Day 44

Day 44 of  The Red Shoe Project swept me out of the house in RED heels, at a very early hour this morning. Off I zoomed in my friend's RED sports car to a monthly Board meeting and Philanthropy training at the local hospital. (Thank you, My Friend, for loaning me your car while mine's in the shop! - That's very generous of you). The trip there is about a 45 minute ride, so in proper Red Shoe Project fashion, I began to think about my affiliation with this organization, and how God fits into it all.

Hospitals are all about saving lives.  And as I drove, with God in the seat beside me, I sensed a weight of importance that I'd never considered before.  It's a realization that you're not just on this Board, for the reasons you thought, but that there's a whole other dimension to it... a spiritual dimension.  God has placed you there for a higher purpose. He wants to do something specific. And like any CEO of any company... He brings in "His people" to get the job done.

"His People"-- Just who are they?  There are many people who call themselves Christians. They identify themselves that way because they align with Christian values. That's a Good thing, but that's not what I'm talking about here.  "His People" is referring to those who are in Divine Partnership with Him and totally open for God to move through them to accomplish His perfect will. There's an old saying...

"God works in mysterious ways, 

His wonders to perform."

It's funny how wearing these RED shoes every day 

has changed my perspective on so many things!

Later in the day, I connected with a new friend and business associate that God has specifically brought into my life for a purpose.  I love this Girlfriend!!! Why?  First of all, she's simply Amazing!  She is a "Seasoned" woman -- a high level businesswoman who has impacted companies all over the country.  I know she is one of "His People".  Others would not necessarily notice that, but as I have learned of the incredible experiences and achievements she has tucked under her belt, (or perhaps we should say, "stuffed in her purse"), it's obvious that God has shuffled her from one place to another, over the years, to do His bidding.

There's a greek word, "koinania"  (pronounced coin-uh-nee-uh) which refers to a special fellowship amongst Christian believers.  It's when God brings "His people" together for a specific purpose, and the connection they have with one another goes beyond the typical friendship.  It has a spiritual dimension to it.  They instantly "click" with one another.  They recognize that this Divine Friendship or Team has God at the center of it, and with that "Anything is possible!"  "All things are possible!"

I love when that happens! Because when God is at the helm, get ready for full speed ahead adventure. You're in for a ride!  A ride that will challenge you.  A ride that will stretch you.  A ride that will amaze you.  It's a ride that ultimately brings total Glory to Him! That's what happens when God puts together a team for His purpose.

So, as God is building a team around me, I'm excited about what lies ahead. And I'm not afraid.  These RED shoes have given me a new strength and confidence in Him. And I don't have to do this alone.  He's given me Divine Divas to work with!  Hallelujah! Here we come!

Gail

Day 43

Today was the 43rd Day of  The Red Shoe Project.  As I headed out the door this morning, in my RED sandals, I had no idea what God has in store for me.  I started this day, like most days, with an   attitude of "This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it." But TODAY something was different.  God had a special treat waiting for me!

My girlfriend picked me up early, and off we drove to facilitate our Tuesday Bible Study at the local bookstore.  A wonderful, seasoned woman of God visited our group, and she brought along with her an amazing passion, a special word and a powerful prayer.

So... we were having a great study in God's Word, when all of a sudden, this special guest announced, "God's telling me we should pray, right now!" We went with it.  We all stopped what we were doing, and moved into a circle of prayer. 

 BOOM!  Within seconds, the Holy Spirit moved into that little room with us.  You could feel His presence in such a powerful way! On the outside, all around me, the atmosphere dramatically changed, as God's Spirit rested on each and every one of us.  The weight of the air got heavy as our hearts filled with wonder and anticipation. On the inside, I was shaking as the Spirit rumbled within me. I sat there in my chair, head down, praying quietly with words I did not know, tears dripping from my eyes onto the carpet below.  

That's when it happened.  I could hear everyone praying in the room, but at the same time, it seemed like I was miles away.... in a new Secret Place with God.  Bellows of Love poured over me as He whispered to my mind indescribable words that filled my heart with a satisfaction that cannot be explained. I couldn't move.  

Before long, I could hear some of the ladies around me beginning to talk.  I sensed that they were going to move forward once again in their Bible study.  But, Yeah... I wasn't going anywhere.  There was no way I was going to leave that place, (wherever I was),  No way. No how.  Like a wave of glory moving with the tides, I sensed the Spirit moving away from me.  "Don't leave me!" I shouted in my mind!  And in rolled the wave of Love once again. Back and forth. Back and forth.  Wave after wave of love moved upon me.  Yeah... this was really nice!

Hating to leave that spot, but feeling myself being pulled back into the circle, I slowly opened my eyes. Next thing I knew, this special guest had me stand up so she could pray for me.  I agreed.  Why not?  I was having a  glorious time.   I just stood there, closed my eyes, and immediately fell back into that place with God.  One woman, standing next to me, commented... "What's going on?  I'm getting woozie just standing next to her."  LOL!

It was a good prayer... a very good prayer,  with a word from God specific to me.  Who was this woman?  She didn't know me. She didn't know anything about me.  But God used her to speak divine words of direction to me.  When she was done, I opened my eyes.... "Filled to the Top" with God's Spirit.  I don't think I have ever experienced something quite so POWERFUL in all my life! And as I read this, I think this description doesn't quite do the whole thing justice... but it's the best I can do with the words I have. 

Yes, it was a glorious day, to say the least.  I walked around "filled" all day and into the night.  Something happened there in that little prayer room.  It was so much more than a feeling.  Perhaps my faith has expanded to a new size? Time will tell.

So I'm kicking off my RED shoes, as I putter off to bed. But my prayer is that Today would be my first of many trips to this secret beach of liquid glory.  

Oh Lord, Let it be.

Gail

Day 42

Day 42 of The Red Shoe Project started with a whisper to God for "HELP" in meeting some very big needs.  Before I knew it, phone calls were being made, left and right, to tow truck businesses, mechanics, dealerships and (most importantly) to my good friend who knows everything about Cars.  I, on the other hand, know "zero"... "nothing"... "nada" about automobiles! And I'm not afraid to admit that on a scale from 1 to 10... (10 being the highest), I'm below a "1" when it comes to interest level.  Cars are just not my thing!


With that said, it should be obvious that "Car Issues" are a weak spot for me, and I feel vulnerable, to say the least.  I could feel my breathing getting heavier and heavier as my head began spinning amongst all the "Car Conversation".  Yikes! I was starting to get a little woozy.  It seemed that all the options that people were giving me regarding my broken down vehicle were less than favorable.




Then... out of the corner of my eye...  I caught a glimpse of those RED SHOES my mother had bought me the other night.  They look like RED "Tom's Shoes" only extra bright and  glittery!  WOW! do they stand out! -- so much so, I was hesitating to wear them in public.

BUT right at that moment of "Total Car Overload"... the Lord spoke to me:

"Ok... so you've looked at all of Man's options

and none of them quite work...

Now look for Me is the situation.  

Look for the RED SHOES!

Find My open door... My path."

Hmmmmm. Here's God reminding me that the whole purpose of The Red Shoe Project is to see Him in my everyday life!  Ok...  so why do I need to be reminded of that?  Isn't this Day 42?   Am I not well into the transformation of this whole thing becoming a habit?   There's a lesson here:  We can be totally immersed in something and still miss the whole point of it! 

So I immediately popped on those RED SHOES to boldly keep GOD at the forefront of my mind today!  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  I do believe that God's giving me direction.  He's telling me to look beyond the circumstances in front of me and seek His way.  Ok,  I can start there.  An old Christian Chorus popped into my mind... "God will make a way."  I quickly pulled it up on YouTube.  --Very "dated", but the message is "right on!"

"God will make a way, when there seems to be no way.

He works in ways we cannot see.

He will make a way for me.

He will be my guide, Hold me closely to His side.

With love and strength for each new day...

He will make a way!  He will make a way!"

That was only the beginning.  My morning devotional confirmed that. Later a friend came to pick me up and confirmed it again. And even later in the evening, at Bible Study Group, the message was confirmed again.   I love "confirmations" from God.  He doesn't leave me floundering in bewilderment... questioning if I've really heard from Him or not.  Even now, if that weren't enough, I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures,  Proverbs 3:5&6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight."

"Make your paths straight" means He'll remove the obstacles that are in your path so that your goal can be accomplished. 

So now what?  What do I do as I look for God's open door?

 Ephesians 6:13 says

"Therefore, take up the full armor of God, 

so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,

 and having done everything, to stand firm. 

If you've been following me... You know that this is serious business!!!  I am not giving up!  I'm believing that there is a Powerful Testimony that will come out of this!  So, as this evening comes to a close, I am imagining my feet in RED military boots and me, having done all I could,  STANDING FIRM, looking forward, with anticipation,  to what God has in store for me tomorrow!

Watching for God's Open Door,
Gail

Day 41

As I woke up on Day 41 of  The Red Shoe Project I wiggled my toes, painted RUBY RED, and tuned in to my favorite internet preacher... Bishop T. D. Jakes at the Potter's House.  He delivered an anointed message based on Matthew 25:14-28, The Parable of the Talents. 

Here I was on a Sunday, sitting on a bed in my Mom's guest room, having church. LOL. I must admit that this is rarely my 1st choice, but God delivered BIG time.  I love that about The Red Shoe Project... it's noticing God's Power and Presence WHEREVER you are!

The Bishop's message was on the gifts God has given us... along with the opportunity we have to make the most out of them.  It's funny, because right before I "tuned in" for church, I was writing in my journal about Excellence... and the idea of "Pouring oneself out as a drink offering unto the Lord."  I've always admired people who under the anointing of God, extend their unique gifts into the realm of the Divine.  To watch that is more than moving... It's Awesome!

Listening to Bishop Jakes was no disappointment.  As He operated in His own unique and anointed gift, I was challenged to take a look at where I stand before God in regards to the gifts He's given me and what I'm doing with them.  There was one thing, in particular that The Bishop said that really struck me:

"You are burying what you should be exposing 

and exposing what you should be burying."

Over a year ago, God had basically said this very same thing to me.  He told me that I was clothing myself in a way that I thought was palatable to the people around me. In other words... I was presenting myself as a watered down Christian so as not to offend anyone.  But... God then told me that there were people who needed to hear my message... They were looking for me, and they couldn't find me because I was all covered up.  It's time to "Get naked!" and Be who I really am in Christ!

It's taken God a good year to unwind me and unwrap me.  I am now reflecting who I am in Christ more authentically than ever before.  There's still more work to be done... but I'm well on my way.  

As to my gifts... Since I gave my heart to the Lord in 1983,  I've always had a strong connection with Christ, an ability to hear his voice, and a passion to talk about what He's doing in my life. Finally, I am working those opportunities for His Glory by Blogging, Writing, Speaking, Facilitating and Teaching... specifically about Him.  

As I continue to move forward on this Yellow Brick Road, it's my hope and prayer that lives will be touched by Him... that those seeking a Divine Connection with God will find it... that those looking to live an abundant life for Christ, without all the entanglements of religiosity, will see how it's done and join me.  Literal RED SHOES are optional, of course!

What about you?  Do you know your specific purpose in life?  What are your unique gifts? Are you using them for God?  I don't ask those questions lightly.  The process of discovering the answers to those questions can take years... But we all need to start that journey sometime. I'm not sure we'll ever be truly happy until we are living in our true purpose.

Who would have ever thought that mine happens to be in RED SHOES!

Gail