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Dancing with My Heavenly Father: Choosing Joy in a Less-Than-Perfect World

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Let Your Soul Dance with Delight in God
 
Do you sometimes feel victimized by circumstances? Are you overwhelmed by weariness, fear, or discouragement? Do you wonder, Where can I go to claim the promise of Jesus that my joy could be made full?


When trusted author and mentor Sally Clarkson noticed a lack of joy in her own life, she realized how easy it can be, especially for women with overloaded to-do lists, to feel weighed down by drudgery and disappointment. But rather than slogging through her days, Sally wanted to know the delight of God's presence. She began prayerfully exploring how to cultivate deep-rooted joy even in the midst of difficult seasons.


In this warm and wise book, she invites you to experience for yourself what happens when you trust God to lead you into a life of anticipation, passion, and purpose.


Weaving biblical insights with real-life stories that reflect every Christian woman's deepest longings, Dancing with My Father reveals how any woman, in any circumstance, can daily live in beauty and grace, joy and peace.

224 pages, Paperback

First published December 22, 2009

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833 people want to read

About the author

Sally Clarkson

58 books1,689 followers

From working on college campuses, to sharing the Gospel behind the Iron Curtain as a missionary, traveling around the United States, Canada, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia to speak on discipleship, Sally Clarkson has tenaciously sought after God's kingdom, and has used her ministry to encourage others to do the same. From her best-selling books such as Own Your Life, Desperate (with Sarah Mae), and her latest, The Lifegiving Home, Sally has shared from her heart and home about the value of motherhood and the potential for home to cultivate life, love, and faith. In 1995, She and her husband Clay founded Whole Heart Ministries, which has encouraged thousands of families around the world in discipling their children

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5 stars
163 (49%)
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117 (35%)
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41 (12%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile.
2,447 reviews926 followers
October 25, 2021
I truly feel this book ripped me open in many places and helped reshaped me into what God intended. The author writes as if she’s sitting down across from you, and that helped me to be introspective about all of the insight she has gleaned in her life. I will be reading more of her books.
Profile Image for Rebekah Morris.
Author 119 books269 followers
June 28, 2016
If there was a higher rating than 5 stares, I'd give it. I just finished reading this wonderful book for the second time and it was even better. Have you wanted to find real, lasting joy? Have you wanted to have a deeper walk with your Heavenly Father? Have you struggled with discouragement and wondering why things happen the way they do? Sally Clarkson does a wonderful job of walking you through her journey of finding joy and showing what the Bible says about it. If you have never read this book, I can't recommend it enough. Get a copy and read it! And then read it again.
Profile Image for Debbie.
3,639 reviews88 followers
March 1, 2010
"Dancing with My Father" was partly a memoir and partly a Christian Living book. The book seemed disjointed and inconsistent due to the way it was written. For example, in chapter two, there was an underlying emphasis on performing well for God and the author heaped praises on David for what he did when trusting God, but chapter nine was all about how God doesn't base our worth on our performance. The ideas, as presented, didn't strike me as balancing each other but as conflicting with each other.

When giving examples from her life (which took up about half of the book), the author put in so much detail and her stories lasted so long that I often lost track of what point she was trying to make. These sections often turned into 'sharing her memories' (i.e. a memoir) rather than 'real life illustrations.'

She also sometimes used terms in an odd way. For example, she said in chapter two that we need to see with our hearts. "Heart" usually refers to our emotions, and that's how she used it later, but here it became obvious she meant that we needed to see events from God's perspective. I don't think she meant that viewing life through our emotions gives us an accurate view of God's perspective (which isn't biblical), but I'm not sure why she used "heart" here.

Another thing that baffled me was her apparently changing view of the Bible. At the very beginning, while making some points based on a children's story version of the fight between David and Goliath--and she even summarized the story--she apologized for using the Bible so much. In my opinion, she didn't use the Bible much at all, though she did have plenty of verses on joy somewhat randomly spread throughout the book. She mainly made her points based on her personal experiences and the advice of her friends. Ironically, this works since her friends based their advice off of what the Bible teaches.

She then made a jab at people who like to study and discuss the Bible as only having head knowledge about God rather than a relationship with Him, as if the two can't co-exist. Later, she again criticized those who dared to discuss the Bible with others as only having head knowledge. (She never confined her criticism to only those who say, "you're not a Christian if you don't agree with my theology.') She emphasized "heart knowledge" as superior, though she admitted we needed head knowledge, too. (BTW, I believe we need both in balance and one isn't superior to the other.)

In chapter five, she focused on finding joy in God's created things. She said that if we want to know what God is like, then one of the best and most complete teachers is nature (p.91). I was left thinking, "Um, what about Jesus? He was God made flesh. And the Bible gives us a much more specific knowledge about God. And don't you think He'd like us to find joy in HIM and not just the things he created?" After a long wait, chapter ten was a lovely chapter on finding enjoyment in God Himself and on the importance of reading the Bible to get a right idea of God and to guard our hearts. Again, it didn't feel like one idea balanced the other but more like the book was inconsistent.

By the way, she rarely referred to Jesus or the Holy Spirit. She did say we should study and follow Jesus' example, but not because He's God and therefore knows how to be joyful better than anybody, but because he was 'a man anointed with joy.'

The book made a lot of good points, but I'm still feeling baffled by the lack of internal consistency in places. It's also mainly about the author's life and was focused on what we do. The glances toward God and His direct role in our joy seemed few and brief. So it's not a bad book, but I'm sure there are better-written books out there on this same subject.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Profile Image for Abigail Westbrook.
480 reviews33 followers
February 10, 2024
This calming book is just the refocusing I needed this month. I read it as a devotional and appreciated the reflection questions at the end of each chapter. The reminders of who God is, and how He delights in us are so good. The book probably could have been edited to feel less repetitive, but then again, I need to hear these things over and over.
Profile Image for Hailey Taber.
22 reviews
August 17, 2025
I am a long time follower of Sally Clarkson but hadn’t read this book yet. It is one of her best! This book will truly help you see life and its challenges the way that God intended. I found so much comfort and encouragement in these pages!
Profile Image for Kelly.
68 reviews
May 2, 2023
A refreshing book about finding joy in the Lord alone.
Profile Image for Katheryn.
124 reviews
May 19, 2014
Truly one of the best books that Sally Clarkson has ever written! Not only was this helpful to me in seeing the patience and perserverance needed in parenting, it was insightful and encouraging in my own journey of Christianity. Sally speaks with such wisdom regarding finding gratitude, joy, and satisfaction in our daily lives, including our trials and struggles. After you read this book, you will have the tools to look towards your circumstances with a Biblical perspective of gratitude and you will feel encouraged and inspired.
Profile Image for Kim.
154 reviews
February 8, 2023
Encouraging as usual

Sally Clarkson's books are so encouraging. She writes like a godly big sister coming alongside you to help you face your problems and sins and overcome them and learn to lean into our living God for help when strength fails and doubts assail.

This older book, still thankfully available on Kindle, is much-needed when many of us are struggling to see hope and find joy. There are so many wonderful quotes to review and in which to find strength "when hands are drooping" which I've copied into my journal for easy reference.

After having read this myself, I'm now enjoying going through it and discussing it with two young moms.


169 reviews4 followers
November 5, 2018
This is an absolutely beautiful book, full of relatable stories and biblical truth. I could very much identify with the struggle Sally describes, to find joy in life when it's full of challenges and difficulty. I loved the emphasis on intimate relationship with God as our Father and how knowing Him changes our perspective and fills us with joy and peace. I think I need to re-read this book often!
Profile Image for John.
984 reviews20 followers
February 17, 2025
This is a good book if you are in the mood for overtly lavished language filled with adjectives and rarer words twined together to give you inspirational thoughts on joy. It gives you stories that can bring hope for you to find joy, and that is a good thing, that it is capable of inspiring. I almost gave it a 3 star because it did not inspire me too much, but because I'm not in the target group for this book I give Clarkson the benefit of the doubt.
161 reviews3 followers
December 19, 2024
I first read this several years ago, a delightful gift from a sweet friend who knew something of the pain and trauma I was healing from.

I've been rereading it over the last few months, savoring the gentle words of truth and wisdom from a mother figure. Written for mothers, but there's so much here for everyone.
3 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2019
This was just what I needed in this season of my life to accept the struggles in front of me and reclaim joy in the process! It was very life changing for my perspective, and my life. I forget quickly, though, and have revisited it several times already.
3 reviews
November 26, 2023
I loved this book. Truly life-altering and a new perspective on peace and joy.
Profile Image for Savannah Petit.
79 reviews
February 26, 2025
I always find so much wisdom from Sally’s writings. I loved this story of determining to lead a hope filled life with a joyful heart even amidst challenges.
Profile Image for Mandy J. Hoffman.
Author 1 book92 followers
April 20, 2010
BOOK RECAP:

The reality of living in a broken, fallen world can leave women feeling overcome by fear, guilt, and weariness. Many develop “sawdust souls,” numb to any sense of joy.

In this warm and wise book, author Sally Clarkson invites readers to take God’s hand and let Him lead them into a life of anticipation, passion, and purpose. With the voice of a trusted mentor, she reveals how, by getting in tune with the rhythm of God’s presence, women can nurture an inner attitude of anticipation and celebration even in the stressful seasons of life.

Through rich biblical insights woven with real-life stories, women will be inspired to recapture a spirit of joy as they follow God’s lead on the dance floor of life.

MY THOUGHTS:

Dancing With My Father is a refreshing read on how we can experience joy in our lives. Each chapter was encouraging and made me think about where joy is or is not in my life. Clarkson writes about dancing with the Father and how He intends for us to have joy in all aspects of our lives, not just at certain times or places.

I especially appreciate this quote from page 55: "Not realizing it, I had built values in my heart and a foundation for a kingdom that was pretty much dependent on this world and on people rather than on God."

This book is a wonderful book for anyone woman to read at any stage of life. Sally shares her own expectations and experiences that we can all relate to and ends each chapter with a series of questions that will help you think through the content and apply it to your own life. Dancing With My Father is not about being happy, but rather about finding true joy even in trials, suffering, and in difficult relationships.

AUTHOR BIO:

Sally Clarkson is a popular speaker, known across the nation and internationally for her work with women. She is the author of several books, including The Mission of Motherhood, The Ministry of Motherhood, and Seasons of a Mother’s Heart. She has worked in various ministries, including Campus Crusade for Christ. With her husband, Clay, she is cofounder of Whole Heart Ministries, which encourages and equips Christian parents. The Clarksons, parents of four, live near Colorado Springs , Colorado .

BOOK DETAILS:

ISBN: 978-0-307-45706-6
Softcover / 206 pages / $13.99
Published by WaterBrook Press

* * * * *

This review copy has been provided courtesy of WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Profile Image for Michelle.
21 reviews13 followers
March 3, 2010
Know Your Dance Partner

Sally Clarkson plays many roles: writer, speaker, wife, mother, missionary and more. Yet she shows that even a strong Christian can still struggles with pettiness, temper, and negative emotions. In her search for joy in a life full of disappointments, frustrations, and day-to-day interruptions, she found solace in a memory of dancing with her father. As he twirled her around the dance floor, she found pure joy. Trying to regain that joy, Clarkson writes a poignant lesson on how to live our lives as if God is our dance partner in her new book, Dancing with My Father.

Each chapter offers a glimpse into Clarkson's personal life, and demonstrates a different aspect of dancing with a partner. In addition to showing us that God is one of love, beauty, and goodness, each chapter is wrapped up with thought provoking questions and prayer.

I found reading this book to be a bit of an emotional roller coaster. It had some slow moments, and some moments where I felt like I was trudging through some of the same old advice. On the other hand, my heart soared through chapter five as it spoke of God as an artist, and I cried as I read the account of Marcy who, dying of ovarian cancer, never lost sight of heaven and wanted to share the way to everyone she loved.

By the time I reached the last page, and the last prayer, I felt I had a better understanding of the nature of God as a good father. Knowing how to be his dance partner means that anyone can find joy in their lives if they just dance.
Profile Image for Janet Reeves.
Author 3 books27 followers
January 16, 2014
Dancing with My Father is the story of one woman's search for God's joy in the midst of any and all circumstances of life. As Sally Clarkson shares her story, she encourages her readers to begin their own.

In the opening chapter, Clarkson tells of sitting on a park bench, feeling cynical, depressed, and overwhelmed. There she remembered happier, more hopeful times and longed to recapture that. Her reflections led her to begin a quest, the results of which she shares in this book. On p. 13, Clarkson says,

“I told [God] that I wanted to reflect his character and reality, that I wanted to love him and be filled every day with his joy, so that others who see me would have a glimpse of God—in my words, in my affection, in my writing, in disappointments and trials, and even in everyday tasks. I longed for him to 'restore to me the joy of my salvation' (Psalm 51:12).”

The following chapters tell how she learned to look for joy in circumstances, in trials, in relationship, in service—truly, in all of life. Relevant Scripture, quotes from other people, and stories from Clarkson's life help the reader understand and see how her ideas can work in their lives. Clarkson closes each chapter with more Scripture to consider woven with challenging, life-application discussion questions and a prayer for the reader to use.

I found the book to be thought-provoking and encouraging. Clarkson met me right where I am. I will want to read this again!
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,579 reviews51 followers
March 3, 2010
How many times have you asked yourself why everything has to be so hard? I know I've asked myself that. As I go through the day to day drudgery of being a stay at home mom, sometimes it's hard to find the joy in life. But joy doesn't depend on our circumstances, it's found in loving and trusting God, and this book was a beautiful illustration of that.

Through stories from her own life, Sally Clarkson tells us how we can find joy--through trials, through experiencing God's creation, through His word . . . God has given us endless things to bring us joy. Each chapter ends with questions so that you can reflect on what you've read. This book would be wonderful for a small group or womens Bible study.

One of the passages from the book says, "When I intentionally asked God to open my eyes to his provision of joy, I began to notice even small, everyday occurrences as a gift, such as the sunrise and sunset." I've realized I need to not only enjoy the beauty of things, but take the time to stop what I'm doing and recognize that those beautiful things I'm seeing are part of God's love letter to me. Dancing With My Father gives wonderful examples of ways to find joy in all things.

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Profile Image for Tabitha.
129 reviews12 followers
July 29, 2016
I normally would not pick up the book Dancing With My Father, by Sally Clarkson, simply because of the title. The word dancing draws me, however my first thought is that it’s a book about father-daughter relationship. Maybe it should say heavenly father. When I read the back of the book, it really interested me. “Are you overwhelmed by weariness, fear, or discouragement?” I’m at one of those “stuck” times in life. Yes, I have hope for the future but I would like to have more joy! The answer to that, Clarkson says, is dancing with God. Did you know I’m a dancer? God definitely placed this book in my lap! It is Scripture based and has wonderful real life stories that make the points real to me. Each chapter ends with the most thought provoking questions I’ve ever had a book ask me, and a beautifully crafted prayer. Clarkson definitely knows the heart of a woman. This book came out of her life. She was at a down place and realized she needed to let go, take God’s hand, and let Him lead her through the dance of life. I would and will definitely recommend this book to every Christian woman out there!

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*

Profile Image for Joann10.
56 reviews3 followers
March 5, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Dancing with My Father by Sally Clarkson



There have been many times in my life, and I am sure in many or your lives, when we ask ourselves, "Why does everything have to be so hard?"
In her book, Dancing with My Father, Sally Clarkson tries to help us find the answer to this question.

Written partly as a memoir and partly as a self help book, the author, in a warm and loving way, strives to challenge us to trust in God to lead us to the gift of everyday joy, no matter what the circumstances we face.
I especially enjoyed the reflection and prayers at the end of each chapter.
With such a shortage of joy in the world today, Dancing with My Father shows us how developing a prayerful, loving, and fatherly relationship with God is the way to discover, or re-discover the joy that can be had in this world on our journey to the everlasting joy we will have with God in heaven.
This book was provided for review by the Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group.
Profile Image for Chickadee.
527 reviews
May 10, 2010


Sally Clarkson knows first hand what it feels like to lose her joy. In her journey back to joy, she discovered that the process begins with a single step, one day at a time, closer to Christ. Sally discovered that when she changed the focus of her heart, she began to find answers. This book is written to share the process that the author used in her own life. Each chapter includes a “Finding Your Rhythm In God’s Joy” section which has a scripture to mediate on and then some questions for self-reflection.

Profile Image for Renée Parks.
113 reviews6 followers
April 19, 2013
This book was truly a blessing to me! It was an encouragement to me on my journey toward understanding true God-given contentment and joy! It's always inspiring to hear the story of someone else who has journeyed this path before me. Sally Clarkson has a beautifully simple yet concise writing style which really makes her books a joy to read. When I read her books it feels like I'm having a heart-to-heart with an old friend over a cup of tea. Her writing is so full of wisdom and love! I look forward to reading every book she has written!
Profile Image for Sandy Mckenzie.
189 reviews33 followers
February 28, 2010
I loved this book and I know it will be one I will re-read many times through the years. The author invites you to experience for yourself what happens when you trust God to lead you into a life of anticipation, passion, and purpose. It as a warm and inviting book. If you are struggling in your walk with God and in finding joy on this fallen earth, I believe Sally's book will be a huge inspiration and encouragement to you.
Profile Image for Trace.
1,033 reviews39 followers
July 6, 2010
One of my all time favorite authors; I've been anticipating this arrival for a long time!! And a dear friend bought it for me for my birthday.. thank you Karen! An update to be posted soon...

UPATE: This was a great read. My favorite author did not disappoint! Its different from her other books in that its not specifically about parenting. But I really liked it!
8 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2012
I thought this book had a lot of really good insights. Although I must admit that some of her writing was pretty cheesy, overall I would recommend it if you feel like you need a few helpful tips on how to cultivate true joy in your life. I wrote down a few different excerpts from her book to go back to when I'm feeling blue. :)
5 reviews1 follower
December 29, 2025
I liked this book- as I generally do love Sally Clarkson's books and blogs. This book helped me to see God as a good and loving parent. The more we open our hearts to this loving God, the more peace and joy we will have, regardless of our circumstances. I especially enjoyed the anecdotes in the book- always touching and always profound.
Profile Image for Rose on aish.
143 reviews10 followers
September 22, 2016
Sally Clarkson talks in this book about having a life of joy through all the different aspects of our lives. She suggests we should let our soul dance with delight in God, guiding us and leading every step with love and faithfulness. I like how she combines her experiences with the theoretical part. She even brought tears to my eyes and made me remember everything about that moment! Awesome!
Profile Image for Denise.
392 reviews2 followers
November 28, 2016
I think someone who was just beginning their walk with God might find this book a little more interesting. I was hoping for something a little more intimate. If you like reading about other peoples travels, this book could also be for you. If you find family videos of worldly vacations with their perfect children nauseating, steer clear of this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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