Dancing with the Stars!

Last night. I couldn’t help but giggle when 82 year-old Cloris Leachman hoisted her leg up on the desk to show off while Bruno, a judge described her dancing as floating on the Battleship Geriatric.

I felt so bad for Susan Lucci, aka Erica Kane of All My Children, when she danced like a stiff robot, obviously terrified – not Erica-ish at all.

What was I watching?

Dancing with the Stars, the 7th season, debuted last night!

For those of you who might be high-minded and have those silly standards against reality TV...well you just click away right now and go read some Jane Eyre. Or have some Earl Grey tea...and learn some new fancy words.

For the rest of you, here's my dishing on the whole shebang last night!

First of all, I love the attitude of the show. It’s just fun! I didn't know everyone, including Cody somebody from Hannah Montana, and Maurice, a track star or Kim Kardashian, apparently a reality TV star on some cable show. But the ones I did recognize I really enjoyed watching. I just love the show!
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Maybe it’s the romantic fantasy of dancing like Cinderella at the ball. All eyes on you as you captivate the Prince’s heart.

Maybe it’s because I get to watch people who don’t know how to dance go through the process of learning. If they can do it, maybe I can?

It’s probably because of the inherent joy in dancing. A quality of energy and hopeful expectancy exists with movement to music.

As I watched last night, it occurred to me that the two stars who did the best displayed a quality lacking in the others. Lance Bass of InSync fame and Warren Bass, a professional football player both walked onto the dance floor with an attitude of “going for it.” They hid their fear and truly seemed to enjoy every step.

The other stars, each to a certain extent, began this journey with obvious fear. The steps of the Cha-Cha or the Fox Trot were exacted with a seriousness and compulsive need for perfection. No room for just fun.



I couldn’t help but wonder about the parallels to our dance with God. I know I find myself at times thinking I have to be perfect. I have to get the steps right. I need to take this Christian walk of mine seriously, seriously, seriously.

But you know what? When that happens, I seem to squish out the joy! I worry so much about being Miss Perfect Christian that doing the Cha-Cha with my Savior becomes an exercise in getting my footwork right and standing up straight. Is that the point of the dance? No.

The point of the dance is to connect with joy to God and to the music. That is the point of my Christian walk. Or is it?

As we go through our own Dancing with the Morning Star, are we in it for a disco ball award? Or are we in it for the joy of the moment, the relationship with our ultimate Dance Teacher.

Last night, the best dances were the ones that we watched with joy because the dancers were joyful.

Is my dance with God joyful? Is yours? Or are we so busy looking at our footwork, are we missing seeing His eyes?

Why not try this?

In the past few months, my plans for getting away by myself to just hang out with Jesus have been thwarted 3 times. Last Thursday I said to John, “I have to go! If it’s okay with you, I am going to go on Saturday no matter what.”

John wholeheartedly supported me, so Saturday morning I got in the car and drove to Benet Pines Retreat Center, a wonderful place run by nuns. The only cabin available for me was a four bedroom home, spacious, comfortable but huge. Last time I stayed there I got freaked out at night. It is located by itself in the middle of a forest. When you go outside at night, it is dead black. No lights. Nothing. I’ve seen too many horror movies. So this time, I asked a few people to pray for me at night. God helped me have no fear this time.

In a nut shell, it was wonderful. Being alone and not talking for 24 hours is fabulous, but strange. This was my fourth time to do this, so it was easier than before. No phones, no internet, no TV, no Digital Cable. Just silence. Except for birds and wind and occasional music I played on my boom box.

Someone asked me what in the world I did, so I thought I would give you the highlights and encourage you to try this. It is a vital practice to my sanity and spiritual growth, especially because I am on a journey that involves a lot of risk and rejection.

I always start by taking a nap. A long restful nap. So many times when you travel, getting there is exhausting. The retreat center I go to is only forty-five minutes from my home, but the planning and packing and going takes energy, mostly mental. So I make sure to take a wonderful nap first and foremost.

If I feel sleepy at anytime, I rest. Freedom is vital. I don’t get away so I can complete some sort of religious checklist. I go to hang out with God and get restored in a way that solitude can accomplish better than most anything else.

Some of the other things I do or have done:

• Walk around and pray.

• Read. I try to take at least one book with me that will challenge my spirituality or encourage me to growth with God. I have taken Joyce Meyer’s Battle of the Mind, St John of the Cross’s Dark Night of the Soul and Lost in Wonder by Esther De Waal to name three.

• I journal and write. Of course, I do this. I love to talk to God through writing.

• I sit and listen. Some of the best moments I have are when I just sit and listen to the sounds of nature. If I get antsy, I have discovered that deep breathing and reading poetry help me to settle down again. Then I just sit and listen again.

• I sit and stare at the stars. Every time I go, I bundle up and sit outside and look up at the beautiful dark wonder of God, sprinkled with shining diamonds. I used to do this a lot as a kid, so this practice always relaxes me and makes me happy.

• I sing. No one minds because I am alone. :0)

• I dance. There is something absolutely sacred about dancing for the Lord in the midst of a candle lit room. Alone. Uninhibited.

• I meditate on Scriptures. My brother Phil, who is my teacher and inspiration in getting away on these retreats, (His ministry Caleb’s Heart encourages these kind of retreats called WAAWGs-Weekends almost alone with God) taught me the practice of lectivo divina, a Benedictine ritual of just reading Scripture and taking time to let it really soak in.

• I fix myself good food.

• I drink hot tea.

• I do what I feel I need. My sister in law Lory gave me a Dean Martin CD for my birthday. I love, love, love Dean Martin’s voice. So on my 24 hour retreat, I took a very long bubble bath while listening to my favorite crooner.

The most important thing is to just connect with God and let Him love me. He wants to. He wants to love you, too. He loves me and you through our busy schedules. But I believe He yearns to have dates with us, be them short or long. But taking 24 hours to just be with Him has become something of a need for me. It’s like when you discover a great hair dresser who makes you feel good and look good, too. You naturally want to go back and experience that joy again. God is better than the best hairdresser. :0)

If you stumble onto this blog, or you are a regular reader, I know that it is not a coincidence that you are reading this. Take a minute and think about trying to get away by yourself for 24 hours. Away from family, friends, media. Many books are in your library that will help you figure out what to do during the time. Retreat centers are located near you. You just have to purpose yourself to do this. If you want my help or prayer email me robbieiobst at hotmail.com and it would be my HONOR to answer questions or pray for you as you go.

My 24 hours away didn’t change my life. I am not on some spiritual high or feel I need to go to the mall and preach in the food court. In fact, after 10 days of feeling poorly, I am still sick with a cold, hacking away.

But you know what? My soul is at peace. I am content. I am rested. And I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that God loves me right now, just as I am.

I know because I gave Him a chance to tell me over and over. And over.

What?!!

It has been brought to my attention that I, yes me, a writer trying desperately to learn the craft, may overuse exclamation points!!!

Are you kidding me?!!!

I don’t agree with this at all!

Yes I am screaming!

Well, maybe I will stop using exclamation points!

I WILL USE CAPITALS!!!!!

When is it Time for Change?

Have you ever been walking along a path, happy with the scenery, humming to yourself and truly enjoying the moment? It’s nice, isn’t it?

But then, you happen upon a fork in the road. You’ve been here before. No surprise. You always go to the right. The trail is scenic with wild daisies and marigolds lining your way as if cheering you on in a parade. Rose bushes are only about a fourth of a mile down and at this time of year they promise fullness of joy peaking out and greeting you.

So you know if you go right, you will be glad. Comfortable. Easy.

But this day, the left path looks inviting.

Uh-oh.

Is it time for change?

When is it time for change?

Anyone got an opinion?

I’m truly curious.

I Will Not Lose Heart

“Therefore, since through God's mercy
we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.”
2 Corinthians 4:1

Yesterday I received a rejection that really hurt. My soul seemed to explode and I laid down on my bed and began bawling. Now to put it in perspective, I am sick and therefore my emotions have easy access – no waiting – right this way – on ramps- to my tear ducks. But you know what? The rejection just hurt. Really hurt.

Everyone of us experiences pain. Joint pain and muscle pain. Relationship pain. The other day I ran my toe into a corner wall by our kitchen and it just about killed me. Well, for a moment anyway. Then I was fine. Okie-dokie. Ready for another step and possible crash.

I guess that is the cool thing about pain. Most of the time pain passes. It comes and goes like a storm, raining down on me one moment, but leaving the next. I can count on the fact that I will not feel this way forever. I won’t go around bawling constantly.

At least, I hope not.

Pain is also an effective teacher. God knew this when He decided to let each of us deal with the consequences of our actions. How many times have I blown it and reaped the fruits of my actions. But many times I learned. Like a baby who doesn’t touch a hot stove more than once. I adjusted.

My philosophy-ing doesn’t take the edge off the emotions. My heart still hurts. I ache with this little tinge of hopelessness. The sting of rejection is a stab of hurt at first, then just a wicked throbbing.

I hurt.

Ruth Bell Graham had a great life. But she hurt. Sometimes she hurt badly. She wrote a poem that I love. It’s the only poem I’ve ever memorized. (I like that it’s short. :0) )

It fits today.


Spare not the pain, Lord,
Spare not the pain.

Though the way I take be lonely and dark,
Though the whole soul ache.
For the flesh must die,
Though the heart may break.

Spare not the pain, Lord,
Oh, spare not the pain.


The pain is good for me. And I must not forget perspective. My family is healthy. I do not write for income, thank God. I am not grieving the loss of anyone I love or wondering how I will ever rebuild the house the hurricane took.

When I sit at a laptop, I rarely feel pain. I feel freedom and joy and creativity. But when I submit my writing, pain comes often.

So why do it? Am I a masochist? Here editor, tell me how much this will not sell.

No. I do it because I believe.

I believe that God has called me to write.

I believe in the gift God has given me.

I believe in hope.

I believe in the possibility that God may expand my borders and use my writing to help someone else.

I believe. Because of this, I can’t lose heart.

So today I may cry. I may cuss. I may drink a little bit to take the edge off.

But today I will not quit believing.

And I will not quit writing.

It's coming...and I am excited.

Okay, I will admit it. Here I go.

My name is Robbie and I am a Dancing with the Stars addict.

(Hi Robbie)

It's been a few months since the last season's show. But next Monday, the thrill ride starts again. Why do I love this show you ask? Why, Robbie, why?

I'll tell you.

1) The Elegance - I love watching the sweeping movements of the Waltz and the pretty precision of the Quick Step.

2) The Competition - It is fun to guess what score the judges will give the stars.

3) The Bonding - The star list is not necessarily A list stars, so I find myself getting to know (in a fan watching TV way, not a stalker way) celebrities I didn't know before. Last season, Marissa Janet Winokur, danced her way to the final four. She is a big girl and showed that dancing doesn't only belong to the slender. I bonded with her! (Once again, not in a stalker kind of way)

4) The Pros - Watching someone who really knows the skill of dancing is a pleasure for me, an artist/writer. I love seeing the gifts of God celebrated. Even if God isn't given credit. I know who the Master Dancer is.

5) The Stars - This season Susan Lucci (Erica of All My Children) is dancing. That will be a hoot to watch. Also Cloris Leachman who is 82 years old is giving it a shot. I admire these women and their courage to do this. They are sending a wonderful message that aging doesn't need to stop the joy of gliding over the dance floor.

So there it is. A true confession. Monday night will be a night of joy dancing in my house!

In Sickness and Health

I haven't blogged the last couple of days because I am sick. Two weeks ago Noah caught an infection. The doctor said it was an adenoidal virul infection. He missed 3 days of school which is unheard of for him. Then John came down with it and had to work from home every day last week.

I possessed a glimmer of hope that it would pass me by. I wondered if there was any kind of faux lamb's blood that I could possibly smear on my forehead in order to be passed over. (That's a reference to a Bible story and an attempt at humor - remember I'm sick.)

I was in a movie theatre Friday morning when I felt sort of achy. As my sister and I walked out, I said, "Oh no, Karen. I don't feel good."

Kaboom!

Within a couple of hours, I felt miserable. Karen left last night. I pray God truly chooses to pass over her house.

So I am miserable and achy and coughing and using lots of kleenex.

A good thing (and there is ALWAYS a good thing if you look for it) is that this sickness again affirms what a blessed and God-given gift my marriage is to me. When John was sick, the parameters were clear to me. Ask him occasionally if he needs something. Otherwise, leave him alone. He likes to be left by himself, cave-like, when he is sick. I know this. I followed the rules. He finally got better.

Now it's my turn. John, dear wonderful John, knows my parameters. I do not like to be left alone. I will not go into a cave. Instead, I want to be pampered, babied, listened to, served and coddled. If we had extra money for a home nurse I would ask for one. John knows this. He has already followed the rules. I will get better.

Thank you Jesus for a marriage that knows the rules, in sickness and health.

If you read this, pray that I will get better quickly. I've already had to cancel three things I was really looking forward to. But it is no big deal. I look at the TV and see those folks in the Gulf Coast and everything is put into perspective.