"Come Dance With Me."

One Saturday evening, my path took me to another little town to get medicine, and since I was close to the Catholic Church, and Mass would soon begin, on an ‘impulse’ I decided to go to Mass. As Mass started, I found that it was a Spanish Mass, but by now after 67 years of attendance, I knew the Mass parts by heart. No problem.

It was during this Mass I found out why I was to be there, for something special started to happen. I kept sensing, or feeling the presence of holiness. Looking around me, I noticed a seminarian or deacon in the pew in front of me and thought –okay he must be an holy annointed man of God.

But during the Offertory, as the Spanish choir sang, the Presence became stronger and I knew it was Mary’s presence I sensed. I have been blessed with this happening to me in the past. With eyes closed, I see a blue shadow in front of me, and my whole body is filled with peace, along with a tightening of lower abdomen, like someone having contractions. I can’t even remember when her visits started—while praying the rosary, when I was at Medjugore, Bethania, Lourdes, at Mass at the Mercy of God Prayer Center in Austin, but always she comes when others are gathered in faith and prayer. When she comes, there is usually a message. Sometimes just for me, sometimes to be shared. That day the message was simple and much needed as I had been too busy AGAIN, and overwhelmed with life.

As the music played—I heard within my heart—“come and dance with me my child.”

In my mind, I did just that, as I envisioned us holding hands and dancing—but my heart spoke the words. “I don’t feel like a child, Mary, I feel like an old grandmother.” “Well there is the problem,” she said to my heart, “you are thinking too much like an old worn out person.”

My smile covered my face as I knew what a gift she was giving me—Time to get rid of stinking thinking and change my attitude, my heart and start again to see with eyes of faith and enjoy God’s presence in all that is around me. I was at Mass---you cannot get any closer to God than this. He is present in the air your breathe, but He also is present in the Bread I would soon receive!! Time to come and dance with Him, like a child whose heart is empty of worry, and care because Daddy is here, and if I let Him---He will take care of all my needs, my family and my life. I surrender all to you Daddy and Momma, and with arms reaching up, in my mind’s eye—we danced.

Later as the Mass ended, the priest made the comment—that “today for the first time a very large painting of our Lady of Guadalupe was hanging high on the right side of the Church.” Turning to look at the painting of Mary, I thought ‘well, no wonder you showed up, Mary—you are so loved here.’

When I shared Mary’s visit and message with the priest later, he said he wanted to share with all, for we all needed to remember not to become bogged down with our negative attitudes, and how much God and Mary wait for us to come, and they want to help us if we let them.

So, "come and dance with Me my child."