching, and just enjoy the moment? Caught up in the business of work, careers, raising kids, it’s easy to forget that God has given us this urge to move and laugh. God wants us to experience joy in our moments because He is always in the moment.

You will never wake up and find God in a bad mood. Life in Him is always a dance. Freeing, exhilarating, and carefree; not always so very cautious and careful. So maybe today hasn’t started off the way you planned it. Rewind the tape, bring God into the picture, and dance just as if no one was watching.

dance as though no one is watching you,

love as though you have never been hurt before,

sing as though no one can hear you,

live as though heaven is on earth.  –unknown

Ecclesiastes 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; King James

P.S. Look for me on the next season of Dancing with the Stars… unless of course, they are intimidated by my moves!

Last night flying back I actually had a good flight. Usually when you get the “how was the flight?”, the answer, just so you don’t have to really think would be “it was good.” I’ve decided to give some highs and lows (forgive the pun) of my airline experience purely for entertainment value as well as trying to offer a more detailed answer for anyone who cares… or maybe just because I wanted to do a lighter blog today.

High: No lines at airport

Low: I wore sandals and had to walk on the disease-ridden, fungal-infected floor with my bare-feet through the security scan (Yuck – double Yuck) 

High: Got there early and lots of comfy seats at the gate

Low: Incoming flight was delayed (it was stuck in Tampa due to bad weather)

High: Southwest serves soda and snacks at gate because of delay (WOW!!!)

Low: I really wanted the whole can of Coke

High: Pilot decided to re-route another plane and get us out early so we didn’t have to wait longer

Low: Stuck in the middle of two large-boned people 

High: Crew was slap-happy and poked fun at each other (e.g. Announced – that we should contact the crew member in the back and ask him for lots of things during the flight)

Low: People kept buzzing the flight attendant call button – first five were funny, next fifteen got me irritated

High: Pilot was a woman and flew fast, just like some female drivers I know

Low: Lady next to me spilled wine all over (claimed the ride was too bumpy)

High: Met by my friend at the airport and we got home safely

Low: Due to delay, my kids were already asleep 

High: I’m glad I am home with Connie and my boys 

Low: I miss my mom and siblings already. 

To follow me on Twitter

Yes, these are our boys and we are so very proud of them. Yesterday I finally gave in and let my older son, Joshua, get the haircut he wanted. Yes – that is a pattern on his left side. I cringed at the time, but he sure looks great. Doesn’t he? The younger, Jonathan likes the spiky look. Like every parent, we want to see them enjoy their childhood and really love life.

Our Boys

Things were very different in our time even though that was not that long ago… Spiky hair and/or patterns designed would have been met with much prayer and fasting, followed by Godly discipline (aka licks). But, things are different today. We don’t take ourselves so seriously anymore, but we do make room for their individuality and opinions about what they think is cool. What has more meaning to us is how they are growing and developing within. We are so very grateful to God for our boys and thank Him everyday for them.

Now, they want me to get a design in my hair. With that, I get to have an opinion and the answer is “negative.” I don’t need to emulate bald spots in the name of design; age will eventually make that a reality. In the meantime – I’m keeping every strand and will never give in… So, help me God!