Day 303

Today is Day 303 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I popped on my Ruby Reds and headed straight to The Bonfire.

Yesterday, my time in the prayer closet was mobil. I already told you what God had revealed to me during my prayer walk... but there was more.  You probably remember that in regards to the financial provision I was seeking,  God said,  "It's taken care of!"

In case you haven't figured it out yet, I'm not so good when it comes to trusting God for my finances.  Oh... I've gotten better -- much better! -- but the fact is, I'm so darn self-sufficient, it's disgusting!

 Self-sufficient means...

Needing no outside help in satisfying one's own basic needs.

• Self-supporting
• Self-reliant 
• Self-sustaining   
• Independent 

SELF --  SELF -- SELF...
Just hand me a barf bag now.  I think I'm about to throw up!

I was almost in tears when God told me "It's taken care of!"  
"What's the matter?  Why are you crying?"  He asked

"Because I don't know what else to do?"  I responded back.

"That's just it - You don't do anything - I've taken care of it!
  Now you just wait for the Hand of God to move!"

We had a long talk.  Yes we did.  And when it was over I asked...
"If this is really you, Lord, what's the scripture?"
His response was immediate...

"Be still and know that I am God."

Psalm 46:10

I was brought up believing I could do anything as long as I was willing to work hard for it.  I've got a strong work ethic.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  In most cases, it's to be admired!  Unless of course, you find yourself in a situation in which God is asking you to trust Him completely.

So I'm waiting -- patiently -- believing I will see the Hand of God move.  I do believe the fight is out of me.  I hope so, because as long as I'm willing to keep trying to do it myself, God will let me.  I'm tired of trying!  For the longest time, even though my heart said,  "Wait for God!"  my mind said  "What else can you do to make this happen?"  

No more!  It's over!  I'm done!  

This fighter is down for the count!  

I know I'm going to look back on this and think... 

"That was so easy!

 Why didn't I just do that to begin with?"   

Some things are not so easy!  Unwinding... it takes time.  303 days to be exact!

In RED shoes,

Gail

Day 302

Today is Day 302 of  The Red Shoe Project.   This morning I jumped out of bed in a fiery blaze, proclaiming the promises of God!

"No more!"   I shouted,  as passion pumped out from the pit of my belly!   "I've had enough!  Whatever demon is hanging on my shoulder,  I cast you off, in Jesus' Name!  
I'm healed and that's the end of it!  As far as financial provision goes...  I am tearing away the oppressive spirits that are holding back the blessings of God!  Get out!"  I shouted.

The good news is... I felt quite a bit better after that no nonsense approach.  The bad news?  How awkward was that?  Something didn't quite seem right about that outrageous display.  Thank God the only ones to witness it were me, God and whatever demons were near.  Though I must admit... the demonic realm did back off and leave me alone the entire day!

One of the things I totally love about my daughters is that they've got my back when it comes to fashion.   "Where did you get that sweater?"  one will ask,  "cause you need to return it!  The color's not right for you, and it's out of style.  Granny might like it though.  It's definitely something she would wear."   Ugggg!  I hate when that happens, but I love the fact that they do it.  Yup... where's that receipt?  I'm returning it within the hour.  LOL.

I've noticed that the Holy Spirit does the very same thing when it comes to my spiritual attire.  I wasn't prayer walking one minute when he piped up with...

"Yeah... you need to chuck that militant spirit.  You don't have to yell at the demons, Gail...  Just take authority, be firm and move on.  That loud, abrasive tone is a bit strange, and besides, it will scare people.  And as far as the financial provision goes, it's taken care of."  

LOL!  I'm laughing because I was a little scared myself by the whole thing.  Not to mention, I felt a bit like David trying on Saul's armor before going onto the battlefield to slay Goliath.

"I cannot go in these,"  he said to Saul, 

"because I am not used to them."

  So he took them off.  

Then he took his staff in his hand, 

chose five smooth stones from the stream, 

put them in the pouch of his shepherd's bag 

and, with his sling in his hand, 

approached the Philistine."

1 Samuel  17: 39b-40

This is really quite interesting,  because as I continued my walk with the Lord -- in my RED sneakers, of course --  He told me that all I needed to do, was walk in the anointing that He's given me.  

The anointing is not something  I have to put on.   

It's like my own skin.  It's who I am in Christ.       

I just need to make sure that I don't cover it up.

He told me to take a closer look at all the people I know who are anointed.  See how they all have their unique giftings,  personality, and power?   Once you know your anointing, you need to stay in it.   We'll work together and you'll grow in it.  Don't be crossing over into someone else's anointing.  That's a mistake.  

You've been created for a purpose.  

Everything you need is within you.  

My Spirit will bring it all to life at 

the appointed time!

So what's my anointing?  I wondered.

  You're the RED shoe lady! 

He responded. 

And your messages will be about:

   * Looking  for  God

   * Listening for God

   * Living  for  God 

         and 

   * Loving God

Wow!  Day one in The Prayer Closet and all that was revealed!  I have to admit... I just peeked in there!  What's going to happen when I really get down to business?   Not that this is all new information... but He's pulling it all together for me.  His finally words to me were from Acts 1:8...

"And you shall receive power when 

the Holy Ghost comes upon you, 

and you will be my witness..."

Amen!  Who was it that said prayer was boring?

Not when you're wearing RED shoes.

Gail

Day 301

Today is  Day 301 of  The Red Shoe Project.  All day I was sporting RED shoes.  It's funny, because sometimes it seems as if God didn't really speak anything specific to me.  Then, when I sit down and look back on the details of my day, I see there was a common thread that tied all these random events together.  It's a message of sorts... a message from God... to me!

Take today, for instance... I joined one of my "Rubies"  for lunch and one of the things we discussed was healing.  (Day 299).  She's with me.  We don't understand it all, but we are moving forward with what we know,  figuring the Holy Spirit will fill us in on the rest as we go. 

"I wonder what you'll find in the back of 

your prayer closet after Pauly leaves?"  

she inquired.

"I'm hoping to find answers 

on this whole healing thing." 

I responded.

Later in the afternoon, I decided to give Pauly a bath, so that he'd be nice and clean for his trip up north. That is no easy task!  He's not overly fond of the water and it was a cooler day today.  I decided to coax him into my bathroom and give him a shower.  It took a little trickery, but eventually he was scrubbed clean.  Afterwards I laid towels all over the bathroom floor,  dried him off and then took out the blow dryer.  He loves the blow dryer!  He rolled over onto his back and just totally enjoyed the moment.

I love that pup!  I'm sad to see him go, but at the same time, I'm hoping to find a LOVE -- somewhere in that prayer closet -- that is greater than I ever could have imagined.  Perhaps the secret to loving my neighbor is in there?  Maybe I'll pray my future husband into existence?  LOL  Who knows what it will be like when I draw closer to the heart of God?  Any of those things is bound to impact my life in a wonderful way!

Tonight I spent some time helping my daughter pack for her move.  WOW!  She has a lot of stuff -- closets, drawers, things that fit under the bed, boxes, bags, shelves and all sorts of containers -- filled!  

"I need it all!"  

she proclaimed.  

That got me to wondering about how much stuff I have in my prayer closet.  Ideas, methods, mindsets...  journals of past prayers.  I wonder if my prayer closet needs to be cleaned out?  Are there old ways that need to be chucked?    When I get in there, I want to be able to move freely to the heart of God without obstruction.  Am I holding on to a bunch of outdated methodologies?  

Even worse... will I find cobwebs?  

OUCH!

I'm excited!  I can see that God has already begun preparing my heart for what's ahead.  I'm looking forward to this great adventure.  It's a little scary.  Sometimes I wonder if I'll be lonely, but then I remind myself that this is not a solo adventure.  I'm going in, to draw closer to Christ.  He will meet me there.

I realize that this is an experience of a lifetime. Somehow, I have found myself in a place in which all I have to do is open the door and walk in.  All the obstacles have been cleared away.  Yes... it's took over 300 days to do that, but that part is done.  Now it's time to go in...

in RED shoes, 

Gail

Day 300

It's Day 300 of  The Red Shoe Project.  Only 65 days to go!  My RED sneakers were on my feet and I was out the door for my three mile prayer walk today.  I love my prayer walks!  Much is accomplished, plus I get to enjoy the warm sunshine of Sarasota.  Today the Lord and I chatted about what's on the agenda for these next two months.

This week my oldest daughter will be moving up north to take a job.  She will be bringing Pauly with her.  Goodbye dear furry friend!  No doubt, I will miss him greatly.  I have a feeling you will miss him too.  He has truly been the mascot of this Red Shoe Project.  I need to make sure I get a couple pictures taken before he leaves for the upcoming book cover.

I asked the Lord today what I was going to do without Pauly and He said...

"It will just be me and you for a little while, Gail.  

It's time to go deeper into the prayer closet.  

Everything you are looking for is in there.  

It's way in the back -- 

You're going to have to search for it.  

It's not a one-day task!"

Everything I'm looking for?

"Yes... answers,  wisdom,  direction, 

understanding,  gifts,  insights --they're all in there. 

 And bring your Bible, your going to need it!"

Years ago, I would not have been comfortable with idea of going deeper in prayer.  I would have considered it a little Woo-Woo,  Strange and Unusual.  Oh... it is all of those things,  LOL,  but God has been preparing me for this all year.  I am ready. 

It's time for me to go in, 

shut the door and search out 

the things God has said are waiting for me.  

When it's over,  I will be walking into the new year, a changed woman!

In RED shoes, 

Gail