Spin Cycle

My daughter was born with rhythm. From the time she could hold her head up, she would sway, bop, and wave her arms to anything remotely musical. Jackhammer? You bet. The wum-wum-wum of the ceiling fan? Sure. Someone clicking a pen? Yep, that too. It is hilarious to be at a restaurant and look over to see your baby boogying to the beat of a gal clanking her spoon on a bowl as she refills the mashed potatoes at the buffet. As a matter of fact, Kate seems to have an archive of tunes in her mind that she simply nods her head to from time to time.

This morning I had some celtic hymns playing, and Kate was twirling happily, gleefully around the family room. Made me wonder: when was the last time I felt like doing that? Now, I am not an advocate for dancing in church worship services, or even in public for that matter. But I think what was filling Kate’s heart as she frolicked around my computer desk was simply pure joy. “My tummy is full; Mama loves me; I slept well; this music makes me feel happy…life is good.” Perhaps what David felt as he danced before the ark of God—only on baby scale: exult in God’s goodness, His provision, His greatness, His care, His love—and that He loves me.

A two year old little girl is fairly carefree—no bills, no appointments, very little responsibility except picking up her toys and obeying what Mommy says. I, on the other hand, can be care-worn if I allow myself to be. Night before last, I had one of those vigils. You know the kind. The body is weary, but the mind is on the spin cycle. And because the mind is spinning too fast and too long, the spirit is becoming wrinkled—and it is not permanent press. To belabor the laundry illustration, when I pull my spirit out of the spin cycle, it is so badly puckered it needs to be thrown back into the wash to soak through and relax the tightness, twists, and stretches that have been wrung into it (Eph. 5:26-27).

Here is my version of “ALL” detergent for my soul on nights like that:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

My son, let not them [wisdom’s ways] depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. (Prov. 3:5-6, 21-26)

The first two verses were instrumental in my salvation, (I need to do a post soon sharing my testimony in detail with you all), and they have continued to be a theme for my life.

Truth like this unwinds the creases in my soul and spirit. My head no longer swims from all the spinning. I can focus.

Now…where’s that little girl of mine? I think I’ll take a turn or two with her.

Diane Heeney is a stay-at-home mom, who enjoys some freelance writing, blogging, and speaking for ladies’ retreats and functions. She received her BA (Church Ministries) in ‘85 grad from Bob Jones University and went on to serve at BJU as a secretary in the Extension office and later as Director of Girl’s Extension Ministries. Diane and her husband Patrick have helped a number of churches in the past 16 years, and are now assisting the ministry of a growing church in Lander, Wyoming. They have three children: Erin (breathlessly awaiting 13), Michael (all camo, all the time at 9), and Kate (their sweet surprise, now 3 yrs old).