That’s what I told Kevin, Jason, and Ceri this morning! I went as far as forming a group with all four of us as motivation for me to work on a book with them as collaborators. “Let’s do it as a gift to God and the world with some great advice for everyone to live their best lives with Him!” I enthusiastically wrote. I want the world to know God’s voice and precisely what He is saying to us in every moment of our lives as we tackle the big and small stuff that life throws our way! We are not alone; We have God!!!

Like this patience thing that God and Kevin have been teaching me. ‘Please be patient,’ was the title I suggested for a chapter after listening to Kevin say to me so many times, “Neeks, you’re going to have to be patient right now.” Let me tell ya, that patience thing is working. Thanks, K! Not only is Kevin advising me to be patient, but God is also getting in on that advice. I randomly opened one of my meditation books today, and this message showed up:

“The second piece of advice which Christ offers us refers to patience, patience with ourselves and with others. ‘In patience, by endurance, you will possess your souls,’ the Gospel tells us somewhere else: the ultimate price of holiness is, then, patience – the perseverance which lets the word of God yield a harvest (Lk 8:15). Patience which is always humble, and prudence and a humble will which make sure we never substitute our own plans for God’s plans.”

Then I recently rediscovered this message from my son, Emmie:

“A wise man once said that patience is a virtue. Good things come to people who wait. You cannot succeed in life without patience. It is hard to be patient in life, we all go through hard times, and in those rough times, it’s hard not to give up, but the people who endure and who are patient, always succeed.”

God is pretty talkative! From Kevin, a random book, an essay from my son written a good year ago, bumper stickers on cars saying, “Please be patient,” are all God saying, ‘Nik, be patient.’ “My sheep know my voice and they follow me,” is the Bible verse that I want the world going with that we know precisely the direction God would have us to go in tackling especially challenging situations.

And as I’m taking Kevin’s advice about patience, I’m also following Ceri, who taught me to allow God to have the opportunity to be God by leaving matters in His hands to tackle. Not me trying to control people and situations. “Be still and know that I am God!” Wink! Wink!

My brother, Jason, was so sweet to offer me an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas, but I want him to know that when you look up spoilt in the dictionary, you will see a picture of my daughter, Ember, and me holding hands (like Julie teases us!). But when you look up the word strong, you will see a picture of me holding God’s hand! Making me God’s spoilt and strong girl! His ways are not always easy, but they’re always best! All eyes on God following wherever He leads us (even through rugged paths). Our reward is with Him, who gives us more than we can ever imagine when we walk faithfully with Him. Amen!