“Life seldom turns out the way you plan it.” The first line of my latest radio release had never been more true than on September 9, 2008.

My husband David and I were in Colorado Springs visiting our son when we received a call that my father had suffered a heart attack. We packed our bags and flew home a day early to be with him, knowing that a storm by the name of “Ike” was also threatening to make landfall in Texas two days later.

As we walked into our home from the airport, the phone rang. “Ok, let’s get it” my husband said boldly as he hung up the phone. He turned to me and said, “Shannon that was the doctor. I have cancer.”

My father, a hurricane, and now my husband. A feeling of numbness overtook me. It was if my eyes wanted to explode with tears, but my stubbornness interceded. “Not now,” I thought. This was no time for breaking down.

I quietly ascended the stairs and snuggled into my overstuffed “prayer chair.” As I prepared to pour out my heart in formal declarations so that God would “really” hear me, the strangest thing happened.

As I speak and sing at women's events around the country, I am amazed at some of the practical lessons God continues to give me while teaching His Word. One such lesson happened on stage.

While teaching the topic "Is There a Hole In Your Sole?" from my latest conference series, "If the Shoe Fits," I was reminding the women how we often get stuck in emotional holes, when suddenly, I was stuck. Not in an emotional hole, but in the hole of an electrical outlet. The door to an electrical outlet on the stage had been left open and the stiletto heel I was wearing was wedged in the opening. I tried to walk forward, but was unsuccessful. Determined to free myself, I rocked slowly back and forth. I later learned that some of the women thought that I was either having a seizure or feeling a tremendous move of the Spirit. Unable to free myself, I finally told the audience I was stuck, bent over and with a huge tug, removed my shoe from the opening. As the women laughed hysterically, I smiled gracefully, slid the shoe back on my foot, and continued our lesson on holes. That was one hole I would remember for quite some time. 

LET GO OF THE TRIGGER

Don't you love this time of year? Everything around us is decorated in garland and shines with lights. A special season has arrived.

Just as there are seasons within the weather, there are seasons of change and new events in our lives. Change can be frightening for some of us, but new events are an amazing opportunity to see God move on our behalf.

Recently, I elected to try something new. My husband and I had a large delivery of dirt brought to our home. Unfortunately, the trucks left as much dirt on the driveway as they did on our grass. Determined to "do my husband a favor," I decided to try my hand at power washing the driveway.

After rolling the washer onto the driveway, I stared at it for a moment. Couldn't you just plug this thing in and it would start? With modern technology, the idea of pulling a cord seemed absurd.

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Hawaii. The island of Kauai, known as the "Garden Island," provided a much needed escape for my husband and I before the Christmas rush hit head on.

Upon arrival in Kauai, we were encouraged by many to visit the Waimea Canyon. Known as the "Grand Canyon" of the Pacific, this site is visited by thousands throughout the year. Taking other's advice, we signed up for the tour bus that shuttles visitors to the top of the canyon and anxiously awaited our day of adventure.

The morning of our scheduled departure, I jumped out of bed, put on my new Nike's, and strapped on my backpack. (I looked like I should be scaling the canyon instead of taking pictures of it). We hopped into the small shuttle bus and were quickly off for a great day of sight seeing.

The two hour bus ride began with beautiful scenery. Quietly staring out the window, I enjoyed the sights until my attention was stolen by a very unwanted imposter. Oh no. Not on a bus in front of all of these people! Horror began to grip me like a vice. The twists in the road became like a ride at a carnival. I was overwhelmingly nauseous.

HOUSTON, TEXAS – Shannon Perry (www.shannonperry.com) is on a mission to make this holiday season a bit brighter for a special family in need.

During the month of December, proceeds from sales of Perry’s latest CD, “The Real Thing” will be given to a nurse that took care of David Perry, (Shannon’s husband) during his recent battle with cancer.

"The nurse who cared for David during his cancer surgery was like an angel to me. When I learned that this hard working nurse was facing difficulty financially, I knew it was time for us to be an angel to her," said Perry. "This single mom is working desperately just to make ends meet, and she is heartbroken that she may not be able to do much for her two small children this Christmas. I want to change that," she said.

The CD "The Real Thing" is selling for $15 during the month of December. A majority of the proceeds from the sale of each CD will go to the nurse and her two small children.

This week, my home state of Texas made national news when soldiers at Ft. Hood were viciously attacked on their own home soil. As I watched the chain of events unfold on television, I grieved deeply for the families of these brave men and women so unjustly snatched from us. Being the mother of a U.S. soldier, I felt compelled to show support for the victims. I walked to the flag pole in my front yard and silently prayed as I lowered the stars and stripes to half mast. Little did I know that during my silent time of grieving, I had received a text message that would forever impact my prayer life. It simply said, “Mom, it’s hard here. Please pray for me.”

For years I had prayed to be married and to be a mom, but at age 35, I was neither. Throughout the years I was single, I was a school teacher and counselor. The second year I taught first grade, a beautiful little six year old blonde haired, blue eyed boy wearing “Osh Kosh B’Gosh” overalls and red tennis shoes walked into my classroom. He stuck out his hand and said, “Hi, my name is Sean.” I had never seen a more beautiful child. After greeting Sean, I stood up and saw his Daddy standing behind him and quickly recognized that Sean had inherited his good looks.

Have you ever found yourself wrapped up in something?  I mean REALLY wrapped up! 

Last week I was in the Louisville airport and decided I would visit the Ladies Room one last time before boarding my plane bound for Texas.  It would soon be a visit I would never forget.

Upon fulfillment of my reason for visiting the facility, I reached for the toilet paper.   Seeking to unroll what was rightfully mine, I suddenly realized that the toilet paper was not moving my direction.  I gave it a gentle tug.  Nothing.  I pulled somewhat harder.  Nothing.  When at last I yanked on the roll as hard as I could, I realized that the obstacle to my desire was none other than the strings to my shirt.  During my attempt to unroll a slight amount of paper, the strings to my shirt found their way into the toilet paper holder and I was hung.  I pulled away from the holder, but like gravity, I was quickly sucked back in toward the bright silver box. 

Have you ever chosen an object that you can see or hold to remind you that God is at work in your life? 

Lately my pastor has been encouraging our congregation to find something tangible that reminds us of God's presence. After deciding that I would participate in this interesting challenge, I began looking around for something unusual that would catch my attention and draw my focus toward God.  After days of pondering, I finally chose feathers. 

I got the idea that feathers would be a good reminder of God in my life after reading Psalm 91 during my quiet time one morning. Psalm 91:4 says, "He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge." He promises to protect us when we are left feeling exposed by life's surprises.  

Have you ever had a “bad hair” day?  I am not referring to the kind that the curling iron can cure.  These are the days when events in your life seem unbelievable.  While I have certainly had my share of such days, one event stands out above the rest.

It was Sunday and I was running late for a concert.  I was due for a sound check in thirty minutes and the church was forty five minutes from my office.  I was fifteen minutes into my commute when I realized I had forgotten a significant piece of music that I needed for the evening.  I called a friend who had a copy of what I needed and quickly drove to his home.  Upon arrival, I jumped out of my car in a panic and shut the locked door while my car was still running.  You guessed it!  Not only would I miss the sound check.  It would be a miracle if I made the concert!

Shannon Perry's column, Grace in High Heels, will be featured once a week.

“Do you feel like Raggedy Ann living in a Barbie Doll world?”  This question caught my attention recently while shopping with friends at a Louisiana craft store.  It also made me laugh hysterically.  Why?  Because I could identify. 

As I speak and sing at women’s conferences throughout the country, I have many opportunities to talk with women who also who feel like Raggedy Ann (or “Annie” as I like to call her).  They have had the life squeezed from them, but feel obligated to meet life’s demands looking like “Barbie.”