Paint the Town Red

Mama Said 

Romans 15:13 ESV

My parents were not ‘big’ on partying but they did know how to cut a rug. They did find great joy in

dancing  from time to time. It was their way to enjoy life and “paint the town red”. From the Jitterbug and

the Jive to Square Dancing later in life dancing was their favorite things to do.

Of course the big dance craze during World War 2 was the jitterbug, the Lindy hop, and the Jive. My dad

was WW2 Navy and he learned how to dance…he was really good! I once said to my Mom they were

really good and she looked at me and said, “he is so good that he makes me look good.”

When I was growing up they did occasionally go dancing. They weren’t into drinking other than and

occasional glass of wine when they ate out, but they did love to dance! It was a gift.

Romans 15:13 tells us, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the

power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

Dancing was a gift from God for them and it brought them great joy.

It was not their only joy though. My dad was a Scout Master, he played Cribbage, and they both

played Bridge for years. He taught Sunday School and studied the Bible every night. He did not have the

tools available that I have today. He passed away in 1987 before the internet was readily available to the

public. All the studying he did was by book. Oh my…he would have loved the internet and the Bible Tools

we have available today!

He would have been thrilled that I had the privilege of going to Seminary to study scripture and Hebrew!

Looking back if I had to choose his favorite “paint the town red” thing to do, it would have been studying

scripture. I truly believe because he didn’t have the internet tools we have now he spent his time listening

to God.

It’s said that “paint the town red” originated in England in 1837 when a Marquis and his buddies painted a

town red. They were finally arrested and fined for the damages but they were glad to pay the price.

Apparently they did have a good time. In years past the saying had a negative connotation of violence,

but today it generally means having a good time.

King David danced before God when the Ark of the Covenant was returned (2 Samuel 6).

Jesus had a good time when he walked the earth because he loved…really loved people. He

loved His disciples and they loved him. I’ve always believed they laughed a lot.

Jesus loved visiting Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus (Luke 10). Can you imagine how much

joy they shared when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead?

We see suffering but we also see joy throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation. The nine fruit of

the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 indicate God gave us the fruit of the Spirit to enrich and help us.

Joy is of God and joy IS God.

So, dance like King David danced! Love like Jesus loved.

BE filled with the joy of the Spirit!

Deborah/acrazyjourney.com