I have strange dreams. Sometimes I’m cognizant of them, other times not. This dream is so fresh and vivid – I remember every detail. I dreamed I was in a large hall with lots of people sitting around. It reminded me of our pot luck dinners in the basement of my home church in Wisconsin. Slowly, this spry-looking older man turned to me. It was my Grandpa Sime, whom I had sung hymns to in the hours before he died. My dear, wonderful, witty, slightly raunchy, child-loving, tobacco-chewing Grandpa Sime, but younger, healthier - glowing, in fact.
I threw myself into his arms, sobbing my joy into his now smooth, non-leathery neck. He just held me – for a long time. Then, almost imperceptibly, he began to move with me in his arms. I realized we were dancing, slowly, elegantly, beautifully. All else faded away. It was just Grandpa and me. I heard no music, but we were completely on beat. My tears died in the magic of the moment. Now, Grandpa was not known as a dancer, except for juggling children on his knee in “horsey rides,” and swinging us around in his arms while he sang a little Norwegian ditty. But this same Grandpa guided me as smoothly as Baryshnikov might have. Slowly the dream faded away, but recalling it the next morning brought me again to tears, and, with it, euphoria after experiencing such a magical moment. I had danced with my Grandpa.
I believe I will feel the same way, only exemplified, when I meet my Lord Jesus in heaven. I believe I will sob with joy at seeing his face. He will take me in his arms and gently hold me -my tears will be wiped away. And then we will move, in a heavenly, stately dance. There will be music this time; there will be saints around us, including Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Dad and other loved ones who have gone before. My tears will dry and the euphoria will be greater and for all eternity. I will have danced with Jesus.
“Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.” Jeremiah 31:13
