In the Dance of Life

Introduction

Our hope in writing our family’s journey as we victoriously danced through the healing of our son, Paul Henry, is if just one person is encouraged, inspired enough to avoid falling into a pit of depressing despair, or be drawn into greater intimacy with God, then our mission will have been accomplished. As God has held our family securely and lovingly to His chest, skillfully leading us in a joyful dance through this healing journey, we hope to help you navigate through your life experiences. Sharing how God orchestrated each step we took makes everything we suffered has been worth it all!
I consider myself a strong, determined woman, forged through the fire of many trials and tribulations over my lifetime. My faith in Jesus Christ has been built on solid ground since being saved from the kingdom of darkness and transferred into God’s Kingdom of Light in 1992. At the same time, I acknowledge my frailties, weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Yet it absolutely surprised me how close I came to becoming unglued at various times during this healing journey. The truth is our family stared death right in the face upon hearing our son diagnosed with such deadly diseases as lymphoma and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. As we glanced around, we saw many who did not have a relationship with God, painfully existing in agony and despair. We saw people needlessly suffer as they questioned God’s goodness. We knew in our hearts God was leading us to share how He moved us in this dance of life to the Rhythm of His Holy Spirit, stepping boldly and confidently. With our eyes on Jesus, we even danced above the waves. Yes, we were dancing ON WATERS we had never travelled before! Sound impossible? Just, come and listen to our story.
It has been settled a long time ago in my heart, that God is my loving Father. I call Him my Abba Daddy and He is truly to be trusted, in good times and in the midst of the stormy seas of life. From day one of this healing journey, I knew, like never before, our family needed to rest in faith under the Shadow of God Almighty’s wings as described in Psalm 91 and we would all be safe, come what may. Even when our faith wavered and seemingly evaporated in the heat of the fiery trials, God proved Himself ever faithful right beside us ever working good things on our behalf. Even when the deluge of storms threatened to wash us out, Abba Daddy not only provided His loving wings of protection from the downpour, but He, filled to the overflowing in His joy, taught us how to dance in these storms!
As a young girl, in 1970, I vividly remember the painful time when our family discovered my dad, Henry, was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer. At that time of my dear father’s diagnosis, I did not have the confident faith in Jesus Christ I have today, and did not know of God’s spiritual tools that enable His children to stand strong in the midst of intense trials. Our family suffered deeply and we nearly perished emotionally in these trials. My mother lost her precious husband and four of us children lost our beloved father who was only 50 years old at the time. The bible says, “My people perish for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 And how true this scripture is, as we each struggled as we watched the head of our family perish after dad’s year-long battle with cancer. I remember praying to God to show me a better way through this earthly life. As I have joyfully given my heart to Jesus, He has taken my hand and showed me how to follow His lead.
In the pages ahead, we have faithfully recorded a blueprint from God on how we successfully navigated these uncharted waters. My hope is as you read our story, our experiences ignite bright burning flames of faith deep in your spirit. Or may our experiences blazingly re-kindle a smoldering heat that can sometimes nearly go out by the cares of this world. I hope this journey draws you into even greater intimacy with the One Who loves you deeply. For whatever you are going through, I can say from personal experience that Jesus Christ is enough. His motivation is His love for us. His desire is to break into our world here on earth with His Heavenly Presence. It is His delight to show off to His children! As we listen to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit, He wants to lead us on paths of His choosing because He is a good and faithful Abba Daddy to His children. Jesus is the Good Shepherd leading His flock. The Holy Spirit Who dwells within us wants to comfort us daily.
God is calling His children in a new season of intensity to “Come Up Higher”, for we are seated with Jesus in the Heavenly places, we are in two places at one time, and we must exercise our powerful authority in the name of Jesus! Imagine, Heaven really here on the earth! As a dual citizen of both Heaven and earth, I am calling down God’s Kingdom to come to the earth. I am an instrument in God’s hands releasing the Kingdom of God into this one. He is drawing His children into a deeper love relationship with Himself. Right from the beginning of this journey, and even to this very day, I hear God speak in my spirit this verse:

“Those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Let me share how faithful He has been to us as we have waited on the Lord. “And now, through Christ, all the kindness of God has been poured out upon us undeserving sinners; and now He is sending us out around the world to tell all people everywhere the great things God has done for them, so that they, too, will believe and obey Him.” Romans 1:5 It is my heart’s prayer that you may glean from our experiences to rise victorious in your own “dance of life”.

Paul Sr.’s Perspective
Some things in life don’t work out the way that you plan. Ain’t that the truth! There is an old Chinese expression, “May you live in interesting times.” Since May 21st, 2011, our family has certainly lived in interesting times. As you read this book, I’m sure that you will also agree. I suggest you read this book with an open mind and an open heart, for I believe you will be richly blessed.

Paul Henry’s Blog
Hiding between the sheets for now,
I’m afraid of changing.
Lord, show me who I am to be.
Please mold me just like You.
Hold my hand, and guide me.
Lord, show me what to do.

Written by Paul Henry, September 2011, early in the beginnings of chemotherapy