GOD SHOWS UP TO COMFORT ME ON A ROUGH DAY
The tender love I receive from God blows me away! I do not doubt that His invisible Presence is with me at every moment of my life. He knows every thought we think, every conversation He is there, and every possible move we make; He knows all about it. I’m with David, who wrote this some three thousand years ago:
“Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-12
But back to how He showed up today! I had just read this in an appointment with God, written as if He was speaking directly to me:
“As you go through this day, look for tiny treasures strategically placed along the way. I LOVINGLY GO BEFORE YOU and plant little pleasures to brighten your day. Look carefully for them, and pluck them one by one.” – Jesus Calling
So, this morning my daughters were talking about getting an apartment in New York, precisely one in “SOHO.” I brushed them off, saying that was too far ahead into the future for me to think about! Can you believe that, minutes after reading about God planting little pleasures to brighten my day, I debated what to wear out running around with my sons, and a thought came to mind, “Wear that black romper!” Honestly, I haven’t worn it in close to two years. I pulled it out of my closet, only to find the tag inside unbelievably saying it was designed by “SOHO NEW YORK (Wink! Wink!).”
See the tender love I’m talking about, God planted that label with those words from my conversation with my daughters a few hours before to reveal another glimmer of His Presence with me and comfort my frazzled nerves on a difficult day. This lined up extremely too perfectly to be some ordinary coincidence! It was God Himself who had that thought to mind for me to wear that specific outfit to say, “Nik, I’m with you, I’m with you, I’m with you! My Presence is always with you! Whether you are in Nigeria or the US or wherever you go, you can count on me to be with you!!!!’
That’s the love I want us all to know and love! That we can have the peace that passes understanding, knowing that God Himself is the One standing with us no matter what comes our way!!! Make sure you have many appointments with Him so you learn His voice and what He would have you do moment by moment. His sheep know His voice, and they follow Him!
About all those future plans, my daughters, keep all plans tentative, knowing that God’s plans are always way better! I came to Nigeria with one set of ideas, and God completely changed the script for me! To see how deeply God is involved in our lives is truly mindblowing! All I can say is don’t play around with your relationship with God! PRAYERS DO CHANGE THINGS!!! Let’s keep giving God the space to direct us one step at a time while we give our best and do everything for His glory! So help us, God!
“I need not, I must not trouble myself about anything except the task of this moment.” “I still live, says the Lord; ready to help you and console you more than before, if you put your trust in me and devoutly call upon me.”
THE JOY OF THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH. THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY THEIR FAITH. STAY WITH GOD EVERY MOMENT, MAKING HIM the center of your life – every relationship, every decision, every circumstance. OUR GOD IS WITH US!!! Amen!!!