#YourStory: Susan B. Mead
Dance With Jesus – a Metaphor for Joy
By Susan B. Mead
Have you ever felt like the journey of healing from losing someone dear to you was NOT what you hoped for?
Do you often find yourself feeling lost, alone, overwhelmed and unsure how to help yourself, much less someone else in your family?
Would you like to see that someone else has walked this path, so you can? Me too. There is HOPE…
Have you ever written an answer to a Bible Study question that took longer than the two lines provided? I did – and it became the book Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace. The question Henry Blackaby posed in Experiencing God was what does God want you to do, right now?
I heard deep in my spirit, “Sing My love song.” And laughed out loud at God.
Seriously God, You will have to send me a bucket, because You KNOW I can’t carry a tune. Then the next deep spiritual nudge was, “What’s in your hand? Use it.” I was writing in the workbook, so a pen was in my hand…
I swept away the workbook, got out a clean journal and out the story poured. At 5:30 am, I looked up as I wrote the last words. The very first email I read later that day was from Proverbs 31 Ministries about their upcoming SheSpeaks 2013, a speakers and WRITERS conference.
Seriously God? You WANT me to DO something with this? OK.
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So the story begins…
My name is Susan Burfoot Mead and I’ve been blessed to be married to my soul mate, Holt Mead, since 1979. I think the first 30 years we spent working on learning what soul mates are…Or should I ask him if we are still working on that?
I’m the mother of two sons, Matthew, who lives in South Louisiana and is engaged to a precious woman and Kyle, Forever 20 and in Heaven, where he is doing a Dance with Jesus. Kyle’s been there since March 29, 2008. March 20 is Matt’s birthday. I love you dearly, Matt. Always have. Always will.
Matt called on a beautiful sunny Saturday morning in 2008. My world split open and I tumbled into a black abyss as Matt wailed, Kyle died last night. Oh. O H. OHHHHHHHH. NO!
Please, don’t even try to imagine how any parent feels upon hearing those words.
But God…gave me a gift – a beautiful gift.
The morning of Kyle’s service, I had a dream. Kyle was wearing blue jeans, his Scooby Doo t-shirt, a blazer and was dancing–getting way down low. Two hockey sticks were crossed behind him…and JESUS was way down low, dancing in a mirror image JUST LIKE Kyle! Jesus turned with His arm outstretched, pointed to me and said, “This is to bring you joy. I taught him how. I taught him how to dance.”
So where was Kyle? Dancing with Jesus! Awesome, thank you, Father. What an exquisite gift from You.
A day or two later, we were in South Louisiana for a memorial service for Kyle for his college friends who were unable to attend his funeral service. One friend made a banner of a lot of their friend’s pictures of Kyle to present to us.
Can you imaging my surprise…and delight…when just to the right of center I saw a photo…
There was Kyle in a picture wearing blue jeans, his Scooby Doo t-shirt, a blazer and was dancing–getting way down low. One hockey stick was behind him…No mirror image. Just him. Dressed just like the dream. A day or two LATER.
HELLO GOD!
And the story continues as God reveals Himself over and over and over again. I remain in AWE of our great God! Now dance with Jesus is a metaphor for joy. The joy of the Lord!
About Susan ~
With over 2 million airline miles under her belt, an MBA hanging on the wall and 2 Christian Literary Awards on the shelf, Susan B Mead shares her expert teachings on business, grief and relationships. A master storyteller and award winning author, Susan leaves audiences motivated to live a life free of regrets even though she has done the hardest thing any parent can do – bury her youngest son, Kyle. Susan has been described as a solid, comforting voice in a messy world. Whether speaking to business professionals, women’s conferences, industry leaders or writer’s workshops, Susan’s insightful wisdom inspires audiences, empowering them to make healthy mental u-turns.
Connect with Susan on her website where she writes each Friday, on Facebook and Twitter where she posts scripture graphics and daily inspiration or on Amazon where her book, Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace, is available.
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Oh, the pain. 🙁 I appreciate you sharing your story though, Susan. It will help others heal as well. I know you never stop missing Kyle. May God continue to give you graces all along this journey. The dream was indeed a beautiful grace.
Lisa, thank you. There is so much truth in time heals – if you will do the work of healing.
Thank God, I’m at a place I recall the beautiful memories. And that’s a GIFT from God. I’m so thankful He loves is so well that He comforts each one of us. Hugs. Susan
Thanks for sharing your story, Susan. I’m sorry you’ve been through such a painful experience, but I love how God gave you a dream to comfort you and reassure you in the midst of your grief.
Thank you Lesley! Yes that was so beautiful for God to KNOW what I needed to be able to get out of bed and LIVE in the midst of that loss. He’s so good to us, His kiddos, isn’t He?! Hugs. Susan
I have read your book, you are an amazing lady, and we serve an amazing God. Yes your story made me cry, but it also gave me hope. I have had the honor of talking to you via Facebook, but you always make me feel like we are close friends, and for that I thank you. Never stop doing what you do best and that is to touch broken hearts with your comfort. God bless you Susan
Oh Trish – your precious words feel like a hug directly from God. How you bless me. I did not know I touch broken heart with my comfort. May I use those words of yours, Trish? Hugs, Susan
I’ve got Susan’s book from a giveaway and I was touched and inspired by it. I can totally not imagine the pain as the closest I’ve got to kids are our dogs and it still hurts every time one goes to the rainbow bridge. No matter how many times it happened to us.
I hope the message of this book spread throughout so that everyone who experiences grief could find solace and comfort in it.
Lux, Loss is loss and loss of a pup hurts too. We just lost a 16 year old “girl” Samantha. What a joy she was in our lives! Yet I agree – it’s not the same loss as a child. Hugs, Susan
I connected to your site from a Christian blogging group on Facebook. I too am a bereaved mother so your testimony resonated with me. Thank you for being willing to share.
Oh Donalacasa, My heart breaks for your loss. I truly am sorry that you’ve experienced that. I pray you feel and have felt the comforting hand of God as you’ve walked this path. Hugs – from my heart to yours. Susan
Susan, I love how you framed your story as the answer to a Bible study question that took more than two lines.
Thank you for getting out the notebook and thank you for pouring out the pain in words. I know many mums who are also grieving, and they need to know there’s not a deadline for “getting over it.”
Amen! There is no set timeline – as we are each so very different in all ways, even grieving. Thank you Michele. Hugs, my sweet friend. Susan
Thank you for sharing this story Kristie. Susan, you have such a powerful testimony. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Thank you Leslie. All the power is from our King of kings and Lord of lords. Hugs, Susan
Oh, Susan. Of course I already knew this about you, but — even still, the words of this post brought tears to my eyes. Bless you, mama. What a testament of God you are—His comfort, His faithfulness, and yes–His joy. You’re an inspiration, Susan. Thank you. — I have a son who’s struggling in similar ways as your Kyle was. If you have a prayer to spare for T. it would bless his mama. ((hug)) Grace to you, my friend. — And, Kristi! Thank you for sharing Susan with us today. ((xoxo))
Brenda, Oh girl, I do have a prayer for your precious son.
Dear Lord, You know Your son has wandered from the straight and narrow and is distracting himself or medicating himself to miss any pain, loss, grief or simply challenges he can’t face alone. Yet he is not alone. Lord, I pray Psalm 91:11 over T – Order Your angels to protect him wherever he goes – each and every day. Do not let his angels sit on the bench, unemployed, Lord. Send them out! Surround him with Your protection, every day and every night, Lord.
We bind the enemy and render him powerless over T, in the majestic name of Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory.
I also pray Isaiah 49:24-25…and your children I WILL SAVE. (That is a PROMISE! Proclaim it, celebrate it and remind God of THAT promise for your child(red)!)
Praise Your Holy Name, Lord God Almighty, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Heartfelt hugs my friend. Praise God for the good work He is doing in T even now.
Susan
Susan, you continue to inspire me with your journey of faith and healing. I’m so thankful your story didn’t end but that your “story continues as God reveals Himself over and over and over again.”
((Hugs)) to you, sweet friend.
Thank you Crystal! He never stops loving us, His kiddos. And that is great news, isn’t it?! Hugs, Susan
Susan,
I can’t even imagine. It is a parent’s worst nightmare, and then magnified probably more than we can even understand. I am so sorry. I am so grateful God met you and you were able to share that with us and that you stepped through that door He opened for you to pour into others. You have such a beautiful story.
Blessings,
Dawn
Thank you Dawn. Frankly, I’m thrilled you can’t imagine! I don’t want any more mommas in this “club” with me, to be honest. Hugs, Susan
Love love love reading this precious story here this morning! Sending you some great big hugs this morning. I like the idea of Kyle dancing with my daddy in heaven. Blessings, sweet friend!
Susan- my heart hurts for you! What an amazing testimony about how God is using you and the pain you’ve experienced!
Thank you for sharing!
God never ceases to amaze me. What a sweet and tender way He cared for you, Susan. Thank you for sharing your story – and thank you Kristi, for bringing it to us.
God loves us so much! I loved reading the story behind your book title, Susan. Your book is on my list of “must reads”. Thank you for sharing your story.