God’s Provision and Protection

 

Photo by Richard Collett 2024

My husband Richard and I are blessed to be able to continue in our dance ministry, in the physically demanding style of Theater Arts Ballroom Dance, which combines elements of ballroom and Latin partnership dancing, ballet and contemporary, with overhead lifts, drops, and other strength moves.

Every day we are able to dance is a gift from God, especially given our ages (Richard is 76 and I am 71) and physical limitations. One of our favorite dance ministry verses is therefore Isaiah 40:31: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

While training for a world competition held in the UK in 2000, Richard was suddenly unable to breathe and was diagnosed with a heart condition, for which recommended treatment included exercise to the extent he was able! We competed successfully just 3 weeks after his heart procedure.

In 2017 I was bedridden with pneumonia for 6 weeks, but gradually improved through gentle exercise, singing, and a return to dancing! Four years ago, Richard was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer but responded well to treatment. We were able to perform 3 weeks after his surgery, even though the doctors had predicted 3 months of recovery! God is good! Praise God that His grace is sufficient, His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and that with Him, all things are possible! (Matthew 19:26).

Recently we were blessed by an opportunity to bring our dance ministry to a new audience, venue, and state. We submitted a video audition to a senior talent competition in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and were selected from many in-person and video auditions to be one of 12 acts performing, including singers, musicians, comedians, and even a magician!

We were the only dancers, performing to a recording of Christian lyrics I wrote and sang to the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel. As it was a full day’s drive to get there, we planned to combine the competition with a mini-vacation and found a reasonably priced AirBnB to rent for several days.

But it seemed that our recreation plans would be foiled by bad weather, as the forecast called for 80% chance of rain and thunderstorms every day we would be there. But thankfully, we had good weather on our trip to Tennessee, no issues with our aging and often ailing vehicle, and light traffic – all answers to specific prayers!.

We were delighted by our accommodations – clean and comfortable, nestled on the side of a hill with privacy, fresh air, and lovely mountain views. Every morning we enjoyed breakfast on the front porch, serenaded by robins, cardinals, mockingbirds, and even a crowing rooster!

As predicted, it rained often while we were there, but never while we were out in it, and we were able to enjoy the many beautiful sights of Chattanooga. Surprisingly, we experienced the unique rock formations and gardens of Rock City with only a few visitors we passed along the trails, rather than the dense crowds we had expected. We had Lookout Mountain practically to ourselves, with its breathtaking views and moving battle monuments.

Again, these were answers to specific prayers. We had almost wondered if it was appropriate to “trouble” God regarding these relatively minor requests, but then remembered the apostle James’ admonition that we have not, because we ask not (James 4:2), and that God delights in giving good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11).

As thankful as we were for these abundant blessings, our main focus was on the ministry aspect of our trip, with many concerns and hopes that God addressed. Safety is always a priority when we dance in a new venue, as the floor surface can be too slippery, or too sticky, which hinders the speed needed to enter and travel in lifts. Spotlights can be disorienting or even blinding during spinning lifts, increasing the risk of a missed connection or even a fall. Musical equipment or other obstacles in the dancing space can pose their own challenges!

But praise God, the stage floor was painted wood, an ideal surface for our dance shoes. The stage was evenly well lit without spotlights, and the dance space was clear! The crew and volunteers were welcoming, helpful and supportive. When we set out on a mission God has appointed to us, He will provide whatever we need to accomplish it, according to His riches in glory! (Philippians 4:19).

The theater was packed out – 650 enthusiastic spectators. As the newly built, spacious theater was on a Baptist academy campus, it was an inspirational setting because the walls in the lobby were filled with metal plaques and engravings of Bible verses about God being the source of our ability (Philippians 4:13) and about glorifying God in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Especially uplifting was an unsigned poem handwritten on a dry erase board by the stage entrance, entitled “A Liturgy Before Taking the Stage.” As I don’t know to whom to attribute it (other than to Holy Spirit inspiration) or how to get permission to post it, I will select only a few lines from this poem of many stanzas:

“What have I to offer here that might sustain the souls of others?…O Christ, as I step onto this stage, meet me amidst the wreckage of my ego and my woundedness, and through me give what I alone cannot.…Take this tiny heap of my talents and my brokenness alike…and meld it to the greater work of Your Spirit [so that] Your grace might somehow be revealed upon this stage in whatever gloried and peculiar patterns You have fashioned me to display. Amen.”

Praise God, He answered that prayer to use what He had given us – our talents and our trials -- to bless others and glorify Him! Many of our competitors were brothers and sisters in Christ who also took that poem to heart, and all were extremely talented. Rehearsal went well, with many of the crew, volunteers and competitors expressing their appreciation for our dancing, my singing, and our message. We often replied “Only by the grace of God!”

The actual performance went better technically and expressively than we have ever danced this piece, and it was one of those rare moments of complete immersion in worship through dance. The crowd applauded at lyrics and at lifts portraying the salvation message. One of the judges, herself a dancer and choreographer seeking to glorify God in this art form, gave us a standing ovation, and another judge said he had goose bumps the whole time!

Praise God, if we delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4) -- in this case, to glorify Him in our performance!

Three of the four judges gave us a perfect score, and we received second place of the 12 competitors selected from preliminary auditions and video submissions. The cash prize of $500 paid for our AirBnB and was an unexpected blessing! In all aspects, God answered our prayers for this ministry opportunity far beyond what we could even imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

The day after the competition, we had a full day of sightseeing then returned to the AirBnB around 5PM. Around 6PM the internet and power went out, and winds began blowing in a circular pattern, making an eerie sound.

“I hope it’s not a tornado,” Richard said. As if on cue, a tree 4 ft. In diameter and 30 ft. long crashed straight across our driveway, only about 5 feet from our car. It pulled down all the power lines, which also blocked the driveway, broke the sturdy chain link fence, and snapped a telephone pole in the neighbor's yard.

Although the storm left as quickly as it had come, and we thanked God for protecting us, my heart sank as I feared we would be stuck there for weeks, with no power and no way to use our car. When a similar tree blocked the road leading to our beach house after Hurricane Ian, it took a full crew about a month to clear the road.

But amazingly, the AirBnB owner showed up with a chain saw. This wizard with a glorified weed whacker had it all cleared out in a couple of hours – just before dark!

Before he started working, Richard asked him if he was sure the power company had cut the electricity to the downed lines, tangled up in the fallen tree branches. “Oh, I’m sure somebody’s reported it by now,” he replied cavalierly, seemingly unphased by the destruction, by the potential danger, or by the herculean task ahead of him. “I’m surprised this tree was the first to go – I always figured it would be the one right over the house!”

We shuddered contemplating that scenario, especially when he told us that two houses had collapsed just a few streets away. Apparently the storm had indeed been a tornado, as the fallen tree was the only damage on our street, and the rest of the neighborhood had been spared except for the two collapsed houses.

The power was out all night, but it was a strangely relaxing experience. We had enough light to read the Bible out loud and then prayed in bed in the dark, giving praise and thanksgiving for God’s deliverance and prayers for all those affected by the storm and for our safe journey home. The open windows offered a cooling breeze and the soothing sounds of rain and light thunder in the distance.

We had so many praises to God for His protection and provision!  Praise Him that the tree didn't fall on our car, or worse yet, on the house! Thank God we were able to get out the next morning and get home safely, again with good weather, no car issues, and light traffic on the way home!. God is so good, all the time! Praise Him for the many prayer warriors at home and in our church family who stood in the gap for us during our journey and facilitated this unique ministry opportunity!

© 2024 Laurie Collett

Photo by Laurie Collett 2024