Day 61 of The Red Shoe Project was awesome! I just totally enjoyed the presence of God. Yes... God is always with me... BUT it's just so much better when I'm "tuned into" His presence... when I feel like He's right there in the room visiting with me. There's such a contentment in my soul! Such a completeness. Such a warmth. And not a care in the world. Ahhhh... God is Good!I woke up this morning, propped up the pillows and reached for my glasses. Before doing anything else, I pulled over my Bible from the bedside table and turned to today's message for the day. I found myself talking -- out loud, quite conversation-like, with God -- asking questions, and telling Him how I felt about things -- reminding Him to remember to watch over my kids (like He needs me to remind Him? ) and then just Thanking Him because I remembered that He's already doing that. Yes, I love Him! I told Him that too. And I just prayed a simple prayer...
"God, lead me today."
A good part of the morning was spent working together on a business project that we're developing. Yes, God is helping me with my business. Next, I spent some time preparing for my classes for the week ahead. Before I knew it, the day had flown by, all too quickly, and it was time for church. I slipped into my RED sparkle shoes and headed out the door.
I know that sometimes it may seem to those around me like all is just glorious, as I flutter around, here and there, in my Ruby Reds. Most of the time, it is pretty sweet. But it's not always that way. I have my confrontations and struggles just like anyone else. There are occasions when I'm down, doubting, and discouraged. But I try my best not to go there, let alone stay there for any length of time. In my opinion, any time spent there is too much time.
Some people wear their emotions on their shirt sleeve. What you see is what you get. My personality is different. I prefer to keep my emotions on the inside until I can get alone, in the prayer closet with God. That's where I wrestle it out. That's just how I do it. It's what works best for me. 
Sometimes I have to go back to that closet, day after day, until I get things resolved. But God is faithful. He always hears me out. LOL. I'm laughing because sometimes I can get a little crazy when an issue arises. He just lets me do my thing -- get it all off my chest. He waits until I wear myself out. Then, and only then, am I capable of listening to what He has to say. I know that doesn't sound religiously appropriate... it's not. But I'm not involved in a religion. I'm involved in a relationship... a relationship with the Living God.
Sometimes I have to go back to that closet, day after day, until I get things resolved. But God is faithful. He always hears me out. LOL. I'm laughing because sometimes I can get a little crazy when an issue arises. He just lets me do my thing -- get it all off my chest. He waits until I wear myself out. Then, and only then, am I capable of listening to what He has to say. I know that doesn't sound religiously appropriate... it's not. But I'm not involved in a religion. I'm involved in a relationship... a relationship with the Living God.
That's not to say that He doesn't correct me when I'm done ranting and raving or crying or questioning. Because He does. But He's so gracious. He knows that I get frustrated and confused. He knows that I hate when I mess up. He knows that I just want to understand. And He knows that I just want to get it right. He knows because I tell him.
You can see why I like to go into the closet to do all of this. It can get a little messy. (LOL). It's really not so messy anymore. I've come a long way in 30 years. I've learned a lot. Some things I've learned the hard way. But most of all, I've learned one-on-one from Him. I've gotten to know Him, better and better, with each issue... each circumstance... each dilemma. That's how I know so well that I can trust Him. Because on the few times that I worked it out on my own... well, let's just say that it didn't work out so well.
Tonight, as I pull on my warm RED socks to crawl into bed, I am focusing on a wonderful thought. I am remembering that scripture,1 Corinthians 13:13...
"And now these three remain:
Faith, Hope and Love.
But the greatest of these is
Love."
Sometimes the issues of life, shouldn't be issues at all. I can make way too much of them. I can get entangled in them. Perhaps the enemy puts them there to distract me... an attempt to cause me to detour... to get off track. I think I need to push this issue aside and pay no notice to it. Yes... There's my word from God today!
I'm going to bed dwelling on the idea of L O V E. Remember, how God told me that my primary focus should be figuring out how to walk in His Love on a consistent and continual basis? Perhaps I'll dream about that tonight.
I'm going to bed dwelling on the idea of L O V E. Remember, how God told me that my primary focus should be figuring out how to walk in His Love on a consistent and continual basis? Perhaps I'll dream about that tonight.
Love to You all,
Gail
