The Dancing Shoe

‘Twas a great day of celebration in heaven. Annie was coming home. God, Himself, stood front and center at Heaven’s gate to welcome Annie into eternity. Throngs of Angels were on tippy-toe trying to peer over their kindred crowd to catch first sight of this petite in height, yet a zenith in Christian stature, lady of God. The cherub choir stood ready to raise their voices as soon as Annie crossed Heaven’s threshold. However, once inside Heaven’s portal, Annie’s soul spoke first, silencing the throngs — including her Heavenly Father

Annie was not concerned with being hailed a superstar child of God. She was totally immersed in loving concern for Hiroko — her family, twin musketeer. Thus, before God could say well done, Annie; welcome home, Annie spoke to God. She seized the moment not as a gift for herself but as a bequest for Hiroko. From Heaven, her soul needed to send Faith, Hope and Love to Hiroko. Like so many times before, Annie needed God’s help. God approached Annie and, as always, assured her that His hands were ready and willing to carry both hers and Hiroko’s needs.

Annie’s eyes then caught a glimpse of the angel wardrobe awaiting her. Her gaze locked upon the dazzling Dancing Shoes. Turning to God, Annie beseeched Him to let her share her Dancing Shoes with Hiroko. One of the last earthly events they dreamed of doing was to kick up a leg and dance. Now, Annie longed to send Hiroko the symbolic message that Dancing Shoes, forever, bonded their lives and their love.

With understanding in His heart and a slight tone of laughter in His voice, God inquired, “You want to send Hiroko one of your angelic Dancing Shoes?”. Annie sweetly replied, “Yes and please, may I embellish the shoe with more dazzle of symbolic meaning?”. God nodded in loving agreement and questioned, “How are you wishing to transform the Dancing Shoe?”.

Annie lost not even a moment before sharing her vision. “Hiroko must remember that I am only physically away, ‘and now these three remain — Faith, Hope and Love — but the greatest of these is Love.’ This message will always live within Hiroko’s and my hearts. Thus, I ask it to be added inside the Dancing Shoe.”

Respectfully Annie shared, “Hiroko will miss hearing our conversations, but the Word of God we spoke to each other (and many others) will forever echo in our ears and hearts. Nothing can silence the sound of God’s words. They bring direction whenever we feel deafening silence. A Bible must adorn the Dancing Shoe.”.

Annie’s monologue went on, “Christ took up His Cross and suffered worldly death so all God’s children could live eternally, beyond our physical passing. I am not dead but alive and waiting in Heaven for Hiroko. I desire to attach a Cross to the Dancing Shoe, so Hiroko never forgets this truth.”.

With concern, Annie uttered, “Hiroko feels lost and wonders how she will continue onward without my constant encouragement and rare kick in the butt, keep going push. The Dancing Shoe must carry the message that ‘With God, All Things Are Possible.”.

Without taking a breath, Annie shared, “Family trees don’t wither and die when one member goes home to Heaven. When roots are deep in God’s will, God’s way and God’s timing, a branch does not break off when entering Heaven, but rather, stretches up into eternity, keeping the family still joined in its ancestral trunk. This symbol, too, must grace the Dancing Shoe.”.

Annie’s next request articulated, “This moment Hiroko’s sky seems so very, very dark. She must never forget I’ll always be her guiding star, illuminating for her that the way through all darkness is found by following the SON’s light. May a star, also, find its place upon the Dancing Shoe.”.

Annie’s words turned technical as she explained, “All shoes come with an insole. The Dancing Shoe I share with Hiroko must, instead, possess the presence of ‘Praying Inner Souls’. May this symbolically represent the Circle of Praying Grandmothers, who faithfully promised me that Hiroko will never be without a sisterhood of caring and sharing.”.

Finally, Annie implored, “”Just one last request, my Father. I choose to send Hiroko my right Dancing Shoe. I cannot send her the left one, in fear she might interpret it as my implying she is being left behind. Instead, I send her the right one to represent Your will, Your way and Your timing are always right.”.

Annie, having said her all, thought every need had been spoken and fulfilled. God knew otherwise. With great love, He added His own wisdom to complete the message and meaning of the Dancing Shoe to be given Hiroko. God declared, “Annie, two other adornments must be added to the Dancing Shoe. First, an angel, symbolizing You, needs to shine upon the Dancing Shoe.”. God, Himself, secured the angel in position. Next, above the angel, He then buckled the Dancing Shoe with a brilliant halo.

Annie was confused and asked God, “Since the angel representing me already has a halo, why did You add a second to the Dancing Shoe?”. God affectionately explained, “The second halo exemplifies the halo awaiting My precious daughter, Hiroko, when My will, My way and My timing will re-unite in heaven you, Hiroko and your shared pair of Dancing Shoes.”.