Know Your Dance Partner

Sally Clarkson plays many roles: writer, speaker, wife, mother, missionary and more. Yet she shows that even a strong Christian can still struggles with pettiness, temper, and negative emotions. In her search for joy in a life full of disappointments, frustrations, and day-to-day interruptions, she found solace in a memory of dancing with her father. As he twirled her around the dance floor, she found pure joy. Trying to regain that joy, Clarkson writes a poignant lesson on how to live our lives as if God is our dance partner in her new book, Dancing with My Father.

Each chapter offers a glimpse into Clarkson's personal life, and demonstrates a different aspect of dancing with a partner. In addition to showing us that God is one of love, beauty, and goodness, each chapter is wrapped up with thought provoking questions and prayer.

I found reading this book to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster. It had some slow moments, and some moments where I felt like I was trudging through some of the same old advice. On the other hand, my heart soared through chapter five as it spoke of God as an artist, and I cried as I read the account of Marcy who, dying of ovarian cancer, never lost sight of heaven and wanted to share the way to everyone she loved.

By the time I reached the last page, and the last prayer, I felt I had a better understanding of the nature of God as a good father. Knowing how to be his dance partner means that anyone can find joy in their lives if they just dance. ( )

The Chapters Are:
The Search for Joy in a Less Than Perfect World
A Heart That Danced to Celebrate God's Presence
Letting Go to Take God's Hand
Dancing Through the Twists and Turns of Life
Reveling in God's Melody of Joy
Staying in Step with Your Partner
Joy is Made Full When It's Shared
Hearing the Refrain of Heaven
Exchanging the Drudgery of Duty for the Dance of Delight
Listen for the Music of God's Voice

Postscript: Will You Join The Dance?
Notes

Throughout the book are quotes, Bible verses etc. and at the end of each chapter is a "Finding Your Rhythm in God's Joy" that has a Bible verse and questions to use as a study guide. Living a life of Joy is a decision you make everyday. If you aren't living a life full of joy, I think reading this book will help you get there.

*Thanks to Random House for this review copy* ( )