The Dance

As I opened my eyes, a warm breeze swept over my body. All around me were towering trees, and they almost seemed to speak to me as they waved their branches. I waved in reply.

The ground was covered with a carpet of delicate blossoms in every hue. Spring and summer flowers alike were thriving in the quiet meadow, as well as many flowers that I had never even seen before. The air smelled spicy-sweet, like an exotic flower. It was hauntingly familiar, yet uncommonly lovely.

I was dressed in a gown and robe of the finest silk, my hair loose about my shoulders. My feet were bare, as I always felt they should be, and I stood upon them to take in my surroundings.

I heard a bird whisper to me from a low branch on a nearby blossoming tree. His song was sweet and low, and as I listened, I began to understand what he was saying to me.

"Below," he chanted in a familiar manner, his voice gaining clarity with every repetition. "Below."

As I glanced at my feet, I discovered another garment of silk. Its pastel shade was one that I had never seen before- a marriage of rose and lavender and periwinkle all spun together in one heavenly color.

"Come away."

The moment I heard the whisper, I instinctively knew that the lovely gown was mine, and I slipped into it, amazed by how perfectly it fit.

"Come away," the Voice whispered again, this time with the trees and birds and flowers joining in unison.

As I turned about, I didn't see an opening or a trail that led out of the meadow.

"To where should I go?" I called out, searching for a hidden pathway.

From somewhere beyond the meadow, I heard a quiet rustle. Almost like a breath, a calm breeze began to blow. The trees circled about joyfully and clapped their hands. As they did, they parted and cleared a path. Still full of joy, they bowed low for Whoever it was that was coming.

He was Light. He was all things bright and beautiful as He walked along the path that was being created for Him. I stood still there in the calm of the meadow, hardly able to breathe.

As He approached me, I followed in the footsteps of the trees and bowed low. He laughed and held out His hand, tender and strong, for me to take hold of.

"Come away with Me," He whispered.

I smiled shyly and nodded, knowing that I would follow Him to the ends of the earth. We walked, leaving the meadow and all of its beauty behind us. The trees continued to clap their hands as I felt an overwhelming sense of peace envelope my entire being, beginning with my hand that He held tightly, and spreading over the rest of my body.

His eyes were upon me always, not ever looking away. Even as He led me along the path, He was sure of where we were headed. Somehow it was not difficult for me to look Him in the eye. His eyes were beautiful- a blend of perfect strength and the purest tenderness.

The path widened and eventually opened out to a field that was seemingly endless. As we stepped onto the greenest grass that I had ever seen, its cool blades soft against my bare feet, I heard a melody coming from the hills far off in the distance, sweeping over the land. It was slow, sung in an enchanting tongue.

The music's pace quickened, and He took me in His arms. He didn't say a word, but no words were needed. His gaze was fixed on me, and I felt nothing but sheer joy as He smiled down on me. He spun me about as if I was light as a feather, twirling me in an effortless waltz that was only graceful because of His perfect strength.

The dance left me breathless- not from exertion, but from ecstasy. As the music continued, He stopped for a moment, His gaze still upon me.

"Please don't stop," I whispered, wishing it would never end. His hand still held mine, and His strong arm was still holding my waist.

"I must tell you something," He said tenderly. "Darling, you are more lovely than any human tongue can ever describe. Don't let everything that you're feeling affect you. Think only of Me."

I knew instantly what He spoke of, yet I didn't want those thoughts to enter my mind. Not now. Not ever again.

"Your heart is precious, dearest one, for I am there. Guard it with all that is in you."

I nodded, unable to speak.

"This lift is meant to be a dance with Me. Never let anyone tell you otherwise," He whispered, lifting His hand to wipe a tear from my cheek.

And He spun me away, far across the valley, to the mountains and the hills, where the singing swelled in one glorious crescendo...