Day 350

A key component of  The Red Shoe Project  is fasting.  Today is Day 350.  As I slipped on my RED flats and headed out the door with my daughter, I was hit head-on with the realization that my fasting has been about so much more than food!

A good friend of mine, Kelly Parr, is an expert when it comes to fasting and healthy eating.  She has studied and practiced these disciplines for years.  She understands all the details regarding the proper way to fast.  For example, she would tell you that there is a weaning on and a weaning off process before and after the fast itself.  Not to mention she could tell you exactly how to do that correctly.

Today my daughter asked me to go with her to the local shopping mall.  She had a couple errands she needed to do and preferred not to go alone.  At first I said no, but then, after thinking about it, it seemed like such a small request.  She rarely asks me to help her out with things like that and besides it would get me out of the house for a while.

Off we went in the car.  Oh my gosh... I had no idea what I was getting into.  A week before Christmas -- Jammed parking lots -- Shopping at the mall --  What was I thinking?  The good news is that the stores were actually pretty empty.  I was surprised.  But even still, I think I've been at the mall once this entire year.  Shopping is one of the things I've been fasting.

That might sound silly to you, but shopping takes time, focus and money.  We all know that it's not that difficult to spend an entire afternoon at the mall, trying on all the latest fashions and spending all sorts of  money.  Yeah... that hasn't been on my agenda this year.  The one time I did go to the mall was to help a friend find a couple pairs of pants she needed.  We were in and out within an hour.  To be honest, I haven't really had the money to shop and my time and energy has been on getting to know the Lord better through His Word and prayer.

Today's onslaught of commercialism, holiday advertising and special pricing was a bit of an avalanche!  Oh my gosh!  Suddenly I felt quite overwhelmed with Christmas.  It was like a sugar-rush!  With each store, I could sense the attack on my spirit by the enemy's holiday propaganda.  What happened to my peace?  Suddenly I felt naked, as if someone had stripped me of the contentment of Christmas.

Okay, so perhaps I am exaggerating slightly.  I'm sure it just seemed a bit much to me personally, considering my focus on this Red Shoe Project of mine.  But I realized something:

 As I've been looking for Christ 

each day for 350 days now, 

I've been living Christmas all year long.  

In contrast to that, the mall seemed 

empty of the Peace,  Joy and Cheer 

that Christ brings me each day!

There is an upside however.  As we headed home, my daughter said she had a surprise for me.  She turned on the radio station that was playing Christmas music and drove me around the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights.  "Ahhhhh... look at that one!"  "Oooooooo, I like those lights!"  "How pretty is that -- Look there!"  What fun we had together!  I was refilled with joy by the time we pulled into our driveway!

Now I'm exhausted, in RED shoes, and hunkering down for the night!
Gail

Day 349

It's Day 349 of  The Red Shoe Project and I wore my brightest, sparkliest, RED shoes as I headed out the door for church!  It's the sabbath, so I won't be saying a lot today --  I will be resting.  But I am compelled to share at least one testimony about seeing God today.

He's everywhere!  

Have you noticed?  

I  was running a little late for church this morning.  When I arrived, the service had already begun.  The worship at Suncoast is much like a concert,  thereby the lights were dimmed significantly in the sanctuary. 

When I attend the Sunday morning service here, I always sit with my friends on the far left side, five or six rows back from the front.  Today, however, they weren't there.  I took a seat by myself, only to notice that they were sitting right up in the front row.  I picked up my stuff and moved forward to join them.

We didn't say a word to each other until the service was over.  The lights came up and Wendy threw her arms around my neck.  "I've been reading your blog everyday," she said with a sniffle.  "I just want you to know that God has had you on my heart and mind for several days now!  I'm praying for you.  You inspire me!"  

What happened next was extraordinary!  I could feel that coat of protection, over my heart, melting.  It was dissolving in God's presence.  You know... I was thinking my heart was pretty soft these days.  I didn't think I had put up any walls.  I didn't think that, until I felt the walls coming down.  

Down.  Down.  Down.

With each tear she shed,

more of my heart opened up 

to receive God's love.

Oh my gosh!  The water faucets of my eyes started gushing tears.  "Wendy!"  

I shouted.  "You're wrecking me!"  She just hugged me tighter and we had a good cry together.  I so love that girl!  She is so sensitive, and today God anointed her tears to touch my heart in such a powerful way!

It was all good!  Are you kidding me?  I'll take that kind of wrecking any day.  God is continually at work -- stripping away everything that gets in the way of my sensing His presence.  I'm okay with that, because I don't want a hardened heart.  I want a soft, supple heart that can feel what God feels.  Watch out!  All sorts of things will harden one's heart.

Just walking out the front door each day -   

Turning on the television set, 

Reading the newspaper, or Scrolling through facebook -

Life in general --  will harden your heart. 

 It will desensitize you to the 

POWER and PRESENCE of GOD!  

We need more Wendys to channel God's love through their hugs, tears and loving words.  Their actions  bring balance to all the obstruction the world dumps on us daily.  I'm so glad God put Wendy in my path today!  I needed and received everything God gave me through her.  What's so remarkable is that she didn't even know that God was using her!   Thank you Lord! 

In RED shoes, 

Gail 

Day 348

Today is Day 348 of  The Red Shoe Project.  From the moment I woke up and put on my RED shoes, there has been an anticipation in my spirit.  I couldn't wait for tonight to arrive!  That's because I would be celebrating one of my favorite Christmas traditions.

Traditions are something that we do year after year after year.  If we don't, things aren't quite the same.  In fact, that's why we do them, because the one time we didn't, we regretted it.  We felt like we missed out!  So we made it a point to return to that practice the next year, and we've been doing it ever since.

Tonight I attended the annual performance of: 

"This is Christmas"

with The Ditchfield Family Singers 

at the Sarasota Opera House.

I've been attending this event for years, but this had to be the most outstanding of them all.  It was AWESOME!  Incase you've never seen them, they are the epitome of Christmas cheer.  Stephen and Bernice -- better known as "Mom & Dad" -- and their three sons (Nathaniel, Michael and David), one daughter, Stephanie, and two daughters-in-law, Gina and Taylor, make up this fabulous singing group.  

You know, you can't really call them a singing group.  They are so much more than that!  Every Christmas, they administer the most amazing performance of Christmas music to hearts that are thirsty for true seasonal bliss.  The favor and anointing of God rests upon them, as the Holy Spirit  moves throughout the audience touching people's spirits with the pure message of Christmas.  

But that's not all, there are grandchildren now that are singing as well.  Four boys in all.  WOW!  What performances they gave.  This really put it over the top for me.  That's because I've seen them grow from babies to teenagers over the years.  The audience loved it too!  I'm not the only one that returns year after year.  So does everybody else.  It's like a family gathering.  You would have thought those boys were all of our nephews.  How thrilling it was to see the gift of music being passed down to the next generation.

My dear friend Christin Ditchfield, (well-known author, conference speaker, and radio personality), continued her place in the family as the evening's Master of Ceremonies.  She doesn't sing... but that doesn't mean she doesn't have a voice.  At this traditional event, she opens the door and invites the audience into her family's living room per say.  As she speaks from her heart, she welcomes you in -- front and center -- to enjoy all that's being served.  And what a meal it was -- soup to nuts!

Although it is difficult to say what I enjoyed the most,  (because its all so good), my absolute favorite is the same year after year.  It's when Stephen and his daughter-in-law, Gina sing "THE PRAYER!"  I don't know what happens during that song.  It's as if the Holy Spirit just blows away anything that is hindering true Christmas spirit in my heart!  Yup... It's Powerful!  I'm unable to say anything but "Bravo!" when it's over.  

I've kicked off my heels and I'm off to put on my jammies and relax a bit before retiring for the night.  Perhaps sugar plums will be dancing in my dreams tonight.  Anything is possible after all that!

Be blessed this Christmas Season and wear your RED shoes whenever possible.  God is everywhere to be found!

Love to all!

Gail

Day 347

Today is Day 347 of  The Red Shoe Project.  I stayed in bed, this morning,  almost til noon!  No... I wasn't sleeping.  I was praying, worshiping, reading and listening to a download about "The Call of God."  What a nutritious breakfast!   Eventually I did jump out of bed and into my RED shoes, though I had no idea it would be "TEST DAY!"   If I had known that, I probably wouldn't have gotten out of bed!


Have you ever seen those commercials about V8 juice?  They've been around for decades.   The marketing is all based on the fact that V8 juice is packed with the nutrients and vitamins of vegetables.  It's supposed to give you energy, help you to grow and make you strong.  All that said, the commercials  lead you to believe that a V8 will prepare you for anything the day ushers your way!


There's always someone facing a challenge of sorts.  They just don't have the zing to pull it all together.  They're fading fast!  Then it dawns on them...   "I could have had a V8!"  Apparently, the V8 would have prepared them to be strong, steadfast and victorious!

In my world, starting off the day just as I did, empowered me for everything and anything that would come my way!  There's nothing better than a good dose of the Holy Ghost, powerful praise, and a chat with The Father to get off on the right foot!  Whewwwww!

When I did finally get out of bed, I encountered an unexpected financial challenge.  Hmmmm.  This is my least favorite part of  The Red Shoe Project.  I don't like it!  It's very humbling.  That said, I know in my heart of hearts that The Red Shoe Project wouldn't exist without it.

I recently testified to a group of ladies that my monetary hardships are but for a season.  Deep down, I'm a prosperity preacher!  I know that God blesses His people -- especially when you, yourself, are a generous giver.  I'm a seed planter!  That's how it works.

You Can NEVER out give God!  

NEVER!

But with my #1 goal  being "to journey to the heart of God,"  I must confess that I know that if I had money, I would be doing other things!  I wish with all my heart that I could honestly say that, without any help from God,  I would be desperately seeking his face for 365 days straight.  Sorry.... I know myself all too well.  If I had money, I'd be off getting a pedicure.  I'd be at the movies.  I'd be going out to eat all the time with friends.  I'd be enjoying the theater.  I'd be shopping.  Yeah... I'd be doing all those things and more.  And what wouldn't I be doing?  I wouldn't be seeking God's face!  I'd be way too busy for that!

Would you like to know a secret?  The idea of my three mile prayer walk emerged because I had no gas in my car and I desperately needed to get out of the house.,   I threw on my RED sneakers and went for a walk to talk with God about the matter.  Next thing I knew, I was  prayer walking three to five days a week.  It all ended up quite wonderful.  I love my prayer walks and can't imagine life without them!  My point is... because I had no other options, I resorted to prayer walking.

I know it sounds pathetic, but it's the truth.  My meager finances are merely God's way of stripping away all the distractions so that I can be successful in achieving my #1 goal for the year!    I want to shout "Thank you Jesus!" and "Ouch!" all in the same breath!

Today, however, something GREAT happened.  As soon as I realized the situation at hand, I sat down, closed my eyes, bowed my head and prayed.  I heard the Lord whisper...  

"Can you hear the crowd of witnesses 

cheering you on?"  

Hebrews 12:1 says... 

"Therefore, since we are surrounded 
by such a great a cloud of witnesses, 
let us throw off everything that hinders , 
and the sin that so easily entangles.  
And let us run with perseverance 
the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus..."

I didn't actually hear clapping and shouting, but I was instantly reminded of the time that I ran a half marathon.  When I got to the last mile marker, no one else was running with me.  It was tough!  Then suddenly,  I saw people cheering me on.  The locals in the neighborhood had set out  lawn chairs in front of their houses and were encouraging the runners to keep going.  I was a slower runner.  I couldn't believe that there were still people parked in front of their houses for me.

"Keep going!" they shouted.  

"You're almost done!"  

"Just 1 more mile to go!"  

"You can do it!"

That was just what I needed to finish the race that day!  And it's exactly what I need to finish up this Red Shoe Project now!  I found myself instantly picking up speed.  I meditated on that scripture over and over again as I tackled the challenge of the day.  All went well.  By late afternoon, I ended up at the home of some dear friends, doing what I love most...  enjoying a cup of tea, talking about Jesus, and praying up a storm!  It couldn't have been better!

Wearing my RUBY REDS!

Gail