HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS STUFF, MAN?!?

That was me to my brother, Kevin, today. He sent me this voice note over two years ago concerning my runs every day to my God tree:

“I don’t know if it gives you strength. I think it gives you wisdom. It gives you time to think, to plan, to focus. You are in a war; you realize that right? Any problem that you have is a war. So, you need to strategize, and I think your runs give you clarity in everything. Keep running. Trust me when I tell you this, I think that is the key.”

Oh my goodness, these runs blow me away with how God Himself shows up to speak to me about every aspect of my life. A few Saturdays ago, under the tree, God brought to my attention how my son, Emmie was only a few points short of achieving all A’s last school year. That day he and his brother came to the office, and they sat in a car pretending to clean it, while on their phone I thought about their current grades compared to the ones they were getting last year, and momma bear went crazy! I took away their PS4 that very weekend saying they broke our agreement that they could play on weekends only if they kept their grades up. Grades going down, NO PS4!

The next day they both revolted on me, refusing to cooperate with my insisting that they work on their school assignments. Let me tell ya, I was in my little home office, and God showed up. I felt Him saying in my Spirit to get their dad involved, who is in Nigeria. I begged my hubby to please stick with me and have a talk with them with me. Honestly, as soon as both heard their father’s voice, they immediately started crying. Next thing I knew, about 30 minutes later, Emmie came to my office door saying, “Mommy, you are right, I’m going to start aiming back for all A’s.” Then, I started crying and hugging him! That was a few weeks ago, and I’m happy to report that both of my sons are back on the honor roll track! Praise God!

I was at Emmie’s school last night watching his Christmas concert, where he played in the orchestra, and I was so happy. Our plans were to be back in Nigeria with hubby and boys going to school there, but God’s plans were for us to be here. How do I know this? I always tell you guys how when I see 117 or 711 they are God’s reminders that He is with us. Can you believe Emmie’s student number includes 7117 and Joshies’ 711? I’m even fighting with my daughter, who wants to change universities. I told her no way because that’s where God wants her. Can you believe there are two huge 117 signs at the entrance of her university?

That’s the love I receive from God where I can have the peace that passes all understanding, knowing He is always with me AND MY FAMILY, y’all. The runs to the tree are just like Kevin said, I get God’s direction and clarity on my life. When I’m away from the tree, I pay attention to His voice which gets more evident every day, and what He would have me do every moment. See how that direction from Him to involve hubs got the boys back on track. I was on the phone today with Emmie crying happy tears, thanking him for being such an important influence on Joshie and me. Some mornings I don’t want to wake up, but I hear him getting up precisely on time to take his shower and get dressed, and then that’s my motivation to get up and fight with Joshie to get him up.

God even had the sweetest thing to say to be about those days when I struggle to get out of bed:

“So be glad on those days when you can barely get out of bed—when you feel sluggish and just not ready to face the world. Yes, be glad! Tell yourself that this is the perfect day to practice trusting and depending on Me. If you keep depending on me throughout your day, you will make a wonderful discovery as you crawl into bed at night. You will discover that My Joy and peace have become your companions. You may not know exactly when they joined you on your journey through the day. But you will feel the benefits of having been in their company.” – Jesus Calling Devotional For Kids

What time are your appointments with God? I take time under my God tree to reread old blogs and my meditation books, and he always figures out some way to let me know that His invisible Presence is with me. Come as you are to Him as He loves us all unconditionally and accepts us exactly where we are. He just helps us get better when we give Him time and space in our lives. Don’t miss out on His love and direction! He always knows best!