BAM!
I got spiritually side-swiped!
One evening, when I was a teenager, I was driving down a narrow road in a not so nice part of town. Swooosh! I couldn't believe it! I side-swiped a parked car. It was dark and no one was around. I was so freaked out, I just kept going. Now of course I'm not condoning that in any way, shape or form. I'm mortified that memory has even resurfaced. My gosh -- that was over thirty-five years ago! But after last night, it doesn't surprise me, because that's exactly what it felt like when the mine went off! One minute I was posting my blog and the next minute someone was pushing:
"THE BUTTON."
Not just any button, mind you...
It was "THAT" button.
It was
"MY" BUTTON!
Everyone's got at least one button. It's that one thing you're extremely touchy about, and when someone pushes it, it creates total chaos flipping your life upside-down!
Seriously? How did that happen? And right after I wrote that particular blog?
To be honest with you, I hate confrontations. I'm one of those people that likes everyone to be happy if that's possible. It's not so much that I'm a people pleaser -- I wouldn't go that far, but I like a positive atmosphere where people can grow and thrive! With that said, I'm by no means "a hot head." I rarely raise my voice in anger. I prefer peace. In fact, many have said that I have "a long fuse." Arguing -- yelling -- disputing -- I don't like any of that! And if all it takes is for me to take the high road and say "I'm sorry!" I'll do it for the sake of peacefulness!
BUT...
There's one exception to all that!
Once in a blue moon, someone will sneak in under the radar, lift up the flap, and press "THE BUTTON" When that happens, it's all over -- I just loose it! Call it a family thing. Actually, it's a "kid" thing. There's something about a mother protecting her cubs. The mom looks like a cute and cuddly kitty cat, but WATCH OUT! She'll rip you to shreds if you even think about hurting one of her little ones.
My cubs aren't so little any more -- 27 - 25 - 23 -- All grown up! But no matter how old they get, they'll always be "my kids." I pray for them continually, and I just want what's best for them. If anything or anyone tries to jeopardize their life -- including they, themselves -- I will ferociously rise to the occasion to defend them.
Call it "Mother's Love" but... well, sometimes, when you're kids aren't so young anymore, it needs to be restrained a tad. I had a few words with one of my kids last night. The few words ended up being a long, drawn out, heated conversation, and although some misunderstandings were resolved on both ends, and everyone said they were sorry and made up, I was war torn when it was over. Being the black and white person that I am...
I just wanted to "forget everything!"
-- give up completely --
throw the towel in
and call it a night!
It didn't take me long to figure it out. Hearing those thoughts in my mind, it was so blatant. I had stepped on a land mine! So what was I going to do about it? As I crawled into bed, shut off the light and shut my eyes, I pulled the sheets over my head and whispered,
"Lord, please forgive me of my sins,
and let me into the prayer closet now."
I began lifting my family and friends up, one by one to the Lord. When I didn't know what to say, I just let the Spirit say it for me. He's really good at that.
I woke up this morning, bright and early, a little withdrawn after last night's ordeal. Regardless, I got myself out of bed, into RED shoes, and out the door. I was going to the Pre-Bonfire Prayer Meeting, no matter what! Not only that, I was going to arrive early! I may not have gotten it all right last night, but...
I can pray and I will pray!
Today's Bonfire was exceptional! We never made it to the teaching. The Spirit of God fell upon the group, in great measure, from the very onset. Oh my gosh, I could barely believe my eyes. It was glorious! One gal lay on the floor, wailing and weeping in prayer. She sounded like she was birthing something in the Spirit, right there. Another friend, sat in a chair, and all the women prayed over her. She never got out of the chair for two hours. She just cried and cried and cried. God set her free! Sister Ziva laid her hands on my friend June. Boom! Down June went, slain in the Spirit, and when she got up, she was baptized in the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues!
There had to be twenty plus women in that room, ages 40 - 70. Corporate women, entrepreneurs, artists, writers, stay at home moms, retirees, grandmas. People were lying prostrate on the floor, weeping and calling out to God! Tongues, Interpretations, Prophetic Words made God's presence known. No one was left doubting that God had moved powerfully in our midst. Everyone was touched by God! Praises and prayers went up before the Lord! Some laughed. Some cried. Some sang. Some danced.
And to think that I came this close to missing all that.
That would have been such a tragedy!
Can't wait until next week's meeting!
In RED shoes,
Gail
Hallelujah!
There had to be twenty plus women in that room, ages 40 - 70. Corporate women, entrepreneurs, artists, writers, stay at home moms, retirees, grandmas. People were lying prostrate on the floor, weeping and calling out to God! Tongues, Interpretations, Prophetic Words made God's presence known. No one was left doubting that God had moved powerfully in our midst. Everyone was touched by God! Praises and prayers went up before the Lord! Some laughed. Some cried. Some sang. Some danced.
Everyone was set free
in one sense or another!
Talk about Spiritual Gifts! We never got to the teaching, but God gave us a living illustration of many of them. All in all, God definitely spoke a Word to us. Long story, short, He said that...
He died on the cross for our freedom!
Freedom from sickness. Freedom from worry.
Freedom from pain.
Freedom from whatever we
find ourselves in bondage to.
Now, it's our job to walk in that Truth!
That would have been such a tragedy!
Can't wait until next week's meeting!
In RED shoes,
Gail
