There was a time several years ago when God gave me a task to do. I was asked to perform something at The Falls Church (Now Falls Church Anglican) Women's retreat at their Saturday Evening Entertainment. (Some of you know that in a past life I used to Dance. In the past 35 years I have served mostly as a Liturgical Dancer and Choreographer.)

When I prayed about the event, I heard the Lord say that I was to perform an improvisation. Wait a minute Lord, wouldn't a Ballet or Modern piece be better (I am good at those)?? Lord, you know that I have always struggled in Improvisation! Remember, Professor Rosen used to go after me in class, she would embarrass me! Please Lord, not that.

Days turned into weeks, and I was determined to do another type of dance. I moved forward with my own plan. But still I heard the Lord saying loud and clear, "Do an improvisation about staying in my Light." He was calling me to trust him in a few different ways. He would provide the content, choreography and message. I couldn't see it at the time. All I could see was the fact that I was not good at what he was calling me to do, and I was going to be embarrassed. I was thinking only about ME!

So, what did I do? I simply refused to participate. When packing for the retreat, I chose to not bring music or costume. I would just tell them that I was not doing the dance. So I packed the car and got on the road for the short 1.5 hour drive. The whole way there, I felt worse and worse. Finally, I started to cry and ask God why I was feeling so low. He answered so gently, almost a whisper, "Because you are disobeying me."

Well, the waterworks really started then! I wrestled with God the whole car trip. I told God that everyone knew I had danced professionally and they thought I was "good." How could I now do an improvisation?! Besides, nobody even knew what an improvised dance was! When I arrived, I told myself that it was decided, since I had no music or costume. I wouldn't be dancing.

But God, in His perfect plan, had already worked all things out. When I looked at the retreat program, I saw that the Theme of the Weekend was "Staying in the Light of God." Furthermore, there was an open workshop about Improvisation in the Saturday afternoon free time. Finally, it just so happened that the street clothes I had brought for Saturday night was a white pair of loose-fitting pants and a white sweater with pearls sewn all over. But Lord, I don't know what to SAY! "I will tell you what to say," was the response. OK, so now I was not just reluctant, I was actually terrified. I actually felt ill. Thankfully, my roommate and small group were there and agreed to pray for me.

When the time came to get up and dance, I finally felt God's peace. Just open your mouth Lori, the Holy Spirit will take over. I couldn't tell you exactly what I said or what the movement I danced was; and it really doesn't matter. What matters is that even though initially reluctant, I obeyed. What matters is that there were some things that I did or said that resonated with both the retreat speaker and attendees, and they knew God was in our midst. And lastly, and most importantly for me (and maybe you), God met me where I was, spoke to me gently, and had a plan I couldn't see, which was His perfect plan nonetheless.

I felt firsthand that God is trustworthy. He took me through the fire, but supplied all my needs and equipped me for the task He had given me to do. My faith grew so much from that experience. My God is Trustworthy and True.

God bless you!

Lori