"Kick start!"

 Stepping Out in RED shoes!

Day 21

How do you kick start your day?

I bet if we took a survey, the #1 answer would be "COFFEE."   For years I've heard my friends say...

 "I can't start the day without my cup of coffee!"  Caffeine gives them the boost they're looking for.

Did you know that I have never had a cup of coffee?  Seriously, not ever! -- I grew up in a tea drinking family.  One day, when I was young, I took a little sip of coffee and vowed never to take another.  The bitter taste never appealed to me.  Add to that, the fact, that all those coffee drinker friends of mine were continually saying things like, "I've got to cut back on the coffee! I'm addicted!"  I figure after all those years of refraining, now isn't the time to start.

When my kids were little, their dad used to bring them by Duncan Donuts.  He'd get his coffee and they'd get to order their favorite donut which was usually a  "Today's Special" -- some sort of frosted donut with sprinkles.  Sugar rush!!!   What kid wouldn't say, "YUM!" to that?  I know a lot of adults who would agree with them!

For those who are more health conscious, a morning run in the park or a walk on the beach is a must.  Getting those endorphins moving is their perfect solution.  I had a friend once who made it a point to get to the beach everyday. There's something about fresh air, sunshine, and a fast paced walk or jog that sets the pace for their entire day.   Many like the solitude of it all. Hearing the waves go in and out, the cool breeze on their face, the quietness of the sunrise.  They breathe it all in and somehow it equalizes them. -- It brings balance to an anticipated hectic work day!

Still others, rush out of the house at the break of day.  Their wake up routine starts at their desk.  They want to get a "jump start"  on the day before anyone else arrives at the office.  Their routine is to get their computer on, have their coffee, go over their calendar and be totally organized and prepared by 8 a.m. sharp!  They feel good knowing they are off and running when the whistle blows!

Though many of you think that slipping into my RED shoes is the first thing I do -- that is incorrect.  If you've been following me for a while, you know that I like to stay put in bed and have a time of prayer with God.  Now I know what some of you are thinking.  You think that's just a cover up for a little extra snooze time.  No!  I prop myself up and have a legit time with God.  I find the Divine Reception to be at it's best, before the noise of the day clutters my brain. 

Last night, I fell asleep reading a book on prayer by E.M. Bounds.  Page after page listed the testimonies of mighty men of God who spent their first hours of the day in prayer.  Some 2 hours -- others 4 -- some spent up to 10 hours praying!  Yikes!!!  

I've got a long way to go to build up 

that kind of stamina in the prayer closet,  

but it was never more evident than today, 

that my old prayer plan no longer works.  

It used to be that all I could spare was 10 or 15 minutes in the morning.  A cup of tea, a slice of toast, the reading of a one-page devotional and a 30 second prayer did the trick.  Before "Amen!" came off my lips,  I was out the door, off and running.

I can't do that anymore.  It doesn't work for me!  Ever since I started The RED Shoe Project,  my time "in the prayer closet"   keeps increasing! -- not out of obligation, mind you -- once I'm in, I often don't want to come out!  

This morning I was out the door early, in my RED shoes.  I did get in a little prayer time before leaving --  not to mention, my first stop of the day was a prayer meeting!  By the time I returned home at 4, however, I was run down.  I couldn't wait to get with God.  All I kept thinking was,  "I'll never do that again!"  There simply wasn't enough personal time invested with God before I went out the door.  

I get that everybody doesn't have the luxury, the grace or perhaps the call to spend hours in prayer with God, but looking back, I could have and should have done more -- for my own personal benefit!  I didn't "get it"  back then.  I didn't "get it"  all that long ago.  But I "get it"  now.  All those sermons I heard preached about the importance of giving God the  "first fruits" of your day, --  I just blew them off thinking, "That's not for me!  That doesn't fit my schedule!  I can pray later, at night!  What difference does it make?"

The only one who missed out, was me!  And I didn't even know it!  No more.  I'm determined to keep on stepping into the prayer closet in RED shoes,  first thing, each day and throughout my day!

Today I heard a Bible teacher make an interesting challenge to her students.  The topic was tithing.  She said, "Even if you don't understand it, just give it a try!  See what happens."  

That's my challenge to you.  Just try giving God the first fruits of your day.  Not for a day... but for 30 days.  Put this practice to the test and see for yourself whether or not it's worth it.  At least you will have tried and tested it, to see if you were missing out on something extraordinary!

"In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait expectantly."

Psalm 5:3

In RED shoes,

Gail