Dancing as a Family

s my family shelters at home some things have not changed. We still argue about who should do the dishes - only there are more to do. We are constantly out of milk. And the dog begs for treats all day long. One major change has occurred, we have been dancing. I don’t mean turn on Beyonce or Journey and free dance. I mean choreographed routines. Yes it is true, and don’t ask, I am not including any videos here. Bethany and Mabel are the leaders of course, but the stand out performance is consistently Chad.

To celebrate Easter with extended family, my sister arranged a talent show over Zoom. Our entry was a choreographed comedic dance routine to a medley of four songs: I Will Survive, Billy Jean, River Dance, and concluding with a Rick Roll (Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley.) Just take a moment to recall all the songs, this collection will put a smile on your face.

Producing a 5 minute routine took hours. First, we tested several ideas that got cut, then it took over an hour to choreograph and finally there was rehearsal time. We even put painters tape down on the living room floor to block out a stage. Working through the complexity of many decisions to create a routine everyone felt good about was the most impressive part. The endless number of ideas offered in our planning had to be met with careful compromises. Chad and I had to work extra hard to keep up and Bethany and Mabel had to be patient as we learned. We had to become a team.

That is the biggest change in our family during the pandemic, we are learning to be a team. But our little family is not alone, under the weight of much tension, uncertainty and sorrow I see the ingenuity and commitment of team work in our parish community and in the wider world.

During Lent we have abstained from saying Alleluia. At Easter, with the familiar acclamation, ‘Alleluia Christ is risen’; all our songs and prayers with Alleluia return. This little strange word is a holy and wholesome expletive. Among the many other not so wholesome expletives that we are all saying these days, ‘Alleluia’ is the church’s expletive for when we notice the spirit of God acting. I have taken to using it for more domestic moments of gratitude.

“Alleluia – you did the dishes without being asked”.
"Alleluia- I got that dance move down!"
“Alleluia- I got through an entire zoom meeting without being cut off”

But in our world we see more examples of God’s spirit of courage, of service, of kindness in others like:

“Alleluia- for sewers of face masks, for small businesses owners courageously paying employees as long as possible”
“Alleluia for Late Night Comedians filming from home”.
“Alleluia for food suppliers and grocery workers”.
“Alleluia Alleluia for medical personnel, scientists and all those working tirelessly to support others and health of our country and world”.

It is like we are all on a team! Working together with the Spirit of God. May God's grace continue to inspire us in creative ways to support one another as one human family. May God streangthen us that we not tire of doing good. Whenever you notice God’s spirit evident in the human spirit, call out ‘Alleluia’ it will remind you that as challenging as it is at this time, God is acting.

With you on the Journey,
Lisa+