"Blind Spot"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

- Day 23 -

Have you ever been driving along the road thinking you had the road all to yourself? -- when suddenly...   Whoosh!  A car flies right past you.  As you catch your breath, you ask yourself, 

"Where did that car come from?" 

Just seconds earlier, you were looking in your rear view mirror and you saw nothing!  

Blind Spot!

The "Blind Spot"  in your car is the area to the side 

and slightly behind a driver's field of vision that is 

not reflected in the vehicle's rear view mirror.

Nowadays, many vehicles come equipped with mirrors that have a second mirror attached to them that specifically allows the driver to see what's in their  "Blind Spot."   How great is that?  Think of the reduction in accidents!

Sometimes a "Blind Spot"  is called a "Dead Spot." 

That's when you're seated or standing in a particular part of 

an auditorium, arena, room or space and

you're unable to see or hear satisfactorily.

Years ago, that was a major issue at events.  If your seat was too far away, it was like watching ants perform.  Opera glasses and binoculars were popular bring-alongs.  But what if you were seated at a wedding behind a huge column?  You'd have to get up from your seat and reposition yourself just to see the best man give the toast!

That doesn't happen much anymore!  Whether you're at a sporting event, a church service, a conference, a special luncheon, a concert or a meeting, big screens are positioned in designated spots, so everyone can see perfectly. Every seat becomes a front row seat!

Finally, there's the personal "Blind Spot."  Yikes!  No one wants to admit it, but we've all been there.  That's when you're totally unaware that you are doing something undesirable.  You look stupid and everybody knows it, but you.  You don't "get it!"  You're blind to it.  Even when someone points it out to you, you think they're joking. No matter what, you just can't see it!

A "Blind Spot" may refer to an area or subject 

in which someone is uniformed, prejudiced, or unappreciative.

Over the years, I've learned that it's important to pay close attention when family or close friends tell you have a blind spot.  You don't have to stay blind!  You can choose to listen or you can choose to ignore them.  The results?  You can change or you can continue to look stupid.  Do you even have to think about that?
  

Today, the Lord pointed out a Spiritual "Blind Spot"  to me.  All these years, I was lead to believe that having a prestigious job title and position gave one status among their colleagues.  People listen to you.  They respect you.  Doors open for you.  You may even get offered a more prestigious position.

Many of you know that this RED Shoe Project journey, amongst other things, has been a season of dying to self.  Being unemployed is part of the job description.   Many times I've wondered why.  There are several answers to that question, but today God talked to me about one in particular.

He wants me to trust in Him alone!

That's part of my personal training.

My Blind Spot is trusting 

in myself, my career, 

my position, my own efforts 

to "open doors."

Scripture tells me, it's God that grants favor.  He is the one who changes the heart and mind of people in authority.  He is the one who opens doors and makes a way where there is no way.  He is the one who puts rulers and leaders in and out of authority.  Consider these references:

"For You, O Lord will bless the righteous with favor."  (Psalm 5:12)

"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water;  

He turns it which ever way He desires."   (Proverbs 21:1)

"... He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

"He changes times and seasons;  He deposes and raises up others." (Daniel 2:21)

I've come to realize that I actually have many spiritual "Blind Spots."   Thank goodness I serve a God who is gracious and merciful, patient and long-suffering with me.  He is an awesome teacher and I am learning!

As I step out in RED shoes, I'm glad I have someone covering my back.  -- Someone who's not afraid to make me aware of things that I don't see. -- Someone who's got my best interests in mind!  He's teaching me the ropes!  He wants me to be successful in all I do.   I want that too!

In this RED Shoe Project, God is continually opening my eyes to His ways, through His Word.  I've made a conscious decision to receive what He says and change my ways to align with His.

My goal is not to just step out in RED shoes, 

It's to step out -- in agreement with Him -- in RED  shoes.  

Here I go!

Gail

"Book worm"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

Day 22

Stay in the Story!

Have you ever been totally engrossed in a book?  You can't put it down.  You're hooked!  You carry it with you everywhere you go.  If a moment arises in which you find yourself with nothing to do, you flip it open and  pick up the story where you last left off.  You find yourself reading everywhere you go -- at the grocery check-out, in the doctor's office, while waiting for friends to join you at the restaurant.  All of a sudden, your t.v. shows don't matter.  The book is better!

Every once in a while I'll catch myself in the middle of one book and distracted by the title of another book.  It's so tempting to put the book I'm reading down, and pick up the other one.  Oh no!  If I do that, I'm sure to lose the momentum of the first story.  There have been times when the second book pulled me so far within it's pages, that it was years before I went back and finished the first book.  The excitement of the new story caused me to shift gears and off I went in another direction.

You might think the first book was boring -- Not so!  In fact, when I finally returned to the first book -- even in cases when months or years had past -- I was surprised I had ever put it down.  Sure enough, all the good stuff was still waiting for me to read.  Before long, I was captivated once again.


Today, I asked the Lord, one more time,  "When am I getting married?"  I'm a little surprised that it hasn't already happened.  I know some of you are laughing because you know that I'm not even dating!  The Lord's response was quite interesting.  He reminded me that after Pauly (the bulldog) left for New Jersey with my daughter, He told me that it would be just me and Him for a while!

He says that He and I have a love story going on.  

It's one of the greatest seasons of my life and 

He doesn't want me distracted -- especially 

when all the good stuff is about to go down!

Jeremiah 31:1 says...

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

I can't argue with that.  It's like that old chorus...

 "It gets sweeter and sweeter as the days go by.  

Oh what a love between my Lord and I.  

I keep falling in love with Him, over and over 

and over and over again!"

Apparently, He is concerned that my attention will shift, if "my guy"  comes into my life prematurely.  Of course it would only be right, for my attention to be focused on the man I was to marry.  God knows that.  That's why this time is just for us.  After all, there are life changing experiences that haven't taken place yet.  There are conversations that haven't been whispered.  There is a Divine Engagement that is still to take place.  I want everything God has to offer!  I want it all!   I'm in no rush, whatsoever.

Of course God will always be with me.  His heart and mine will always be connected.  He'll always be #1.
But a husband will  require my attention -- there's no way around that.  So for now, it's all about...

The LORD -- 100% -- me and Him.  

He is the Lover of my soul, my King and my God!

"I love you, LORD, my strength."

Psalm 18:1

I'm not stepping out of this story.  I'm staying in the center of it, RED shoes and all!  I'm reading every word and walking it out to completion.  Only then will it be time for the next chapter.

In RED shoes, 
Gail

"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

"Bundle up!"

Stepping Out in RED shoes!

Day 20

I wasn't even out of bed yet, let alone in my RED shoes.  In fact, I had just opened my eyes and WHAM! 
I was struck -- hard and unexpectedly -- right in the center of my forehead.  Was the devil right there, just waiting for me to open my eyes?  Yikes!  You bet he was.  I wanted to just slip under the covers and hide,
but that would be totally ineffective and inappropriate for a battle of this nature.

"Take cover!"

shouted the Lord.

"Put on your armor!"

Two days ago, I had the most delightful prayer walk with the Lord.  It had to be one of the most amazing moments of my life.  I'm not kidding!  It was as if there was an open heaven.  Then yesterday... well, that was another story entirely.  It was treacherous!  It was like walking through a mine field.

Come on!  Really?  

What happened to the open heaven? 

It was the most un-enjoyable walk ever.  Every few steps I took, came with an unwanted blast from the past.  It was as if the enemy of my soul had a dump truck filled with every thought and memory I had ever discarded in prayer and placed under the blood.

God may have forgotten all my sins, 
but the enemy seems to have collected 
and saved each and every one for
such a time as this.

BOOM!  BOOM!  BOOM!   He chucked them at me, one after the other,  and refused to back off!

If the day before hadn't been so outstandingly wonderful, perhaps it wouldn't have been so blatantly obvious that the devil was at work.  I held up my shield and recited God's Word, pulling out every truth I had, deflecting the lies, one after the other.  By the time I got home, needless to say, I was worn out!

I turned in early last night, ready for a good night's sleep.  Shutting off the light, I quietly whispered,
"What was with that walk today, Lord?"

"That was an attack of the enemy."  He replied.
"You're on his radar now.  There's a lot going
down, so he's pouring in on.  Expect it!
Don't be surprised!  Get your armor on daily.
Stay under my wing and know that my army 
is protecting you!"

First thing this morning, I made a mad dash from my bed, straight into the bathroom, mumbling something about Ephesians 6.  I quickly threw some cold water on my face, brushed my teeth,  grabbed my Bible and headed to the Secret Place.  When I finally came out of there, I was bundled up in the armor of God -- ready for anything!

Ok... it wasn't all that comfortable.  I was reminded of when I used to bundle up my babies before going out into the cold weather up north.  They were warm and safe, all snuggled up in their snowsuits, but moving wasn't much of an option.  LOL.

Years ago, a dear friend of mine went into full time ministry as a pastor.  I'll never forget him telling me that the very first day that he showed up for work, he felt the weight and responsibility of his position come on him.  The enemy took note of him and never backed off.

I'm heeding that wisdom, personally, but let me also say this:

• Can we all take a moment right now, to pray for the pastors we serve under?  
• Can we pull down the strongholds of the enemy on their behalf?  
• Can we give them some prayerful relief, so they can take a moment to breathe?

We forget, sometimes, that our leaders are the ones the enemy strives to take out first.  That pastor friend I mentioned?  He won many souls to Christ.  He pioneered a church plant that's still in place today.  But eventually, he got knocked down and taken out of the game... at least for awhile.

Won't you step out in RED shoes with me and fight on your pastor's behalf?
Don't wait a moment.  Lift up a prayer right now!

Gail

"Reverse!"

Stepping Out in RED Shoes!

Day 19

Sometimes you have to shift into REVERSE!

Let me explain!  Two days ago,  I was talking about "Distractions."   Every day, I start out totally focused on God, and before I know it, distractions are vying for my attention.  The enemy turns up the heat, sends out his troops, throws everything he's got in my direction, just to get me to turn my head, shift gears, and reroute my focus.  

He doesn't care what I focus on, 

as long as it's not God.

Ever since I wrote that, a thought has been going through my mind:  

What if I ask God to continually distract me?  

Distract me Lord with your Word!  

Distract me Lord with your Voice!  

Distract me Lord with your Love!  

What if I give God full liberty to distract me every moment of every day?  

Let's just throw this whole plan 

of the enemy into REVERSE!

Just yesterday, I was praying for people and caught myself asking for Divine Distractions: 

"Lord -- distract them with Your presence!" 

"Without notice, pull them out of their troubles and into the Secret Place with You!"  

"Remind them -- right  now -- of the great things You have done!"

"In a moment, quicken Your Word to their heart, Lord!"

"Without notice, captivate them with Your love!"

"Touch them in a glorious way, when they least expect it!"

"Mysteriously change their focus from themselves to You."

"Reroute their thoughts of despair to victory in Christ Jesus!"

Yes, the enemy has a plan to defeat us with distractions, but my plan is to...

 Step into the Prayer Closet each day,

 and put it in REVERSE!

I'll be praying for YOU!  

Expect a Divine Distraction!

In RED shoes, 

Gail

"The Box"

Stepping out in RED shoes

- Day 18 -

Several weeks ago, while cleaning, I came across a drawer filled with all sorts of miscellaneous electronics:  
old cell phones, chargers, wires of various sizes, head sets, a radio, a mini note book -- the list goes on and on.  That's the drawer where I put all the stuff that I don't understand, don't use, but am afraid to throw out -- just incase it's important.  Since I hadn't opened that drawer for years, I figured it was safe to get rid of all the stuff in it.

A good friend of mine -- James -- loves to tinker around with electronics, especially phones.  Phones that some people discard thinking they are useless, he fixes and resells.  He's a mastermind when it comes to that!  That said, I decided to gift James with my box of goodies hoping that he might be able to find some gems in what looked like a pile of rubbish to me.  "I'm going to throw all this stuff out!"  I said. 
"Do whatever you want with it.  It's yours!"

It was tough getting out of bed this morning.  A cold front has moved in, so the heat has been turned on in the house.  In some strange way, that all manages to keep me in slumberland a little longer than I'd like.  When I finally did jump out of bed, it took me a while to get moving.  As I sat on the couch, drinking my cup of hot tea and doing my morning devotional, the Holy Spirit kept nudging me. 

 "Come on!  Get dressed. 

 Let's go for a prayer walk!"  

I just love it when the Holy Spirit nudges me to do something!  When that happens, I don't have to go looking for God or wonder if He's going to show up for what I want to do.  All I have to do is follow Him.  Immediately, I threw on my sweatpants and RED sneakers, grabbed my visor and sunglasses, and out the door I went  for a walk in the neighborhood with God.  What a glorious time we had!

It was during this walk together, that God reminded me of the box.

We had quite a chat about 

the contents of that box!  

Who would have thought that God was into electronics -- let alone that He'd take on the challenge of dispelling the mystery of it all to me?  LOL.  

James got such a kick out of one of the old, archaic phones he discovered.  It's basically useless now, but because it was so unique in it's time, it fostered appreciation and warm memories for him. Sometimes I feel that way when it comes to the move of God and evangelism.  There are methods and tools of old, that were great in their day, but... they don't cut it anymore.  

Today, they may be out of style and ineffective, but nonetheless,  I can remember using them, in my youth, to witness to people and have treasured stories of people giving their lives to Christ because of them.    Today, though -- no way!  They don't work!

God reminded me of the importance of clearing the way for new, innovative tools and methods to reach the lost.  

Also in that box was an old Bose radio.  It was a nice piece of equipment in its day, but when James and his dad opened it up -- in hopes to repair it -- they discovered that an integral part of the electronics had melted away.  It wasn't something that could be fixed or replaced.  It was all used up!  It's life was over.  

Surely God is telling me that some 
of my old ways are over and done with!  
It's time to toss them!  

Now there was one device, in particular, that James and his dad wanted to point out to me.  It was a blue tooth.  They were amazed to find such a thing, and thought I might have put it in the box by mistake.  It  appeared to be brand new.  

"Yeah, I tried it once and didn't like it."   I told them. 
"To be honest, I didn't really know how to use it!" 

"No... you don't understand, this is a nice
 device,  not to mention, very expensive.  
We can show you how to use it."  they insisted!

For a moment that got my attention, but I could also see that the dad was excited, because it was a useful tool for his business.  I love it!  I had stumbled upon an opportunity to give  "The Perfect Gift!"  (Day 16)

"You keep it and use it!"  I insisted. 
"I didn't want it when I bought it,
 and I don't want it now!  It's yours!"  

 I got more joy out of just knowing that little device - that had been sitting in my drawer for a couple years doing nothing -- was finally going to be used! 

The right tool in the right person's 

hand is priceless!  

That same tool, in the wrong person's hand, 

is rendered useless.

Finally, we all had a laugh over a mini-notebook that was sitting in a box, never opened.  "Where did you get that?"  James asked me.  I wasn't quite sure, but I think it was a free gift for taking a survey.   At first glance, James thought he had found a treasure.  But when he took it out of the box and began playing with it, he discovered that it's operating system had insufficient capacity to run the applications on it.  Some things are just duds, I guess.  They look good on the outside, but they don't work - period!

So here's the real topper.  After talking about all that with the Lord, I sensed that He wanted to do something.  I couldn't quite figure out what, so I pulled off the path to give God my full attention.   I took the earbuds out of my ears, and shut off the worship music I was listening to. 

 "Just walk and be quiet for a bit,  Gail. 

 I need to do something."

I left the music off, began walking and just listened to the quiet all around me.  I wasn't sure what God was doing, but He said to be quiet, so I obeyed.  Right as I turned the corner at the 3 mile marker, the Lord announced, "That's it!  It's done!"  

"What's done?"  I asked.

"I've uploaded your new operating system.  
Now you have greater capacity for ministry!  
There's all sorts of things you were unable 
to do or even conceive of that you can do, now."

"Really Lord?"  I responded in amazement.

"Yes, you've been upgraded!"

How great is that?  I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see the what this baby can do!  He didn't give me a manual, so my guess is that He'll be training me in the prayer closet, as well as taking me out for some on-the-job training.

It's going to be an interesting year, stepping out in RED shoes!

Gail

"A Distraction"

Stepping out in RED shoes!

Day 17

I start out focused on GOD.

Suddenly there is... 

an interruption

a disturbance

an interference

a hindrance.

My attention is... 

diverted

deflected 

rerouted

redirected.

  What is it?

 A distraction.

I am no longer focused on GOD.

My mind has...

wandered off

changed gears

gotten off track

forgotten what I was doing.

Exodus 33:11 says...

"The LORD would speak to Moses face to face,

as one speaks to a friend."

What is it that's distracting you?

What robs you of the time it takes to 

build an intimate relationship with God?

How are you going to fix that?

Are you going to fix that?

Stepping out in RED shoes,

 starts with the removal of distractions.

Just something to ponder.

Gail