"Learning to Float!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 67 -

Help!  My butt is sinking!

I don't know about you, but when I was little, there was no better thing to do than swim in the pool.  No matter where my parents went on vacation, as long as there was a pool, I was content!  It didn't even have to be sunny -- or warm, for that matter.  Within seconds, I'd be in my bathing suit and jumping in!  Then I'd stay in the entire day.  It wasn't uncommon for my fingers and toes to be all shriveled up!  I was a "waterbug!"

Who taught you how to swim when you were little?  Did you learn at summer camp?  Maybe you wore floaties on your arms?  When my son was still a baby, we put a life jacket on him and threw him into the deep end of the pool.  Of course his dad was right there to catch him.  My son turned out to be a fish in disguise!

One of my earliest childhood memories is of my dad teaching me how to back float in the pool.  

"If you ever get tired when you're in the water,"  he said,  "just flip onto your back, put your arms out to the side, point your chin up to the sky and relax! -- You'll be just fine."  

Of course the challenge was  not letting my butt sink downward.  If that happened, there'd be all sorts of splashing about, which lead to flipping back over and desperately reaching for the side of the pool.  But it never got that far out of hand.  That was because my dad was always right there with me.  He'd put his hand under me and push my mid-section upward until I steadied myself.  I can still hear his encouraging words...  

"Relax -- You're okay.  There you go.  

You're doing it!  Now keep going."  

I miss my dad!  He was a really good father.  He made sure I knew how to take care of myself in challenging situations.  He was a patient teacher and never let me go off on my own, until he was sure I could handle things.  Today -- as I stepped out of my house in RED shoes --  The Holy Spirit reminded me of those back float lessons.  

"When it comes to finances,"   He said,  

"You don't have to be afraid.  I'm right here!   

Don't panic... I won't let you sink.  Trust Me."

I believe I've been wearing RED shoes for 432 days now.  Can you believe it?  I'm a little disappointed in myself that I still have moments of uncertainty. But God reminded me, today,  that He's not going anywhere.  He'll stay with me on this, until I get it.  Some things take a little longer to master than others.

 Actually, I'm becoming a pretty good floater. 

 I still have to think about it at times.  Sometimes, I have to concentrate on my breathing and staying calm.  I look forward to the day that I do it unconsciously, and with ease  --  when I don't give God's provision a second thought -- when my Daddy doesn't have to guard me so closely 

-- when I can officially say that I'm an

Advanced Swimmer and a Master  Floater.  

Gail