Day 189

On this 189th Day of  The Red Shoe Project,  I am relaxing in my RED shoes, sipping Chai Tea and pondering one specific thought:

"First Impressions"

First Impressions are how you size someone up when you meet them for the first time... Or how they size you up.  LOL.  The dictionary says this...

"An impression is an idea, feeling or opinion  

about something or someone, especially 

one formed without conscious thought 

or on the basis of little evidence."

Over the years,  I've found that my first impressions are not always accurate.  Some of my closest friends were people I didn't really like when I first met them.  LOL.  Then when I got to know them, my opinion significantly changed.  On the other hand, some of the people I thought I'd really like, I didn't care for, once I got to know them.  Hmmm.

Today, however, I've thrown all that out the window. 

 I've come to realize that  

my first impressions of people

 are somewhat useless 

when it comes to ministry.  

People these days are so good at putting up fronts.  They wear masks.  So often they project what they want you to see, not who they really are.  Rightfully so, people tend to keep their deepest secrets, hurts, and fears way, way back in the closets of their hearts and minds.  They are hidden so deeply, that even they have forgotten about them. Remember the old saying,  

"Out of sight, out of mind?"

Over the years, while visiting various tourist attractions, I've often taken advantage of those huge binoculars.  For a nominal fee, your view can be significantly enlarged.  What you can barely see with your eyes, suddenly becomes up close and personal.  Talk about insight.  Even still... only God can see into a person's soul.

From this day forward,  I'm asking The Holy Spirit for His Impression of the people I meet. What is it that He sees that is hidden to me?  What is it that He knows is of greatest importance in that person's life?  What does He want me to know about the person I'm meeting?

Lord!  Make that impression on my heart!

Blind me from the obvious and show me what You want me to see.  Then tell me what to do with it.

Kicking back in my RUBY REDS

and praying that through!

Gail

Day 188

It's Day 188 of The Red Shoe Project and I can be found in my little RED slip-ons,  typing away at the computer,  getting caught up on some work.  My house guests are gone, so I'm tying up loose ends and weaning myself back into the old routine.  Yes!  It's no secret... I love my routine!  That said, it was a good few days with family and friends.  All went well.  I got some much needed time with loved ones, without getting caught up in the busyness of it all and missing the fun stuff!  

As I was driving today, thinking about the ones I love most, the topic of  "The Father's Love" once again filled my mind.  As well as this weekend went, I can't help wondering,

"How can I love my family in greater measure?

Is it possible for me to love them 

in the way God, The Father, loves me?"

I haven't met up with that couple yet that teaches on "The Father's Love" but it is plain to see that God is already preparing my heart for that meeting.  He has begun the work without them.  He is softening my heart to receive their teaching.  He is stirring my spirit with excitement and anticipation.  Am I about to have surgery?  A heart transplant, perhaps?

I'm placing my order now 

for a heart that is capable 

of receiving as much of the 

Love of God that the Father 

is willing to pour out on me. 

I can already hear the voice in the back of my mind crying out, "Be careful what you wish for!"  My response to that is, "Be quiet! I will ask my Father for whatever I want!"

I started to daydream for a moment while pondering that thought.  I pictured myself tearing open my chest for God to be able to pour into my heart.

"God... What must I do to 

receive all that you have for me?

How can I open my heart

wide enough?"

A song popped into my mind.  It was that old time hymn, by Lelia Morris,

Bring Your Vessels Not a Few.

Are you looking for the fullness 
of the blessing of the Lord
in your heart and life today?
Claim the promise of your Father, 
come according to His Word,
in the blessed old time way.

He will fill your heart today 
to over-flowing.
As the Lord commandeth you, 
"Bring your vessels, not a few."
He will fill your heart today 
to over-flowing
with the Holy Ghost and power.

This song is taken from one of my favorite Bible stories. ( 2 Kings 4:1-7). 
There was a widow who had two sons who came to Elisha for help.  She was in desperate financial need.  Her deceased husband's creditor was coming to take her two sons as slaves.  She possessed nothing...  but a little oil.  Elisha told her to go and gather as many jars as she could from her neighbors.  He made it a point to stress, "not a few."   She was to collect as many as possible, and pour the oil into them.  As she poured the "little bit"  of oil into the jar,  it multiplied until all the jars she collected were completely full.

In the same way, I want to open my heart as much as possible, to get all that God will give me.  I'm realizing that means that I must do a little house cleaning.  I've got to get rid of all the stuff in there that doesn't belong -- that's unnecessary --  that's not that important -- that's just taking up space.

I've got to make room!

Surely if I can clean out my closet...

if I can clean out my garage... 

I can clean out my heart. 

Those were tough jobs. 

I'm sensing that this will be just as 

difficult,  maybe harder.  

But I'm determined!  

Is it time for a yard sale?

I'm making room for Daddy.

In RED shoes, 

Gail