"It's not over yet!"

Stepping out in RED shoes!

- Day 13 -

The Road Trip Continues.

After visiting Granny, we were once again on the road.  Our ultimate destination  was Orlando, where we would meet up with family and friends.  We arrived late in the evening, stayed up for several hours - chatting like girls often do -- and finally hit the sack.  

Today I was up bright and early for church.  I threw on my RUBY REDS and headed out the door with my best friend.  I enjoy visiting other churches while I'm out of town.  I found it interesting that the pastor's message this morning was about  "enlarging your borders" --especially since Bonnie and I have added the evening Bonfire to our ministry schedule this year.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 

"Oh that You would bless me and enlarge 

my territory!  Let Your hand be with me, 

and keep me from harm so that I will be 

free from pain."

And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4:10

After church, we returned home, had a wonderful meal together and spent the day getting caught up in what everyone was up to these days.  As the day progressed, slowly people began to head homeward.  We really needed to leave too.  It would take us a couple hours to get home and darkness had already set in.  

Somehow though -- we got sidetracked.  The conversation took an unexpected twist.  My friend asked me some questions about my son's upcoming wedding,  and we found ourselves looking at plane flights on the internet.  Before I knew it, she and her husband were booking me a round trip ticket.  Wow!  What an unexpected blessing!  

More often than not, people don't like me to make a huge fuss over their gift-giving -- a  simple  "THANK YOU"  will more than suffice.  They don't want the attention focused on them.  They like to remain anonymous.  They will say things like, "God put it on our heart to give this gift to you."   Even still, 

I do my best to thank people for their generosity and to let them know how appreciative I am.

Last week, when I went to that meeting in Tampa with Dr. Murdock, he told the most interesting story of a little girl in his family and how she responds whenever he gives her a gift. "Oh thank you!"  she states enthusiastically, all smiles and giggles.  "This is the best gift ever!  It's exactly what I wanted! "   He says that her joyful response makes him want to give to her more.  Then he contrasted that with people who are glum receivers.  He never wants to give to them again.

As my friends were booking my flight, that story popped in my mind.  I couldn't help myself.  I decided right then and there to be a world class receiver.  

Thank you so much for this awesome gift!  

I smiled

You have just lifted the weight 

of the world off my shoulders.

Now I don't have to worry about 

how I'm going to get myself to one 

of the most important events of 

my son's life!  You're the best!  

THANK YOU!

Wow!  Did that feel good.  For me, it was like a river of joy rushing forth from my heart.  

But that wasn't' all! -- The night was just getting started.  Someone nearby happened to see what happened and wanted a part of the blessing.  They pulled a $100 bill out of their pocket before leaving and asked that it be used for whatever need I might have.  Little did they know that it would cover my car insurance payment for the month.

The clock was ticking away and to be honest, I had completely lost track of the time. There were only a couple friends still visiting when someone asked me to share a testimony of healing and deliverance in my family.  Long story short, the Holy Spirit jumped right in the middle of it all, and before I knew it, I was praying for healing and deliverance for someone right there at the table.  It was a powerful time of ministry!  The person rededicated their life to Christ 100% and we are believing for God to do great and mighty things in their new life!  What a way to start the new year!

Everyone left.  It was late.  Grace and I decided to stay over and leave in the morning.  Our road trip just got extended.  To think that God decided to move so powerfully in the last hours of the evening.  What can I say? -- He's full of surprises!  

Sometimes, just when I think the day is over, 

 I'm ready to kick off my RED shoes, 

but God begins to move,

and there I am

 stepping out in RED shoes instead!

Gail