Have you ever danced with your father? The lyrics of Luther Vandross’ “Dance with My Father,” pluck at the heartstrings of most males. Feelings of disconnection, disappointment and inadequacy run deep within the psyche of more males than not when it comes to their father-son relationship. Even if that relationship proves to be healthy, the words still pull buried emotions to the surface of any man who reflects on the loss of his father.

             Vandross had wonderful memories of his early years with his father, who often picked him up in his arms and danced with him. Many times the two of them danced with his mother. The wonderful memories were shattered by the sudden death of his father when Luther was only five years old. 

Saddened by the weeping of his mother, he prayed for God to send his father back to dance with his mother again. This song contains the elements of being poignant, heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time.

            A father’s love is the most important human love essential to a man’s healthy development. Unfortunately, this is a missing commodity in the lives of so many men. A great number of boys grow up afraid of their fathers. Fathers, who are potentially good fathers, may have sons who are fearful of them because of some failure in communication, or the father’s inability to show love.

Others are abused, or the father is missing through neglect due to working too many hours. Then there are those fathers who are missing through divorce or have just plain vanished. The inability to express love is common among many fathers. All of these examples leave deep scars and the feeling of being “not okay.”    

          Here is a new message for your brain’s “iPod,” a message of healing and okayness. The message is from Almighty God, your heavenly Father and your Creator. Get this into your system by repeating it many times a day. Pray it over and over, until it becomes truth in your inner being! I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with loving kindness. ^{(Jeremiah 31:3 NIV)}

          This word from God paints a profound picture of a love far greater than any human love could ever manifest. When you contemplate this, yes, even when you meditate upon it, you begin to feel the drawing power of the Father pulling you to Him. You have never really known love until you experience God’s divine love.

          Now my friend, here’s the capstone: Your heavenly Father wants to dance with you. Yes, you!  Check this out: The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing ^{(Zephaniah 3:1)} Can you now see God lifting you up in His arms and dancing with you while He is singing over you?

            You can read the entire story in Jerry’s book, “Benny to Beyonce – Finding God’s Perfect Pitch for Your Life,” a collection of 52 popular song titles from the Benny Goodman era to Beyonce, with interesting biographies, interviews, trivia, history, humor and healing. Lionel Hampton wrote the foreword and it is recommended by world renowned artists and personalities such as Kirk Whalum, Bill Pearce, Douglas Yeo, Dr. Aubrey Tucker, Dr. Ed Young and Don Pope. The print copy and E-book edition in 16 formats will soon be available from the Intermedia Publishing Group Book Store at www.imprbooks.com/shop and jerrystitt.com.