Day 92

On Day 92 of  The Red Shoe Project, I may have been wearing
RED shoes, but something else
stood out even more...

It was the Presence of God 

on people's faces.

So I woke up early this morning in order to be ready and waiting for my ride to the Women's Bible Study.  When my pal picked me up, we greeted each other as usual and she asked,

"What's happening with you?" 

 I looked at her and said, 
"It's the funniest thing, 
I woke up this morning
with a picture of a $20 bill 
on my mind. 
 It was right there... as plain as day... posted on the billboard of my mind.  Isn't that the strangest thing?"

"Not really," she responded pulling a twenty from her purse, "cause I was looking at my money and thought I had a twenty, only to find that I had two twenties, and I asked God, 'Is this one for Gail, Lord?" And He said yes!"  

I thought about what the Lord had spoken to me yesterday..."I have already put things in motion."  She already had that conversation with God and was ready to give me the money, I just happened to slip in what God had showed me first.  Needless to say, I was glowing in amazement of how God orchestrates those kind of things.  If I tried to make something like that happen, it would never come together.  You just have to praise Him for stuff like that!

Later that morning, at the Bible Study, a woman gave such a powerful testimony of things God had done in her life. Next thing you know... another woman started praying over her for healing.  The Holy Ghost just started to move all over the place.  People were getting powerfully touched.  Our Bible Study turned into a Prayer Meeting like no other. God had a good time with us, and we enjoyed His presence.  And the lady who gave the testimony?  All I can say is that I looked at her and saw that her face was radiating the love of God.  

After the meeting, that same woman came over to me, smiling from ear to ear.  Gently, she hugged me close and began whispering in my ear what God had showed her about me.  She laid out a prophetic picture of a little girl dancing with joy, opening up gifts, and throwing the ribbons all about.
"I see that God has got special gifts for you that go so far beyond anything you've ever imagined!" she said.

What's so amazing about that, is that as she spoke, I could actually see the picture she was describing perfectly, in my mind.  At the same time, I sensed in my spirit that she was holding a water pitcher filled to the brim and was pouring it into me as if I were an empty class.  When it was over... I was filled and my countenance was glowing!

There were many joyful faces in that room this morning.  Prayers were going up right and left.  Prophetic words were released and entanglements were broken.  Who would think that all that could happen in the early morning hours in a little back room of a bookstore?  When people gather to meet with God... well, He shows up!

Later in the day, I attended the Seekers Class I facilitate, which has pretty much become a New Believers class.  We took time to go around the circle and everyone shared where they were with God 10 weeks ago, and where they are now.  The testimonies were incredible... life-changing!  One gal in particular could barely sit still in her seat.  She was so exuberantly happy about her new found faith.  It was a joy to sit back and listen to her story.  God's presence not only filled the room, buy he seemed to be dancing in everyone's hearts.  It was a blessed night!

All this makes me think of a great scripture known as The Tri-Fold Blessing found in Numbers 6: 24-26

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace". 

God is good!

I'm so glad my RED shoes reminded me to look for Him today!

Gail

Day 91 officially puts us in the 4th month of The Red Shoe Project.  We're into the Second Quarter of the Year...  It's a New Season!   Before I even got out of bed and into my RED shoes, the Lord was speaking loudly to my heart...

"Get ready!

The Wind is changing direction!"

It's funny how the Holy Spirit can bring just about anything, in great detail, back to your mind.  He reminded me of the opening of a movie I saw as a kid,  Mary Poppins.  I immediately went to YouTube and there it was!  

I watched, almost in disbelief, 

as the Holy Spirit gave me insight.

The Banks family is about to hire yet another nanny. Up until now, not one has worked out!  Once again, an advertisement has been placed in the local paper.  Nannies are already lining up at the door to be interviewed.  The children, Jane and Michael, have sent out their own advertisement requesting "The Perfect Nanny."  With sincere hearts, they have listed in detail exactly what is needed.  Truly, this would be an answer to their prayers. They look out the window at those waiting to be interviewed.  It doesn't match at all what they've requested.  It's just more of the same old, same old, that never works out!

But suddenly, the weathervane changes direction.  A report is made that the wind is blowing in from a different corner.  The appointed time has arrived... not one minute sooner, not one minute later.   A strong gust of wind moves in and begins to blow away all the wrong things that don't fit, only to usher in exactly what is needed... in this case, Mary Poppins.

I believe God is telling me that the Wind of His Spirit is changing direction for me!  For three months, God has been doing deep things within me... unwinding me of self... changing my vision... changing my heart... changing my ways.  In the past, it seemed as though the answers to my prayers were often non-existent, and those that did come? well, they often didn't quite meet the specifications requested. Yet, I held on --Trusting God --  No turning back -- Believing by faith that God was with me -- Allowing God to have His way in me!  Now He's saying...

"It's Time!

I've already set things in motion!"

With a one  breath God will blow away the nonsense and usher in the answers.  So I'm asking you to watch and wait with me.  Expect it!

To "Expect"  means to Believe...  to Look for it!  

To Know that an obligation is about to be fulfilled!

Let's begin to celebrate even now! He loves that when we take Him at His Word, believe, and get excited about it!  Join me in clapping your hands, shouting out "Thank You, Jesus!" Wave your arms in the air.  Do a little dance.  Smile.   Shout "Hallelujah!"  Go on... put on a little music... take a moment to praise Him with me!

Because if He can do this for me,

He can do it for you!

I'm glorying in Today, 

and all that God brings with it, 

as I sport my RED shoes, 

Gail

"This is the day 

that the Lord has made.  

I will rejoice and be glad in it!"

(Psalm 118:24)

Day 90

Day 90 of The Red Shoe Project caught me in RED strappy sandals on a road trip to Granny's for  Easter.  It's the biggest holiday of the year, so the girls and I decided to get all dressed up and head out to spend the afternoon with the woman we love most.  What a wonderful time we had!

My oldest daughter mentioned to me that she has noticed lately that she is catching herself saying things that only I would say.
"Oh no, I'm becoming my mom!"  is now
officially part of her vocabulary.  Then she added,
"You're becoming Granny, and I'm becoming You!"   LOL!
It's funny how, in many ways,  we become our parents, isn't it?  There are some things, I guess, you just can't escape.


Meanwhile, I am happy that my heavenly Father is forever working in me to make me more like Him.  I read something interesting today in a book entitled, Prayer on Fire.

"Because none of us naturally seek God, 

our very desire to seek God is His work in us." 

* * *

"Therefore, when we desire to be filled 

with the Holy Spirit, it is because

 the Holy Spirit is already at work."

I know in the past I've often tried too hard.  I think I'm finally starting to let go of that and just go with God. There's an old song that says it best:

"I don't have to have a plan in place.

I don't have to see the end in sight.

All I have to do is follow You, 

wherever you lead,

 and do what you ask me to."

Simple and straightforward... not to mention I can wear my RED shoes!

Gail

Day 89

Day 89 of  The Red Shoe project found me in RED shoes and continuing to ponder the question:  

"But Do You Know God?"

Like many of you, I smile from ear to ear... " as I think of the goodness of Jesus and all He has done for me.  My very heart cries out "Hallelujah!"  Praise God for saving me!"

Of course I know God.  I read the Bible continuously and am more than aware of His Story.  On many occasions I have seen "The Passion of the Christ" and understand the price He paid for me.  I've said "The Prayer" and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.  I've been redeemed!  I'm born-again.  My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  I pray daily... not to mention that I've given my life to serve Him and the passion of my heart is to help others make that Divine Connection as well!

"But Do I Know God?"

That question keeps going through my mind.  It sounds so simple, yet it's proving itself to be quite profound.  What!  Why is it that I can't seem to let go of this? My spirit has become entangled, forcing me to pick it apart, separate the knots, and get to the heart of the matter.  

 I find myself distraught that I can't seem to shed the fact that more often than not my prayer time has become a "Honey Do List."  "Jesus, provide for this."  "Jesus, provide for that."  "Refresh me, oh Lord!"  "Pour your Spirit out upon me!"  "Cleanse me from sin."  "Guide me this day."  "Show me the way."  "Heal me of this ailment." "Help me oh God!" "Lord, I want more!"  

Yes, there are times of thanksgiving and praise.  And I know that God loves to help me.  But I'm grieved that my time in prayer is so much about ME, and so little about Him.  I  never really took notice of it before, but I don't give Him much of a chance to speak.  I rarely ask, "What do you think?"  "What would you like to do today?"  "What's on your mind?"  Come to think of it... I don't even let Him lead the prayer time.  There's something not quite right about that!

To "linger" means to stay in a place longer than necessary, 

typically because of reluctance to leave.  

To be slow to disappear.

I think I need to "linger" more.  I'm starting to think that all those people dancing at the altar are much more on track than I have given them credit for.  After all, there they are, (before the service even starts, and well after it's over),  hands lifted up, praising God, waving their arms, dancing in joy before the Lord. No real agenda.  Just spending time in His presence, having fun, and telling Him how much they love him.  

I have this picture stuck in my mind.  The King is holding a celebration.  The pharisees of the day have come and presented a perfect program... structured, but nice all the same, and left.  Meanwhile everyone else continues to enjoy the party.  Some are sitting, while others are singing, dancing, and giving glory to His Majesty on High. The King is smiling and totally enjoying their presence.  In fact, He gets up and moves amongst them... touching this one, whispering in the ear of that one, hugging another,  talking one-on-one with many and even presenting some with gifts.  So where am I in all this?  Am I one of the last to leave?  or have I taken off early with the others?  Just a thought.  The choice is mine.  

What's really strange is that the ones who left early... well, they look so important.  They are so very serious, and as I look closer, they seem somewhat withered and dry, some even joyless.  Perhaps they are the Marthas of the court? The ones who do, do, do, and miss out on a deeper experience with Him.

Well I don't want to be a Martha!  I want to be a Mary.  I want to sit at His feet and get to know Him.  I want to know what He thinks.  I want to understand His heart.  I want to enjoy His presence.  Not because I've read about Him, but because I've been with Him... because I stuck around long enough and consistently enough for Him to speak to me.

As I head back home, this girl in RED shoes, has a new perspective on things. It's a new season... one of relinquishing the lead to whom it rightfully belongs, and of focusing on listening, lingering and maybe even laughing a little.

That I Might Know God,

Gail