Day 63

Today is Day 63 of The Red Shoe Project and it was jam-packed with activity. It started out with a little quiet time with God in my RED socks.

I'm finally getting consistent with my early morning prayer time.  I hope there comes a day when "missing it" isn't an option, ever. That will be a good thing!  Every now and again, I find myself out the door early and on my way somewhere, when it occurs to me that I haven't even said "Good Morning" to God. That's scary.  Talk about vulnerable -- Going out into the world, spiritually unclothed. Yikes! I know that may seem rather severe to some, but hey, would you go out of the house without make-up? or without brushing your teeth? or without deodorant?


I wonder what I look like without prayer?  Have you ever run out of the house,  just to do a quick errand at the store, and caught a quick glimpse of yourself in a mirror?  Yikes!  I'll never do that again.  What if one of my clients saw me?  What if one of my readers saw me?

My goal is to make a good impression with everyone I meet, and spiritually speaking, what do I look like without a smile?  One Sunday, I caught myself at an early morning church service, without a smile and very grumpy.  It wasn't pretty!  The clash between goodness and grumpiness was too much to handle. I headed home right after service to "adjust" my attitude before I infected anybody.

 Or what if my countenance is dreary and depressed?  Do I really want to share that with the world? As a Christian, my business is to promote positivity. Dressing in depression and despair  is not an option... especially when a few minutes in the prayer closet can fix all that, ever so nicely.

Please know that I'm not pushing a false smile.  What do we call that?  "Wearing a  mask."    No, no.  Authenticity is where it's at.  But in
the same respect, that shouldn't give us liberty to just let it all hang out either.
I prefer to "work it out" and "get myself together" with God.
That way, I can face the world with a real smile, a positive mindset, and an aura of peace and joy.  And let me just add this.  It's not fair to treat my family any less respectfully.  Sometimes it's about not coming out of my bedroom in the morning before being spiritually adjusted, let alone going out of the house.


Now I know that none of us would ever leave the house without brushing our teeth.  Right?  Because we don't want to breathe wretchedness on anyone that we may encounter.  I wonder what could possible come out of my mouth if I didn't brush with God's Word everyday.  Negativity perhaps?  Vulgarity?  Gossip?  Anger?  Foolish Banter?  Jealousy?   There's something to think about. Talk about first impressions?  Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.  Spending time with the Holy Spirit causes self-control to grow in my life.


Or what about a day without deodorant.  Watch out!!!  You can lose a lot of friends, real fast, with that one... not to mention your confidence.  So often that affirming story in the morning devotional is just what I need to keep me confident throughout the entire day.  And it can be "time-released" giving me a boost in the morning, then again in the afternoon.  It even works in those unexpected moments... when something stressful pops up out of nowhere.

I guess it's not just about putting on RED shoes every morning to remind myself to look for God.   It's about wearing God.  Allowing Him to effect me so much that people don't even notice my RED shoes.  Instead, they see Christ in me. Wow!  Now that would be something.  Judges 6:24 says...

"God clothed Himself with Gideon". 

 Maybe someday God will clothe Himself with Gail?
Okay... that's a little heavy duty to be thinking about right now... but you never know what God has in store for you on this Yellow Brick Road called Life.

Until tomorrow,
Gail

Day 62

Today is the 62nd Day of this Red Shoe Project.  I put on  my sparkly RED flats as I headed out the door for church. I didn't think that those RED shoes could stand out any more than they already do, but considering that I was dressed in all black... well let's just say my RED footwear stuck out like a sore thumb. That's okay though, because they were an "in-my-face reminder" to look for God.

There was a special speaker at my friend's church today, so having attended my own church last night, I decided to go for a second course by attending hers this morning.  I got there a little early to get a good seat, only to find out that I had accidentally slipped into the end of the early service.  So I guess that made three services this weekend!  Wow!

There was lots of beautiful worship music there.  The kind you can just close your eyes to and be swept away in.  I enjoyed focussing my attention on the Lord.  One of the young ministers shared something very thought provoking that I find myself thinking about over and over again.

Do you constantly follow after God 

for what He can do for you?

The minister talked about how there's a couple people that just follow after him for what they can get from him.  They aren't really interested in him, only what he can do for them.  Sure, it starts off with a big smile, maybe a hug, some light banter back and forth, but all too quickly it gets down to the fact that they just want something from him.  And it's not just 1 time or 2 or 3 or 4.  It's all the time.  That can wear someone out.  I guess we all know people like that.  Perhaps, if we think long enough, we can remember a time where we've been  like that?  Yikes!

He talked about relationships... like the one between him and his wife.  How conversations can sometimes become about what one person said they'd do for the other, and how it isn't done yet.  He remarked how hungry they can each get for hearing those words, "I love you." "You're wonderful."  "I think you're amazing!"  And after those affirming times, the other person is desperate to do all those wonderful things for the other one, without even being asked.

Then he paralleled that idea with how we can be that way with God.  Do we just find ourselves hungry for God because we need what He can offer us? Do we get into His presence with a smile... maybe lift up our hands to sing a few familiar songs, only to get down to a long request list of what we need from Him? How often do we do that?  Perhaps too often?  

What about just worshipping God 

because He's GOD?

I've decided to spend my day worshipping God in my heart for who He is.  

God Almighty.  The Father of Glory.  The Ancient of Days. The Commander of the Lord's Army.   My Healer.  My Provider.  The God who sees me.  The Everlasting Father. The Creator of all things.  The Bridegroom.  The Alpha and Omega.  The Lord of Hosts.  The Holy One of Israel. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  The Bright and Morning Star.  The Lily of the Valley.  The Prince of Peace.  Wonderful.  Counselor.  The Great I AM.  The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  The Chief Cornerstone.  The Beginning and the End.  The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Ghost.  My Comforter.  My Helper.  My Teacher.  My Advocate.  The Door.  Emmanuel - God with us.  The Bread of Life.  The Light of the World.  The One True God.  The Word.  The Great Physician.  The Lamb of God.  The Friend that sticks closer than a brother.  Our Great High Priest - who was tempted in all ways but sinned not.  The Good Shepherd who goes after the one who is lost. My Rock.  My Deliverer.  My Refuge and My Strength.  My Strong Tower.  My Fortress.  My Shield.  My Hope.  My Righteousness.  The Living God.  My Sure Foundation.  The Way, the Truth, and the Life.  My Redeemer . The Sacrificial Lamb.  Faithful and True.  My Savior.  The Christ.  Messiah.  My Lord.  JESUS.

Now if that doesn't get your heart pumping, I don't know what will.  I'm am just going to ponder this list over and over again on this Sabbath day.  I can feel my spirit simmering within me.

God said, "Take off your sandals, for the place

where you are standing is holy ground."

Exodus 3:5

I think it's time to take off the RED SHOES.  

Gail

Day 61

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. 

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.

Love to You all,

Gail

Day 60

I woke up on this 60th  Day of  The Red Shoe Project and found myself staring at a pile of  RED shoes.  Red flats,  Red flip flops,  Red sneakers,  Red sparkle shoes were all in disarray, heaped on top of one another by my bedroom door.  "That's one powerful pile of shoes," I thought to myself.

Was this God giving me direction for the day? Was He already trying to speak to me?  I wasn't even fully awake yet.  I turned over in my bed, desperately hoping to get some Divine Words from Heaven.  "Where are you God?"  I whispered.  Flipping back over, there they were... the RED shoes,  all staring in my direction.  I just knew my answer from God was in that radiant heap of redness. This was going to be one of those days where I'd have to figure it out for myself.  "Okay,"  I thought,  "Better get started!"

Today was a day of exploration... a day of seeking God... a day of searching for answers.  Have you ever felt like there was something missing, but you couldn't quite put your finger on what it was?  Sometimes I get this strange feeling like there's something inside me -- something awesome -- that hasn't quite manifested itself yet.  I want to know what that secret gift is! What is the key that will unlock that mystery?

I thought about the pile of RED shoes.  My RED shoes are supposed to remind me to LOOK FOR GOD today.  Maybe a "pile" of RED shoes is over-emphasizing the point that today I should REALLY LOOK for GOD... and KEEP LOOKING.  Perhaps it's an encouragement not to give up,  no matter how difficult it may be?

Today was a little difficult. I listened to worshipful music, but couldn't quite break through. I went on a prayer walk, but still felt unresolved.  I watched inspirational clips on my computer, and as good as it all was... I couldn't quite find what I was looking for.

What I did find, though, 

was a great message about 

"Waiting on God."

A very small part of that message, (but one that I can't totally shake), was about "Patience."  I told you that I don't really like waiting.  Actually, I'm probably better at it than most. But as I said, we live in a generation of instant gratification, and in this case, it certainly doesn't help matters when it comes to waiting on God.  

The writer stated that  "We must be EXERCISED in waiting."

There's an interesting thought.  Waiting on God is more than just natural patience.  I may not complain about waiting on God.  And I may not get totally discouraged when things take so long.  But so what?  That's just average. That's just expected. That's the way it ought to be.  But if I'm looking to go to the next level of my faith in Christ... a higher degree of maturity so that God can use me in greater ways...   A patient spirit is a must!

 A "patient spirit"...

• is not fearful.  
• It doesn't worry while waiting.  
• It trusts God to the fullest. 
• It rests in knowing that God is working His plan.  
• So it doesn't rush God for an answer, or for a manifestation, or for the delivery of a promise.  

There's another interesting term that I discovered today.  It's called "The Law of Orderly Development." This is in reference to how God works out His plans in our life.  James 5:7-8 says...

"Be patient then brothers, until the Lord's coming.  

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its 

valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn 

and spring rain.  You too be patient and stand firm, 

because the Lord's coming is near."

The farmer is patient because he understands the process. He knows that first he has to prepare the soil. Then he plants the seed.  Then he waters the crops and waits. The sun shines.  The rain falls.  Time goes by.  The crops grow.  Eventually there is a harvest!  And not a day sooner than it's meant to be.

I can see that God is building my "Patience" muscles through daily exercise.  With this kind of "Spiritual Body Building" God uses a special kind of weights called "DELAYS."  Delays force us to be patient.  They try us again and again.  So when I don't quite respond correctly, that's okay, because we'll practice again tomorrow.  

I'm shaping up while I wait on God.   Hmmmm... I wonder if I need some type of special RED shoes for that?  LOL.

Gail