A Time to Dance

Everything Has Its Time” is the heading for the third chapter of Ecclesiastes in my NKJV Bible. The words of verses 1–8 cover virtually everything we humans do or accomplish in our lifetimes. These observations of King Solomon are often read at funerals. Pete Seeger put this scripture passage to music.

The song was titled “Turn! Turn! Turn!” It became a hit on the music charts for quite a while during the 1960s. Even now, it is still a much-loved piece of music. As a hired musician, I play piano and organ for two churches on Sundays and volunteer at my own church on Sabbaths. When I can fit it in, I’m a volunteer pianist on the grand piano in the lobby of a nearby hospital. The desk and security personnel enjoy the music. So do the passersby and others who must sit and wait on loved ones undergoing surgery or other medical procedures or are waiting to visit sick friends or relatives in their rooms. Recently, eight family members were waiting to learn the outcome of their family patriarch’s heart surgery. Three children, a boy and two girls, were too young to go upstairs. Everyone listened as I played music especially for children, such as Sunday School songs, nursery rhymes, and folk tunes. When the desk clerk announced that Grandpa’s surgery had gone well, I stopped playing for a moment.

The children had been tapping their toes and clapping their hands before. When they heard the good news, they broke into a spontaneous dance! Their joy was evident as they hopped, skipped, jumped, and twirled.

They were full of the sheer joy of living and thanksgiving.

As they smiled and laughed, everybody there smiled back.

Sometimes, we adults should be more like children.

Life has its share of troubles. But even those times can be interspersed with some beautiful moments. And there is nothing wrong with embracing the joy when we can and showing we have overflowing, thankful hearts!