Day 140

Day 140 of  The Red Shoe Project found me awake, out of bed and in the Secret Place at 4:30 a.m.  That seems to be my wake up time here.  At first I thought this was just "jet lag syndrome"  but no...  He is gently waking me each morning and calling me out to the garden for special  "morning time"  with Him.  How can I possibly resist that?  My soul yearns to hear His voice, know His heart, and find out what His plans are for the day.  No one else, nothing else can pry me out of bed at that early hour,  but Him.  I hear the birds singing and next thing I know, there I am, in front of the garden window,  in my jammies and RED socks,  looking for Him, calling to Him,  listening with open ears...  "Jesus!"

Today there were technical issues with the internet, thereby the postings were significantly delayed.  Nevertheless, I was found up and about Dundee, Scotland in my RED shoes.  The relatives had us everywhere imaginable, from one side of town to the other.  We drove up and down the streets of several old neighborhoods where we once lived.  
My older sister has an incredible memory and was able to point out specific places and filled in the gaps with the most detailed stories from her childhood.  How interesting it all was... but there was something I couldn't quite put my finger on.  I'm not sure what it was.  It seemed right there in front of me, but I just couldn't figure it out.

Our journey continued to the top of the Law Hill.  What a sight to see.  It gave a 360 degree view of the entire land.  The fog was slowly settling in.  The weather was cold and damp.  That's just how it is here.  Way too cold and dismal for this Floridian.  I'm missing the warmth of my home and my family, my friends, and my puppy.  Routine is far away.  "Go with the flow"  is once again today's agenda.

Our tour continued as we visited two big ships:  The Discovery and The Unicorn.  The Discovery is all about the British sea exploration of Antarctica. How fascinating!  The Unicorn, on the other hand,  was another British ship that we happened, just by chance, to stop in on.

There wasn't much to see on The Unicorn,  at least not in comparison to The Discovery, which is more like a fully equipped museum, not to mention, it's Dundee's #1 tourist attraction.  But God brought me to The Unicorn for a very specific reason.

I think The Unicorn is the oldest British navy vessel still afloat.  It didn't have much to see onboard.  In fact, I almost wondered if it was rightfully open to the public.  For a tourist attraction, it was empty and quiet.  It didn't seem to have its act together. Much of it was closed off.

It was dark inside.  The ceilings were incredibly low, the steps absurdly steep.  It seemed a bit of a hazard.  Surely someone over the years has hurt themselves in this place.  Did we actually pay to get in here?  But God had a plan and this was part of it.  For as insignificant and off the beaten path that this stop seemed, it housed another unique gift that God had promised me at Sozo.

To think that I just listed all the things He's been physically manifesting in my life on this trip and here was yet another one.  It was one of the few artifacts on board, and one that I could actually pick up in my hands, hold and examine closely.

It was two pair of steel shackles. You can imagine how blown away I was to see this living depiction.  First, it was a clear sign that God is very much in control of my steps on this trip. A confirmation of the prophesy spoken over me in advance.  And second, it was yet another confirmation that my God is The God of Details.  There wasn't just one pair of shackles.  No, God presented two.  The picture I had posted on Pinterest several weeks ago, of God's gifts to me, was just that:  Two pair of shackles, one locked, one open.

I must have looked ridiculous when I came off that ship, smiling from one ear to the other.  It was a secret thing!  A thing between me and God.  It was a most intimate reminder of what my Savior has done for me.  For not only has He set me free from sin and death, He has set me free from the darkness of my past in this place.  I'm free!

Now there's something to be happy about!
I've traded in broken shackles for RED shoes.
I'd say I got the best of that deal, wouldn't you?

Gail