I have been a pastoral musician now for about twenty-one years. Early on, when I was still learning what that meant, I was called upon quite often to lead music for Mass and for other prayer and retreat experiences. Among the songs I frequently played back then was Carey Landry’s, And The Father Will Dance.
I LOVE that song. I love playing it. I love singing it. I love the energy it would stir up. I especially love the lyrics, particularly those from the refrain, which are paraphrased from Zephaniah 3:17
And the Father will dance as on a day of joy.
He will exult over you and renew you by His love.
And the Father will dance as on a day of joy.
He will exult over you and renew you by His love.
When I was a younger man, it gave me great comfort to know that God delighted in God’s people. To me, it meant that, despite my failings and imperfections, God love for me sometimes manifested itself in an omnipotent jig. As a young person, especially a self-centered one, this was great news.
It hasn’t been until now, though, that I have been able to catch a glimpse of that scripture/song from God’s perspective. As you likely already know, Erin and I have four kids, ranging in ages from 5-13. On occasion, someone will ask us what parenting is like. We tell them the usual things: that parenting is rewarding, exhausting, challenging, life-giving, etc. One of the aspects of parenting that we will also share, and one that we didn’t see coming, is how much fun it is. Our kids have a perspective on life and on the world that is both fascinating and hilarious. We love watching them develop, whether it’s through school or through one of their many extra-curricular activities. Just this week, we saw one kid begin to come out of a schoolwork-related funk, watched another kid play well in a basketball game, cheered on another kid as she won an essay contest, performed her solo well at contest, and earned top honors at a speech meet, and tried to keep up with the youngest kid as he and his preschool visited a local vet. At every stop, I had an occasion to cheer on each kid and get more excited for them than they probably got for themselves.
Our lives are so difficult sometimes that it’s easy to forget the immense love God has for us and how much it pleases God to watch us grow. I’m going to try and remember that the next time I’m tempted to sink into self-pity, thinking what a terrible person I am and what awful things I’ve said and done. God knows I am a healthier person when I’m rid of that sin and self-loathing, and offers the Sacrament of Reconciliation as the way to let those things go. Besides, I’m way more fun serving as a muse for the Holy One’s foxtrot.
-Shannon