Day 21

I spent the morning of Day 21 of  The Red Shoe Project, basking in the sun, wiggling my sparkly, RED, painted toe nails! What a wonderful time I had chatting  pool side with a visiting friend! As she inquired about The Red Shoe Project and what was happening in my life, the conversation took an unexpected twist.

I began to share with her something unusual that God had spoken to me just over a year ago, while attending a business conference in San Diego.  As I was waiting for the keynote speaker to move to the podium and share his Million Dollar Secrets... I felt like my brain was suddenly "filled with stuff". Have you ever had two people talk to you at the same time from different directions? You can't really hear what either of them is saying, so you have to focus on one or the other? Well... it was like that.  As much as I wanted to listen and totally receive from the speaker on stage, it was as if someone beat him to it, and filled my mind with a conversation.

With that, I grabbed my writing pad to try and download what was in my mind, hoping to make space for what the keynoter had to say.  It was only as I saw what was pouring out onto the paper, that I realized that God was trying to speak to me.  As I wrote it out, I whispered it to myself and my brain took it all in.  All of a sudden, everything in the room... everyone in the room, seemed so far away.

God said,  "Gail... you are clothing yourself in a way that you think is palatable to people. But there are people who need your message.  They are looking for you, and they can't find you, because you're all covered up.  It's time to get naked and be who you really are!"

Ok... did God just used "naked" in a sentence with me?  YIKES!  I gained my composure and put the notepad down.  I was free to now listen to the speaker I had been waiting for.  But I must admit, his speech didn't have near the impact that God's did!

Really?  Covering up?  Me?  "But God... I thought I was naked?"

When did I take my faith and hide in the closet? 

 I couldn't believe it... but I knew it was true.

After all...   I did care about what people thought... especially business associates.  I didn't want people to perceive me as some sort of religious weirdo.  I didn't want to have to deal with their negative reactions.  I wanted to be "accepted" not rejected.  Just mention God and people are uncomfortable around you.  They roll their eyes, talk about you behind your back, and immediately push you out of their circle.

Really?  With everyone coming out of the closet... 

what am I doing in the closet?  ...with my faith, of all things? 

When did everything flip flop? When did being a good person who loves God become something that people shunned?

I'm not really sure, but this I know... I'm not staying in the closet anymore! I've adorned my feet in RED, and I'm stepping out for all to see.  I'm not worried anymore about what people think. I'd rather people reject me for who I am, than accept me for who I'm not.

And contrary to what people may think, I'm not looking to shove my faith in the faces of people who aren't interested in God. I just want to make sure that the ones who are looking for God can find me so that I can point them in the right direction!

There's a saying...

When remaining where you are becomes more painful, 

than what you fear, 

the time for change has arrived.

I'm inviting you to Celebrate your Faith in Christ with me!

Gail