And David danced before the Lord with all his might, clad in a linen ephod [a priest’s upper garment].--2 Samuel 6:14, AMPC

When I was little girl, one of my favorite stories was the one of the 12 dancing princesses. Every night, they would be put to bed, and every morning, they would need new shoes. 

This was a mystery to the king and his stewards, until one wise man disguised himself in a cloak that made him invisible. He hid in the room of the princesses and discovered that, right after their keeper left, they would enter a secret door in the wall, travel by boat across the water, and dance all night with princes in another kingdom. 'They would return just before dawn, and be found in their beds--with their slippers worn out.

So that was my favorite story, and I liked dancing. My mother was part of the inspiration for that.

My mom--a very creative person, and a great kids' leader and party hostess--would throw great celebrations for me. She'd invite lots of kids, throw a feast on the table (including with her very lovely cakes that she decorated herself!), push back the furniture, and we'd dance to silly songs. It was fun! 

Having been trained on the piano, I really liked music, and especially something with a good beat. In sixth grade, I worked with a few girls in my class to choreograph moves to a rock song, for the school "Gong Show."  It was a bit scary, but fun, and I think we won second place!

I never took dance lessons, 'till I was in my late 40s. But I've danced all my life, mostly at home, and some with my beloved husband in the living room. 

A couple years ago, I had just returned home from church--where I'd rejoiced exuberantly in the Holy Spirit, and was led to dance like David with all my might at the altar--I was looking at my boots and thinking, "Wow, these heels are high! But I danced in them just fine!" 

(Of course, I was fully and modestly clothed. In fact, I wore a long skirt and jacket.  Also, our pastor jokes that, if we do praise and worship right, we don't have to work out! The way I dance is usually a work out, for sure, but it's the LORD Who energizes me!)

The ever-present, all-knowing, dynamite Holy Spirit immediately said in my heart, "They're all dancin' shoes!" 

(Now, this is the same Holy Spirit that, while I was just walking down the hall one day, spoke up and said suddenly, "I'm always ready to party!" Hallelujah! Our God is the coolest!)

Yes, I'd danced many times at church, often at the urging of the worship leader, but sometimes at the back of the church, when everyone else was sitting down--just because I was so grateful at all the LORD has done!

You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,--Psalm 30:11, AMPC

My dancing at church--which includes sign language that I learned years ago to focus on the LORD and draw close to Him during an extremely tumultuous time in my life--was a reflection of what I have done for a couple decades, and continue to do at home: dance!

Yes, as my darling husband of 16 years has started to discover, many times when he would leave to go early to serve at church, or do errands, or such, I would immediately turn up the praise and worship music, and start dancing and praising and praying at the top of my lungs.

Sometimes, it most likely has bothered the neighbors. 

I know for sure it has bothered the demons!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

To be fair, let me say that, although I was dancing to the LORD before I took a year-long online class on worship dance, there was an anointing imparted to me during that course and especially at the conference, when I had no scripted dance, but when I just abandoned myself to the LORD, and He took over and it was glorious! I was the one who danced last, and the whole crowd was into it!

He and His Word were glorified, and that is the point! 

So my dancing went to a new level! 

Gradually, of course, I started revealing to my husband just how much dancing and praising and praying I have done (instead of housework, although the LORD works it out so all that gets done, too!) while he was away. 

Now, he doesn't mind. Now, he realizes the importance of it. Now, he celebrates it, at church and at home. 

Even if he didn't, I wouldn't stop. As I have learned, there is great power in the dance of praise to the LORD--especially when things are rough. Also, neither my husband nor any other will be standing before the LORD when I go to Heaven. 

So I make no excuses for my dancing. Actually, praise the LORD, many have told me that the dancing and sign I do has inspired them. Praise God! As long as they are thinking of Him and not me, my mission has been accomplished. 

If the world can move in stupid gyrations to soul-disturbing sounds, or even show off their bodies and athletic skills in choreographed moves, how much more does the dance belong to us people of God? After all, Elohim, the Creator, ordained it! 

So now, let's rejoice that the LORD has redeemed us from the hand of our enemy that was too strong for us. He has lifted us up out of the pit and set us on the Rock of Jesus, the Christ, our Savior and LORD! 

Dancing to the glory of God is right in His sight. So let's dance! 

But his older son was in the field; and as he returned and came near the house, he heard music and dancing.--Luke 15:25, AMPC

Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. They lift Him up in books (P.O.W.E.R. Girl!; LEGACY; Visions of the King; Your Holy Health; more); presentations; service in church, community, and the world; and via the "River Rain Creative" (309 videos) and "POWERLight Learning" You Tube channels.