Day 31

It's Day 31 of  The Red Shoe Project - One entire month of wearing RED shoes and focusing on The Power and Presence of God in my life.  Yahoo!!!  I did it!  ...only 11 more months to go!  LOL.

Someone asked me today if I went out, at the beginning of the year, and bought several RED shoe options.  Not really.  I had my original, high-end, Ruby Slippers that I wear on special occasions, (like when I'm speaking). And there were a couple pairs of Crimson Red high heels in the back of my closet, that I've put to good use.  But as many of you know... I found out, real fast, that a comfy pair of Scarlet flats and flip flops were essential!  My daughter, Grace, agreed, and quickly gifted me with those. I've also, (with the help of a friend), transformed an old comfortable pair of ballet flats into glittery RED magical shoes of my own. And a girlfriend surprised me with a cute pair of red sandals. So I guess you could say I'm building my RED SHOE Wardrobe as I go.

All said and done, though, this Red Shoe Project has been so much more than a closet full of RED foot wear. My life is being transformed, one day at a time, and I can't wait for each and every day to see what God has in store for me.  Adventure.  Lessons.  Truths.  Overcoming Fears. Miracles.  And most of all... developing a deeper relationship with The King of Kings.  How great is that? 

I'm not sure if this comes across 

in the blog or not, 

but this Red Shoe Project  

isn't some fictional piece I'm writing. 

It's my life!   It's real. 

And I'm letting you look in the window.

Today, for example, something really interesting happened.  After facilitating a class this morning and then having lunch with a business colleague, I headed back to my home office, and couldn't resist a quick stop at the local Goodwill Bookstore for a little inspiration. (What can I say... this particular one has a plethora of motivational and inspirational writings!) 

While glancing at the shelves, I came across a small devotional entitled,  Jesus Calling  by Sarah Young.  I have heard several women mention lately that they simply love this book!

As I looked at the cover, I wondered, "Could Jesus be calling to me?"  I turned the pages to today's date. Ok, this was strange.  The book looked brand new, but this particular page had something underlined with pen that grabbed my attention immediately.  I took a closer look and  read it.  It was "right on!" There was God telling me not to worry, but to trust Him and to draw closer to Him in this challenging time.

All day I had been pondering yesterday's blog, about letting go, giving up control and going with the flow.  It's so easy to say "Just do it!" But, just doing it isn't always as easy as it sounds. Ya know?  As much as I'm trying to let go of the old and embrace the new.  It's still a little scary. I know I have to let go -- And I totally want to let go. But for some reason my hands are still holding on tight! And when I try to pry my fingers loose... I feel like the Holy Spirit whispers...

"Your trying too hard, Gail. This isn't that difficult!"

So you can imagine how I felt when the one part of this book I happen to read seems specifically directed to me and my dilemma...  not to mention that whoever owned this book before me, underlined it!  But maybe that was just a coincidence?  I flipped through the book, and there was another underlined message. 

"When you are plagued by a persistent problem - one that goes on and on - view it as a rich opportunity."

 Once again, the wisdom shared seemed perfectly directed to me and my concern. O.K. Jesus has my attention now... BUT, even still... Is God calling to me, personally?  I flipped through the pages one last time.  There was no other writing in the book, whatsoever, but what was this? -- just a page with a corner folded.  For the fun of it, I decided to take a closer look. There it was... Advice about CHANGE.

"To receive My Peace you must

  change your grasping, controlling stance 

to one of openness and trust."

O.k. so I know what you must be thinking.  "You're stretching this a little bit far, aren't you, Gail?" I don't know,  am I?  I'm right in the middle of this RED SHOE PROJECT, looking for God's Power and Presence in the middle of my every day life. I'm dealing with concerns and asking for God to speak to me specifically. I'm hoping He'll recognize my unique concern and give me divine direction. 

With that,  I walk into a bookstore, take a book off the shelf, open it to today's date, and the message, that just happens to be underlined, speaks specifically to me! And then the one other message in the book that's underlined confirms God's ability to be specific. And finally, if that weren't enough, I look at a dog- eared page and He gives specific guidance for what I need to do now? Just seems like God's answering me!

I looked down at my shiny, RED SHOES and decided,

Im choosing to BELIEVE... What about you?

Gail

Day 30

On the 30th Day of  The Red Shoe Project I was found in my RED flip flops at one of the top beaches in the world - Siesta Key in sunny Sarasota, FL. Wonderful friends were paying me a visit from out of town, so it was a "must do!"  With that, my routine for the day got thrown off.  I found myself struggling to "let go" and "go with the flow".  You know I've been loving all this focused time I've had with the Lord in my Secret Place this month! Getting up and out of the house to do something different was a challenge. But then the Lord whispered to me...

"I noticed that sometimes you're not so good at 

GOING WITH THE FLOW!

Just enjoy this time with your friends.

Really?  Even though the Holy Spirit spoke this so gently, and offered it, not as a rebuke, but as a loving suggestion, I still felt bad in knowing that I wasn't quite getting it. Was I the one fish swimming in the opposite direction from all the others?

No.  But I knew He was right.  He was trying to move me out of the house today... to have a little fun,  and I was pushing against that... dragging my feet... holding back... hesitating... and showing a lack of enthusiasm.

I can tend to be a little Black and White at times. It's not good.  It's not bad.  It's just how I am.  The problem is that He's not like that.  Yup.  I can't tie God down... stuff Him into a box... or squeeze Him into a confined, overly structured program.  He's just not comfortable there.  He's much too BIG for my little ways.  But it's not for Him to be following my plan anyways.  

My good friend, Suzanne,  just recently reminded
me of one of my favorite scriptures:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, acknowledge Him.

And He will direct your path."

Proverbs 3:5,6

Ahhh... He'll direct my path!

After the beach, my friends and I came back to the house for dinner.  Just for something fun to do, they asked if they could do a little furniture re-arranging.  By this time, I had loosened up a little and was doing much better with my "flow" issues, so I agreed. Within an hour they had totally transformed my living room and office. WOW! I couldn't believe it! It looks great!

I could have easily just left things as they were.  I was comfortable and used to it "the old way."  But I guess I opened myself up to something new...  and Woolah! Presto-Chango... Magnificent!  It didn't cost anything but a willingness to give it a try.

Why is it that Letting the Lord lead me, 

is so difficult at times?

Ahh... so this is a control issue?  Not going with the flow of things is because I want to be in control?  I hate to admit it, but this isn't the first time God has presented this lesson to me. Hmmmm.  Ok... so maybe I can get it right this time. Because I really don't want to be in control. I want so much to FOLLOW HIM.  I really do! I've lead myself for a long time and I usually don't like where I end up. My true heart's desire is to Go With The Flow of The Holy Spirit.  Besides... contrary to what many people may think... His way is so much more adventurous and fun than mine!

From now on...

I wonder if they make RED water shoes?   

Gail

Day 29

It's Day 29 of The Red Shoe Project  and although I am sporting RED SHOES, I am focusing, (during these challenging days), on staying STRONG in the FAITH!  With that in mind, I have been pondering, throughout the day, the old-time adage of:

You are what you eat!

Eat a well balanced, healthy diet and your body will be healthy and strong.  Eat a diet comprised of all junk food and your body will, inevitably, be sickly and weak.  When you're strong, in body, you have no problem fighting off sickness.  But when you're sickly and weak... you're so much more susceptible to illness and disease. Right?

So what if I apply this same concept to Spiritual health? How can I be spiritually strong as opposed to a spiritual marshmallow that deflates under the least bit of spiritual warfare?

Hey... let's face it, challenges and difficulties will always come our way.  Life is made up of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.  Being a Christian doesn't mean a perfect, flawless, life without difficulty. In fact, The Bible teaches quite the opposite. It states,

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous..."

Psalm 34:19

If that's the case... 

How do I stay strong, stand firm, and hold on in trying times?

I'm reminded of the illustration of:

 The Spiritual Man vs. The Flesh Man.  

The Spiritual Man is the strong godly part of me.    

The Flesh Man is the worldly side of me.

The nutritious diet plan of The Spiritual Man is comprised of:

The Word of God

Worship & Praise

Fellowship with Other Believers - Iron Sharpening Iron.

Sharing with others what God has done in your life!

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-Control

The junk food buffet of The Flesh Man consists of:

Questionable Reading, TV, Movies & Music 

Idolatry

Unhealthy Relationships

Unprofitable Conversations

Negativity, Anger, Vulgarity, Violence, Fear, Hatred, Gluttony

If you're wondering what falls into this category, just ask yourself, 

"Would I do this with Jesus, by my side?"

In times of struggle... Who's going to win the fight? 

   

That's easy....

The one you feed is the one who wins!

The one you starve is the one who loses.

As I lace up my RED running shoes for the challenges that lie ahead, I am feasting on the meal plan of Champions!  

Gail

Day 28

We're coming down to the last few days of the First Month of  The Red Shoe Project.  I phrase it this way for a reason.  Deadlines occur at the end of the month. Bills are due at the end of the month. Reviews are completed at the end of the month. Decisions to continue or stop projects are made at the end of the month.

This is where the rubber meets the road! Are these RED SHOES really magical?  Are my RUBY REDS as powerful as they claim to be? In other words... Will God come through on His promises? Does The Lord really provide for His people?  Can He and will He provide for me? When I look back at January in review, will God have accomplished all the things He's told me He would? Is there enough evidence to show that God is in the center of our project and encouraging us to go deeper?

Have you ever asked those kinds of questions?

Isn't that part of what The Red Shoe Project is all about?

Wrestling with God about these things until you get an answer?

A sure answer. A complete answer. A working answer.

An answer that satisfies!

I must admit, I BELIEVE that the answer to all of these questions is YES!  But we can't start the "review" process until the end of the month! Well, actually... we can't even begin it until the first of next month.  

So often, God stops to take a breath, and we jump in, right before the grande finale, put a stop to everything and proclaim a fatal ending!  We give into the spiritual warfare.  We listen to the discouraging voices in our head. We start making excuses for God, without even giving Him a chance to finish. And instead... we look at how WE, ourselves, might provide the solution... before it's "too late!" 

(Gee... As I write this all down, and read it aloud, it sounds so pathetic.  Ouch!!!)

Let me share with you something God's been speaking to me.  As I was running out the door, one morning, in my RED SHOES, (of course),  I noticed my dog, Pauly, curled up by my desk. He was totally relaxed and ready for a long, restful morning...snoozing.  I closed the door behind me and God said,

 "Do you think Pauly is thinking...

 "I wonder what time she'll be back?"  

"Did she leave me water?

"Will she remember to take me out for my walk later?"

"I hope she doesn't forget to feed me my dinner!"

"Where will I be sleeping tonight?"

Of course not...  He just rests in knowing he's provided for."

Hmmmm... So why is it that I don't rest in knowing that I'm provided for?   My bulldog gets it... but I don't?

Then God showed me the other side of the coin.  I thought about how seriously I take my responsibility as a pet owner.  I always come home to take care of my dog.  Even if it's not convenient.  If I have to go out of town, I make arrangements for his care with a reliable person.  I always make sure he has plenty of clean water. And I would never forget to take him out... 2 times a day.  Not to mention the fact that I try to stick to a regular schedule.  And feed him dinner? Always! Without fail. And when the lights go out at night, he's always "snug as a bug" in our warm, comfy home... usually at the foot of my bed. He doesn't have to worry about a thing!

So why then do we worry?  Why do we doubt Our Father?  

Why do we waiver in our faith?

I've noticed that many times, in the past, I simply have not allowed God to show himself faithful.  I've thrown in the towel too soon.  I haven't even allowed Him the time He's requested.  This time, I'm determined to let Him go the distance.  I'm stretching my Faith, further than it's ever gone before, to give God a fair shot at proving Himself to me.

People who have done this before me have all reported that "God is FAITHFUL!"

They say "God is always RIGHT ON TIME." 

And many remark... "IT'S OFTEN NOT UNTIL THE VERY LAST HOUR... BUT HE ALWAYS DELIVERS ON HIS PROMISES!"

So I'm going into these last three days with Bold, Exuberant Enthusiasm & Excitement!  This is where the Hero shows up!  Where it all comes together! Where the Impossible becomes Possible! Where Miracles take place!

I can't stand it!  I'm not waiting any longer...  for my applause that is.  I'm getting excited, even now.  I'm clapping!  I'm jumping!  I'm waving my arms in the air!  I can feel my spirit shouting, "Yahoooo!  Glory!  Glory to God!  Thank You Jesus!  He did it!  He did it!  Glorrrrrrrry!!! 

Hey.... I might just have to kick off these RED SHOES and do a little victory dance!

Believe with me!

Gail