Day 21

I spent the morning of Day 21 of  The Red Shoe Project, basking in the sun, wiggling my sparkly, RED, painted toe nails! What a wonderful time I had chatting  pool side with a visiting friend! As she inquired about The Red Shoe Project and what was happening in my life, the conversation took an unexpected twist.

I began to share with her something unusual that God had spoken to me just over a year ago, while attending a business conference in San Diego.  As I was waiting for the keynote speaker to move to the podium and share his Million Dollar Secrets... I felt like my brain was suddenly "filled with stuff". Have you ever had two people talk to you at the same time from different directions? You can't really hear what either of them is saying, so you have to focus on one or the other? Well... it was like that.  As much as I wanted to listen and totally receive from the speaker on stage, it was as if someone beat him to it, and filled my mind with a conversation.

With that, I grabbed my writing pad to try and download what was in my mind, hoping to make space for what the keynoter had to say.  It was only as I saw what was pouring out onto the paper, that I realized that God was trying to speak to me.  As I wrote it out, I whispered it to myself and my brain took it all in.  All of a sudden, everything in the room... everyone in the room, seemed so far away.

God said,  "Gail... you are clothing yourself in a way that you think is palatable to people. But there are people who need your message.  They are looking for you, and they can't find you, because you're all covered up.  It's time to get naked and be who you really are!"

Ok... did God just used "naked" in a sentence with me?  YIKES!  I gained my composure and put the notepad down.  I was free to now listen to the speaker I had been waiting for.  But I must admit, his speech didn't have near the impact that God's did!

Really?  Covering up?  Me?  "But God... I thought I was naked?"

When did I take my faith and hide in the closet? 

 I couldn't believe it... but I knew it was true.

After all...   I did care about what people thought... especially business associates.  I didn't want people to perceive me as some sort of religious weirdo.  I didn't want to have to deal with their negative reactions.  I wanted to be "accepted" not rejected.  Just mention God and people are uncomfortable around you.  They roll their eyes, talk about you behind your back, and immediately push you out of their circle.

Really?  With everyone coming out of the closet... 

what am I doing in the closet?  ...with my faith, of all things? 

When did everything flip flop? When did being a good person who loves God become something that people shunned?

I'm not really sure, but this I know... I'm not staying in the closet anymore! I've adorned my feet in RED, and I'm stepping out for all to see.  I'm not worried anymore about what people think. I'd rather people reject me for who I am, than accept me for who I'm not.

And contrary to what people may think, I'm not looking to shove my faith in the faces of people who aren't interested in God. I just want to make sure that the ones who are looking for God can find me so that I can point them in the right direction!

There's a saying...

When remaining where you are becomes more painful, 

than what you fear, 

the time for change has arrived.

I'm inviting you to Celebrate your Faith in Christ with me!

Gail

Day 20

This morning I was looking rather nautical in my navy and white striped top, navy capris, and RED flats.  And I was so warmly greeted, at the door of the church, by my friend, Wes, who was focusing his attention on my feet to see for sure if I was, in fact, wearing RED shoes!  "You're following me on Facebook?" I asked.  "Absolutely," he responded.  "It's day 20, I believe, right?" Yes... it is Day 20 of   The Red Shoe Project, and I am realizing that we have quite a few men joining us on this Yellow Brick Road journey towards greater awareness of the Power and Presence of God in our daily lives.  I love it!

Twenty days... They say that when you've done something for twenty-one days it officially becomes a habit. (One more day to go!)  You know, I'm realizing that things are changing for me with this Red Shoe Project.  Not that didn't think that they would, (of course, it's inevitable!), but I didn't expect to see so much change in such a short period of time.  First... my life is changing on the outside.  I've made some specific choices to spend more focused time with God.  So my routine has changed... what I do, where I go,  how I spend my time.  Second... I'm beginning to notice that those choices are causing a  TRANSFORMATION on the inside of me. I can feel a stirring in my spirit. My thoughts, my perspective, my heart, my feelings... somethings happening to them.

It's funny... the Red Shoe Project is about making an effort to look for God everyday in the world around me... but I'm realizing, more than ever, that He's also doing a work in me!

I've also noticed that Spending my time, CONSISTENTLY, with God is THE KEY to opening the door that leads to a deeper relationship with Christ.

Deeper... Fuller... More Powerful... More Magnificent!

Here's a Truth I've discovered:

Thinking about God is just not 

the same as Being with God.  

For example, thinking about a dear friend, brings great memories and feelings to mind. But that doesn't even compare to actually spending the day with that friend...  maybe having lunch or meeting for coffee, going bowling, or just hanging out and talking about things.  Right? One is thinking about the memories, where the other is making the memories.

With The Red Shoe Project, I'm walking it out.  Who wants to settle for memories of old, when there's still time to experience the real thing?  I'm living it!  I am developing a "New Normal"...  A life in RED SHOES.  A life of true Divine Partnership.

What about you?
Gail

Day 19

Some days are for outside adventures, but Day 19 of  The Red Shoe Project kept me house-bound in my warm, RED SOCKS, hand-made by Granny.  I know it's a little late in the year... but my goal today was to take down our big Christmas tree and pack away any left behind holiday decorations. I popped on Pandora to my "worship" track and enjoyed the entire afternoon with Him.

I must admit I always dread packing everything up.  The house at Christmas is filled with so much warmth and magic!  I love those twinkle lights!!!  And many of those ornaments warm my heart and make me smile.

I purposely left my favorite ornament on the tree until the very last possible moment.  When all else was packed in the box, I reached up and took down "Dorothy's Ruby Slippers".  You know they have such significant meaning for me. (The Power and Presence of God in my life).  But this time, God whispered in my ear...

"They'll be o.k. packed away for a year... 

besides you'll be wearing real ruby slippers every day". 

Not to mention the fact that it's not just that I'm wearing RED SHOES everyday... Even more,  I'm living in the True Power and Presence of God every day with this Red Show Project!

That being said, today was nothing short of an Amazing Afternoon with The Teacher. (The Holy Spirit). It was a day filled with Divine Wonder as He revealed to me something magnificent.

Do you remember doing "Connect the Dots" pictures as a kid?  I loved those!  Each dot was numbered, and you had to connect the dots consecutively in order to discover the full picture... which until you completed the task, was a total mystery.

Today the Holy Spirit showed me how all these little, random things in my past are connected to one another.  Events, People, Conversations, Trials... right down to very specific details.

(It's funny how you can't see how anything connects when you're in the middle of it.)  

He connected the dots to show me the details, so that I'd see for myself that all along He's had a plan.  And although those details seem random, and in many cases insignificant, when He connected the dots for me... 

WOW! It all came together with such brilliance!  

Remember I had just mentioned a couple days ago, (Day 17), how God had told me to TRUST HIM and KNOW THAT HE HAS A PLAN?  Well, I love this about Him.  He always comes back and reinforces the things he tells me so that I know that He's really speaking to me.  And that's what he did today.  It was a living illustration!

And in seeing how His plan for me was so intricately woven together in the past, 

I am assured that it is the same in the days ahead.

Steve Jobs closes us tonight with these words of wisdom:

I am praising God for His magnificent orchestration in the plan He has for me!

 I do BELIEVE!  I do.  I do. I do.

Be encouraged!  I know He's got a brilliant score for you as well!

With love,
Gail

Day 18

Today is the 18th day of  The Red Shoe Project  and I spent it with one of my dearest friends... Bonnie.  She's a true woman of God, and a spiritual mentor. I was appropriately dressed in my RED shoes as I hopped into her RED car and off we zoomed for a Day of Adventure.

We found a cozy nook at The Garden Room Cafe @ Shoogie Boogies, in Towles Court.  We delighted in a magnificent lunch featuring a most wonderful cream of mushroom soup, spinach quiche, fresh fruit, and a soothing Hot Pear and Ginger Tea on the side.  We started off our conversation with a prayer and the two of us got lost in the wonder of His Presence for over two hours. I guess you could say that the "3" of us had lunch.

What did we discuss?  Hopes and Dreams. Books that need to be written. Prophetic Plans that include a Victorian House and Divine Destiny.  What God is doing.  Words He's Whispered in our hearts. Breath-taking secrets the Master has revealed.  A Desire to go Deeper... to know Him more.  The Wonder of His Word. The Glory in Giving... and so much more!

Today my heart is bursting with gratitude. I'm thankful that God has placed this remarkable friend in my life to walk the Yellow Brick Road with me for awhile! You meet a lot of people in Oz.  Some are treasures.... for a day? ...for a season?   ...for a long time?   ...for a life time?  Only God knows.

We're like two little girl friends.  She's just 3... and I like to twirl in my Red Mary Janes.  We nibbled on strawberries and grapes, but mostly we feasted on friendship!  I'm going to enjoy her company for as long as I can.

Is there someone that God has specifically placed in your life to encourage you? motivate you? Challenge you to go further with Him? Is there someone who prays you through the difficult times? Laughs with you? Cries with you? Offers up a Word of Wisdom just when it's needed most?  Listens to you?  Enjoys your Company?

Enjoy her.  Treasure her. Honor her. Be a blessing to her. Thank God for her.  And of course, make sure she has something RED to wear on her feet!

Gail


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