Day 309 and 310

I thought I had the answer on this 309th Day of  The Red Shoe Project.  I gathered together a small group of solid Christian women for counsel, hoping for wisdom on what direction to take at this point.  I shared with them my story, my heart, and what I thought might be divine guidance.   Could God be beckoning me to move through a door? 

"Where there is no counsel, 
the people fall; 

but in the multitude of counselors 

there is good advice."  

Proverbs 11:14

Sporting my RED shoes, I laid out the plan.  All agreed it looked good.  It seemed to be divinely put together and set in my lap.  It had all the markings of God.  What astonished me most was not so much that it met my personal need, but it blew open a door of unexpected creativity.   Next thing I knew, I was offered a speaking opportunity in December and a potential conference early in the new year.  That's not the half of it.  There was a ripple effect.   Divine opportunity seemed to be bursting forth for everyone present.  It's a glorious thing seeing God move like that! 

With the blessing of my colleagues, I made up my mind to "test the waters."  I'd step through the open door that seemed so divinely presented and go from there.  What a relief!   NOT.  As I stepped through what I thought was a threshold of opportunity, I was met with an unexpected onslaught of verbal bashing.  It was a "NO GO!"  Slowly, I backed out and shut the door behind me.  Now, here I sit at Starbucks, licking my wounds and drinking my second cup of chai.  

Where are you God?  What's the next step?  I see nothing -- no open door -- no specific direction.  But... 

I am reminded of an old sermon I once heard.  It was a lesson in which the preacher talked about a rock climber reaching upward to get a grasp on something in order to pull himself up.  His hold gave way and he found himself slipping down the face of the rock.  

Lost ground!  

He picked himself up and started back where he last had a strong footing.   Hmmmmm.  Where did I last have strong footing?    I believe it was when God told me  "everything I was looking for was in the prayer closet."   I shall spend tonight there -- in the closet -- looking for direction.  Surely it's there.

Determination is:
perseverance,  
persistence,  
and 
tenacity!

This girl in RED shoes is not giving up!

Gail  


Day 310

I was up at the crack of dawn of this 310th Day of  The Red Shoe Project.  Last night was spent in prayer and I do believe I have received direction from God.  I popped on my Ruby Reds and headed out to take care of some early morning business.  It was a profitable morning and I am feeling good!

It's interesting... yesterday I prayed with a gal for healing and it came to my attention that she harbored a lot of anger and unforgiveness.  I told her...

"You have got to release 
that in order for 
God to move!"

Later in the day, I had a conversation with a dear friend about anger and forgiveness.  It seems that it's a matter of choice.  One must choose, before God, to let go and release.  It can't be about feelings.  Feelings will cause you to hold on.

After the escapade of the verbal bashing, I had to do just that... Let Go!   I'm not one to take offense, but some hurtful things were said to me.  I made it a point to get with God, talk it out, and let it go!  Are you kidding me?  The last thing I need now is the obstacle of unforgiveness in my path!  God gloriously took it, and I am free to move forward without hesitation.  Hallelujah!  I know that is a sign of blessing and favor.  

Having prayed and slept on things, I am not upset at going through yesterday's door.  Yes... it didn't turn out as I expected,  BUT I needed to check that option out.  With that door closed, I am now free to explore other opportunities.  If I hadn't done that, I would always be thinking,  "What if?"

As instructed, I have brought my Bible in the prayer closet with me.  I have been reading in 1 Kings 17 about Elijah.  It does seem that the ravens that have been feeding me are not returning, and the brook has run dry.  Like Elijah, I have been waiting on direction from God.  Today... I have left that dried up place and stepped out by faith to discover the next phase of God's plan for me.

I have prayed very specifically for God to open and shut doors.  With that, I am not boxing God into my small ideas and expectations.  I have no clue what's next! Yet,  I am believing, by faith that...

 "The steps of a righteous man 

are ordered by the Lord;

and He delights in his way.  

Though he fall, he shall not 

be utterly cast down: 

for the LORD holds him up 

with his hand."

Psalm 37:23-24 

I know it's time to get up and move.  As I walk, He will guide.  He will turn me in this direction or that.  Sitting at the dried up brook is no longer an option.    I am not scared.  It's time for a new adventure.  Here I go...

in RED shoes,

Gail

Days 307 & 308

It's Day 307 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I've slipped on my comfortable RED beach shoes and have been helping my daughter pack up the fourteen foot  U-Haul.  I can't believe that her and Pauly will be taking off for Jersey tomorrow.  That will be their new home.  Pauly will be an official Jersey Boy!

Optimistically speaking, financial challenges have made things a little uncomfortable.  I am continuing to worship the Lord and waiting on Him for direction.  Quite frankly, I'm a little confused.  I've done all He has asked of me, on every count.  The ball is in His court now and I am patiently waiting His return.

What I was anticipating, has not happened.  Why is that?  I don't know.  Divine Timing perhaps?  Many have questioned my ways, and the multitude of voices in my head have thought it fit to join in their choir of discouragement.   Being the recipient of their verbal downloads, one after the other, has been incredibly wearisome.  Others have backed away.  They don't know what to think.  They are hoping for my sake, I have heard from God.  They would like that.  They tell me their prayers are with me -- I'm thankful for that.

Today, I am doing my best to worship the Lord and believe that He will still come through.  Many have already offered up their  "I told you so!  Go out and get a job!"  It's not that I haven't considered that, but God has been so adamant on the matter -- I hate to go there so quickly.  So quickly?  Many thought I should have done that months ago... some thought I should have done that January 1st.  This RED Shoe Project, though interesting, is not big enough, in their eyes, to shelf one's life for a year.

My foot has been pain free all day.  It is no longer in the shape of a big baseball.  Instead the swelling has spread and my injured foot and ankle is almost double the size of the other.  To be honest, there's part of me that just wants to sit down and cry.  I feel alone. But there's no time for any of that.  I need to hold together until tomorrow.  I need to get my daughter off and on her way.  Besides... perhaps things will change between now and then.  "One more day!"

A couple "rubies" have texted me wonderful words of prayer and encouragement.  Their voices are refreshing streams of water to my soul.  THANK YOU, my friends.  Just knowing you're on my side and that you're praying is strengthening!

It's hot in the house and Pauly is not used to that.  His panting is relentless.  I have moved my bedding to the living room floor in hope that he will find comfort lying on the cool tile, and perhaps we will get a little sleep.  It's not quite how I pictured our last night. Even so, he has turned down his tile bed, planted himself  beside me on the comforter,  and is insistent that he cuddle close.  I guess that's how he pictured our last night together.  He's true to the end!  LOL.  I hope I am as faithful to God -- True to the end...

 in RED shoes,

Gail


Day 308

My daughter, Jordan, her friend Patty and Pauly are officially "on the road"  on this 308th Day of  The RED Shoe Project!  God grant them traveling mercies!  I was concerned that Pauly wasn't going to be able to get into the cab of the truck, but he surprised us all, by jumping up with excitement.  All he needed was a little boost!  He sees the whole thing as one big adventure.  I am reminding myself to do the same as I put on my RED flip flops for the day!

I have headed out to Starbucks where I am charging my phone and laptop, and getting caught up with my facebook postings.  Please stay with me.  I am committed to this RED Shoe Project and will  keep writing each day, doing my best to post on time.  Know that your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Today a dear sister read a recent posting of mine and shared her morning devotional with me.  The scripture reference was Acts 12:5...  

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: 

but prayer was made without ceasing 

of the church unto God for him"

The author talked about God baptizing people with Holy Audacity and Divine Confidence!  

"Audacity"  is the willingness to take bold risks.

A. B. Simpson said, 

" He is not wanting great men, 

but He is wanting men who will 

dare to prove the greatness of their God!"

What an awesome word and how apropos!  It has brought excitement to my soul!  I am standing on this for today for it is in alignment with what God has spoken to me.  THANK YOU dear sister for your obedience in sharing that word of Divine Encouragement!  May God reward you for it!  

Meanwhile, another dear sister has offered to ice my foot for me and share a cup of tea.  I am off to pay her a visit now...

in my RED flip flops,

Gail  

Day 306

It's Day 306 of  The Red Shoe Project and some things have "come to a head."  That's an expression used to describe when all the yucky stuff comes to the surface -- like a pimple!  GROSS!

My eyes were barely open.  I was still in bed.  I took a few minutes, regardless,  to worship the Lord and told Him how much I love Him!  The dream of yesterday's time together was still fresh on my mind.

Looking at the time, I picked up my cell and connected with my prayer pal.  Might as well get the prayer line going!  She showered me with bold and encouraging words!  She was holding strong with her own dilemmas and added mine to her list.  I wasted no time in throwing on my RED sneakers and headed out for an early prayer walk.  I was eager to hear from God on the matter.

  I did have an overwhelming peace.

 That's a GOOD sign!

I was about a mile from my house.  I had left the development and headed out into the real world to walk for a bit.  For a quarter mile, I'd be on a busy road with traffic, but soon enough, I'd be back on a walking path that's more subdued. It was the perfect prayer trail!

As I stepped off the curb to quickly cross the street,  BOOM!  down I went.  YIKES!   I don't know what happened, but there I lay on the main road, my knee bleeding and my ankle twisted.  Oh no!  I couldn't get up for the life of me, and the traffic light had changed to green.  There I was crawling to the sidewalk to get out of the way.   Looking back on it now... I can laugh, but at the time, it was a little scary.  I quickly assessed the situation.  The wind had been knocked out of me.  With that, I hobbled back to the development.  Perhaps I was meant to stay closer to home for the day?

I got home just fine, but by then my ankle was black and blue and the size of a baseball.  I situated myself on the lanai, by the pool, and wrapped my ankle with an ice pack.  There I stayed for the rest of the day... worshipping and praying, all the same.  It was a profitable time of prayer.  The peace of God surrounded me.

Regarding my personal dilemma, the Lord kept saying...

"Speak it out, Gail!  

Speak it into existence!"

And so, I did just that.  Between words of prayer and songs of worship, I called out the promises of God - not in hope that they will happen, but as if they already are happening!   I will continue in this fashion until I see it!

"...even God, who quickens the dead, 

and calls those things which be not 

as though they were."

Romans 4:17b  KJV

My prayer pal is doing just the same.  We are in one accord on this!  There's no way, I'm going to let her climb to the top of God's majestic mountain alone and get the victory.   How awful would that be for her to plunge in her personal flag of conquest on the mountaintop, while I retreated to the valley in despair, a loser?  Yeah... there's no way I'm going to let that happen.  We are in this together to WIN!

"If God is for us, who can be against us?"  Romans 8:31

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us."  Romans 8:37

"A three-fold cord is not easily broken!"  Ecclesiastes 4:12

"Pray without ceasing!"  1 Thessalonians 5:17

"To Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us..."  Ephesians 3:20

What's this I found in the back of my prayer closet?  I do believe it's referred to as "Old Pentecostal Prayer."   Man... I haven't used this in decades!  I'm trusting it still works!!!

God must have something BIG in store

to pull this out of the closet!

This is a spiritual battle of great magnitude, but my friend and I are praying it down until we get the victory!  Old Pentecostal Prayer is the perfect weapon of choice!

In Red Shoes,
Gail

Day 305

Today is Day 305 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I was up and out the door in RED sneakers,  prayer walking, bright and early.  After that... it was a day of prayer and worship.  That's right... I said a DAY.   It didn't start off that way, but it ended up that way.  It all changed when the Lord said...

"Please don't go...  

Spend the whole day with Me!  

I'd really like that."

Really? I asked.

"Yes,"  He said, "Really!"

It's not like I had anything on my calendar.  I could do it if I wanted to.  There was no place I had to be -- No necessary appointments.  

Okay Lord...  

I will stay!"

I grabbed my laptop (for music), my Bible, my journal and a pen.  I sat on the lawn chair, in the shade, by the pool.  I stayed there, all day,  worshipping, chatting with God, and looking at scriptures in the Bible.  It was wonderfully peaceful.  God is the best company.  

I'm convinced I need to do this more often!

As I sat there quietly in His presence, with my eyes closed, the Holy Spirit put a song on my lips.  I had long forgotten this old favorite.  It was a delight to let it roll off my tongue.  Perhaps you remember it?

"I just want to be where You are...

Dwelling daily in Your presence.

I don't want to worship from afar.

Draw me near to where you are.

I just want to be where You are...

In Your dwelling place forever.

Take me to the place where you are.

I just want to be with you.

I want to be where you are

dwelling in your presence

feasting at Your table,

surrounded by Your glory.

In Your presence...

that's where I always want to be.

I just want to be... I just want to be with You.

Oh my God, You are my strength and my song

and when I'm in Your presence, 

though I'm weak You're always strong."

No shoes today,

Gail