cartwheels

This fall, when we got to go to visit Dan and Tracey for Thanksgiving, we had the chance to go to the Thanksgiving service at their church.  It was a beautiful service- filled with singing, Scripture readings, and some soul deepening times to thank God in times of scarcity and in times of abundance.  

At one point, we were singing the song, "I Will Praise Him Still," and Anna was dancing a bit to the song in our pew next to me. While we were singing, she turned to me and said, "Mom, can I do a cartwheel?"  It was clear that there was just so much joy bubbling up in her that she had to do something with it, and a cartwheel seemed to be the best way to express that joy.  I pointed her to the back of the church in the foyer where no one would be distracted or bothered by an 11-year-old's expression of worship. To me, it was a highlight of our Thanksgiving and an image that I hope I will never forget.  It is my prayer that she will always have ways to express her delight and joy and that the world would not squelch it or convince her that she should contain it.  May 2014 be a year filled with many cartwheels.  

Anna spinning another cartwheel on Whidbey Island earlier this month 

When the morning comes on the farthest hill

I will sing His name, I will praise Him, still.

When dark trials come and my heart is filled

With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him, still.

(Chorus)

For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save

From the arms of death, from the deepest grave, 

And He gave us life in His perfect will, 

And by His good grace, I will praise Him, still.

When the morning comes on the farthest hill

I will sing His name, I will praise Him, still.

When dark trials come and my heart is filled

With the weight of doubt, I will praise Him, still.

For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save

From the arms of death, from the deepest grave, 

For the Lord, our God, He is strong to save

From the arms of death, from the deepest grave, 

And He gave us life in His perfect will, 

And by His good grace, I will praise Him, still.

-Fernando Ortega