Three women sat on an old wooden bench talking things over.  All three loved animals and  brought theirs along.  As the women conversed, Collette and Noella's dogs roamed freely about.  Moments later, they started chasing passers-by. 

Complaints about the unruly dogs reached the ranger, so he searched around for their owners.  When he found them, they were asked to restrain their dogs.  Seeing that neither woman had brought along a leash, the  two women and their dogs were sent out of the park.  Flavia then sat alone on the bench with Tippy perched upon her shoulder.

“You’ll never earn a living dancing,” she had been told years earlier; yet there was nothing that she more greatly desired to do.   For hours on end, Flavia had ardently practiced ballroom dancing—learning the intricate steps of the cha-cha, tango, and  foxtrot.  Advancing quickly beyond the fundamentals, she soon went freestyle. 

Next, she became a jazz enthusiast, blending all of her dance moves into one gracefully flexible package.  Then ballet came along with its elegant, poised expression of emotions executed in flawless, precise movements. Popular dances set well with her, and she believed that they would someday fulfill her dreams.  And in time, her hard work paid off.  Flavia had become an amazing dancer. 

After years of preparation, Flavia soon discovered that desirable jobs were scarce.  Nothing lasted more than a few weeks.  Flavia spent endless hours searching determinedly for work.  She needed to make ends meet, and it was not happening.  Finally, she decided to choreograph dances of a different nature.  In a few days, she was ready for an audition.  Then,she was hired on the spot.  She now had a steady job at a nightclub. Flavia  had become a stripper. 

And now, weeks had passed since Flavia last danced privately for her most loyal client.  She wondered where he was and whether or not he would ever return.    She closed her eyes for a moment to reflect on the issue, and when she opened them, Tippy was gone.

The next day, while the two dogs were being groomed, the three women met for tea.  “I can read your tea leaves,” Collette offered.  Although a fortune teller—she claimed to be, a swindler—she was.  And, her technique was working well; but as with all of her past scams, Collette knew that in time she would be found out.

The offer sounded great, so Flavia asked Collette to look at the leaves and tell her where to find Tippy.

“Find who?”  inquired Collette—not knowing that Tippy was Flavia’s bird’s name.

“Tippy!”  repeated Flavia.

“I’ll need to consult the spirits,” Collette explained, “and it will cost you twenty dollars.”

So, Flavia paid the money and asked Collette whether Tippy had been injured or just flown away.

“That’s it!” responded Collette. “Your beloved Tippy boarded a plane this morning and left you for someone else.  And, for twenty more dollars, I can tell you the name of the woman he is now with!”

Days later when the three women met,  Noella’s face and arms were badly bruised.  Before the other two could inquire of the cause, Noella explained that her injuries resulted from a “bad date,” and that every profession has its down side.  “Dancers like Flavia,” she told them, “are pressured to practice hard and perform well, and this causes a great deal of wear and tear on the body.  In order to keep working, Flavia denies her injuries. Collette, on the other hand, has financial difficulties, a rough schedule, and many disgruntled customers.  We all take professional risks each day.”

That evening when Collette got home, a man was waiting on her porch.  A while ago, she had predicted that he would win a large sum of money.  So he did as she suggested.  But, instead of winning, he lost all that he had.  Now, he wanted Collette to give him back the huge amount of money he lost.   When Collette opened her front door,  her dog, Dozer, began growling and frightened the man away.  But, Collette was perturbed because she was certain that he would return. 

The following day, while the three women sat side-by-side on the old wooden bench, the ranger posted a notice nearby.  He needed helpers.  So, the three decided to volunteer.  Their first task was to paint the bench they had been sitting on.  When they were done, they gave out flyers about the concert in the park.

The day of the concert finally arrived, and the park was crowded with people from near and far.  The three women had no time to sit and chat, but from their refreshment stand, the performers were in plain view. 

The drummer was the spokesperson for the group.  When the music quieted down, he said that when we pray, we focus on our needs and the needs of others.  And, in thanksgiving, we express our gratitude for the blessings the Lord has given us.  But, when we worship, it’s totally about the Lord, not about us or anyone else.  Then, he spoke about people being created to worship God. 

The music started back, and the people began worshipping the Lord.  Nobody was buying refreshments now, and Noella, Collette, and Flavia watched very closely.  Never before had they seen such genuine expressions of love. There were smiling faces, clapping hands, tapping feet, waving arms,  laughter, tears of joy, words of adoration, and harmony. 

Then, a group of praise dancers entered gracefully and pirouetted across the platform to a song about the Joy of the Lord.   Moments later, a woman came to the platform and said, “ Our joy comes from knowing who God is.  And we’re here in the park today to share the Gospel.”

Noella  had never experienced joy, and she often blamed herself because her life had not turned out right; she felt like such a failure.  But now, she realized that sacredness and joy go hand-in-hand, and she wanted them both.

Then, the woman read from Nehemiah, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is sacred to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”  (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)

These words were of great comfort  to Collette, Flavia, and Noella.  After the concert, they  talked to some of the worshippers; then, with the ranger’s permission, they served themselves a healthy helping of food from the refreshment stand and  gave food away until there was no more.     That evening, the three women  agreed that the day had been totally sacred, and they were each excited to learn about the joy of the Lord. 

The very next day, the three women sat on the old wooden bench talking things over.  They were hungry for the Word of God and had been invited to attend Bible Study at the church.  Collette knew that it was not because of good luck that she had attended the concert and heard the Gospel; it was because of God’s great love for her. 

The pastor and his wife are counseling Noella.  Collette works at the local library as a storyteller,  and Flavia made a luncheon date with one of the praise dancers so that she can learn to dance for the Glory of God.  As for Tippy, he found a bird feeder in the park with choice seeds.

Written by Gloria Ayot-Cross,Ph.D.  November 2008

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Copyright© 2008 Gloria Ayot-Cross.  All rights reserved.