Day 31

It's Day 31 of  The Red Shoe Project - One entire month of wearing RED shoes and focusing on The Power and Presence of God in my life.  Yahoo!!!  I did it!  ...only 11 more months to go!  LOL.

Someone asked me today if I went out, at the beginning of the year, and bought several RED shoe options.  Not really.  I had my original, high-end, Ruby Slippers that I wear on special occasions, (like when I'm speaking). And there were a couple pairs of Crimson Red high heels in the back of my closet, that I've put to good use.  But as many of you know... I found out, real fast, that a comfy pair of Scarlet flats and flip flops were essential!  My daughter, Grace, agreed, and quickly gifted me with those. I've also, (with the help of a friend), transformed an old comfortable pair of ballet flats into glittery RED magical shoes of my own. And a girlfriend surprised me with a cute pair of red sandals. So I guess you could say I'm building my RED SHOE Wardrobe as I go.

All said and done, though, this Red Shoe Project has been so much more than a closet full of RED foot wear. My life is being transformed, one day at a time, and I can't wait for each and every day to see what God has in store for me.  Adventure.  Lessons.  Truths.  Overcoming Fears. Miracles.  And most of all... developing a deeper relationship with The King of Kings.  How great is that? 

I'm not sure if this comes across 

in the blog or not, 

but this Red Shoe Project  

isn't some fictional piece I'm writing. 

It's my life!   It's real. 

And I'm letting you look in the window.

Today, for example, something really interesting happened.  After facilitating a class this morning and then having lunch with a business colleague, I headed back to my home office, and couldn't resist a quick stop at the local Goodwill Bookstore for a little inspiration. (What can I say... this particular one has a plethora of motivational and inspirational writings!) 

While glancing at the shelves, I came across a small devotional entitled,  Jesus Calling  by Sarah Young.  I have heard several women mention lately that they simply love this book!

As I looked at the cover, I wondered, "Could Jesus be calling to me?"  I turned the pages to today's date. Ok, this was strange.  The book looked brand new, but this particular page had something underlined with pen that grabbed my attention immediately.  I took a closer look and  read it.  It was "right on!" There was God telling me not to worry, but to trust Him and to draw closer to Him in this challenging time.

All day I had been pondering yesterday's blog, about letting go, giving up control and going with the flow.  It's so easy to say "Just do it!" But, just doing it isn't always as easy as it sounds. Ya know?  As much as I'm trying to let go of the old and embrace the new.  It's still a little scary. I know I have to let go -- And I totally want to let go. But for some reason my hands are still holding on tight! And when I try to pry my fingers loose... I feel like the Holy Spirit whispers...

"Your trying too hard, Gail. This isn't that difficult!"

So you can imagine how I felt when the one part of this book I happen to read seems specifically directed to me and my dilemma...  not to mention that whoever owned this book before me, underlined it!  But maybe that was just a coincidence?  I flipped through the book, and there was another underlined message. 

"When you are plagued by a persistent problem - one that goes on and on - view it as a rich opportunity."

 Once again, the wisdom shared seemed perfectly directed to me and my concern. O.K. Jesus has my attention now... BUT, even still... Is God calling to me, personally?  I flipped through the pages one last time.  There was no other writing in the book, whatsoever, but what was this? -- just a page with a corner folded.  For the fun of it, I decided to take a closer look. There it was... Advice about CHANGE.

"To receive My Peace you must

  change your grasping, controlling stance 

to one of openness and trust."

O.k. so I know what you must be thinking.  "You're stretching this a little bit far, aren't you, Gail?" I don't know,  am I?  I'm right in the middle of this RED SHOE PROJECT, looking for God's Power and Presence in the middle of my every day life. I'm dealing with concerns and asking for God to speak to me specifically. I'm hoping He'll recognize my unique concern and give me divine direction. 

With that,  I walk into a bookstore, take a book off the shelf, open it to today's date, and the message, that just happens to be underlined, speaks specifically to me! And then the one other message in the book that's underlined confirms God's ability to be specific. And finally, if that weren't enough, I look at a dog- eared page and He gives specific guidance for what I need to do now? Just seems like God's answering me!

I looked down at my shiny, RED SHOES and decided,

Im choosing to BELIEVE... What about you?

Gail