That’s God’s promise to me in this verse that has carried me through so many challenges:

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, BE ASSURED I WILL HELP YOU; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’” – Isaiah 41:10 AMP

And help me is what God is doing ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! Like yesterday, I discussed with someone in Nigeria how we would find suitable candidates to fill some crucial positions to assist my faithful husband who goes overboard in his love and support of us (thanks, my boo!). We posted a listing with a popular site, but were disappointed by the low number of responses.

A few hours later, I got a message from someone who doesn’t even work with us anymore saying, “I thought to place advert on another site, and they’ve been responding. I will send resumes in batches as they come.” And today we’ve talked to so many of those candidates. Let me tell ya, anything I’m concerned about, it’s a concern for God. When I saw that text from her, I was amazed at how intimately God is involved in our lives because it was as if she was in that earlier conversation. I took it as God saying, ‘Don’t worry, My Nik, you need candidates; here you go.’ This person was overwhelmed by the responses within minutes of placing the ad. God is truly at work in the spiritual realm on our behalf!

God even got involved with an argument that I’m having with my daughter, Ember. She was thinking of transferring to another university, and I point blank told her, “No way! That’s the university God Himself picked for you! You see those two huge 117 signs at your gate? That’s His way of letting us know that this is where He wants you.” 11 and 7 together has been the way God communicates with Ember and me that His invisible Presence is with us.

So, you know teenage daughters. She wasn’t accepting that! So, in trying to hustle and sell a car, I had her drive like 40 minutes to pick up a part. She gets there, and unbelievably the sales tax for the part came to exactly $7.11. The next day, I was out with my brother Jason and remembered that I needed a charger. Of all the options, I picked one and go to the cashier to pay. The total with taxes came to $17.11. I sent her the pic asking. Does this prove that God Himself wants you at that university, not your mom trying to control you? That now changed the conversation to her excitedly telling me about an interview she has tomorrow for an internship for when she returns. That’s what I’m talking about! My help comes from the Lord, baby!

“Someone wants to have a date with you?” she told me late one night. I asked who wants to go out with me? It was her friend who has been like an angel to my daughter guys. I honestly started crying talking to her on the phone. She is such a positive friend who studies with Ember in the library and they both are positive influences on each other. She provides my daughter with such support, love, and friendship.

In Florida, the girls pay a lot of money to have their hair braided, Samira braids Ember’s hair for free, keeping her looking so pretty for us. Ember finished her first semester with a 3.87 GPA out of 4. I kept staring at her grades of all A’s and one B+ just thanking God for everything is doing for us. It was Him who wanted her there and made it happen after my husband insisted that Ember could not go to New York. God had the final say, and Ember didn’t disappoint us. Proud of you boo! God knew why I needed you first to set such a fine example for your siblings.

Make sure you are seeking God in every decision. Every circumstance. Every relationship. Obey Him and leave the consequences to Him.

“Move on your dreams without the fear of failure, without the fear of disappointment, without the fear of lack of support, but instead with a new attitude of courage.” – Unknown