“NEEKS, YOU ARE ALWAYS STRONG BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS HAVE GOD.”
That was the message from my guru/brother, Kevin, one day during one of my difficult moments. Today, I want to share that same message with you: YOU ARE ALWAYS STRONG BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS HAVE GOD. I encourage us to look to God in the midst of every moment, knowing that His presence is always with us. GOD STRONG, BABY!!!
I honestly don’t know where I would be without this brother who holds my hand through my rough patches. He once told me, “Neeks, call me 100 times a day if you need me!” I promised him again yesterday that our relationship would contribute to making the world a more loving place. He feels it’s his divine assignment to make me happy, and I tell him that my assignment is to share all his wisdom with the world.
Yesterday, during another one of our sacred conversations, I asked him to thank his wife, Verona, for me. I am currently with my husband in Nigeria, and there have been many times when I’ve thought, “I’m done; I’m going back to the US.” But thank God that, with just one glance at Him, I know exactly what He would have me do: “Suck it up, buttercup. You are not going anywhere!”
I often think of the time Kevin considered leaving Verona, and she told him, “You are not leaving me to raise these children by myself! Go to the bedroom. Get some sleep.” That’s exactly what I do too; I go to our bedroom, take a nap, and wake up with a fresh perspective: “God, whatever pleases You, that’s what I’ll do.” Kevin’s marriage and life have inspired me so that I can, in turn, inspire you. THE WORLD WILL BE MORE LOVING BECAUSE OF MY RELATIONSHIP WITH KEVIN!!! Thanks, dude! Love you forever!
Honestly, being in Nigeria with my husband (who is still a bit jealous of my relationship with Kevin!) means I don’t get to talk to Kevin as much as we used to, and I really miss that. I can be in the worst situation, but with just one phone call to Kevin, we’re laughing and making fun of whatever we’re facing. God sent me to him to tap into his joy, personality, and charm so I can teach that joy to you, too. Not only can we be strong in every moment because we have God, but we can also find joy through faith, knowing that the joy of the Lord is our strength when we trust that God is with us, for us, and by our side. Sadness is for those who do not trust God!
One of my favorite moments with Kevin was when I spent an entire day feeling agitated, unable to calm down (LIFE GETS HARD AND OVERWHELMING!). I had promised him I wouldn’t bother him anymore, but I still ended up calling. He said, “NEEKS, YOUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORDDDDDDDD!” Instantly, all my anxieties vanished, and the God maniac here laughed at herself for not trusting God. Hey, I’m only human! Since then, whenever my stress levels rise, I remind myself, “NEEKS, YOUR HELP COMES FROM THE LORDDDDDDDD! THE MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH!”
We need each other, guys! As Ceri taught me, our relationship with God is the foundation, and our relationships with others should reflect His love. Kevin’s support shows how we should be there for one another—life is a two-way street. Today, I may lean on Kevin; tomorrow, he may lean on me. When we trust God’s principles, we can lift each other up through life’s ups and downs.
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” – Colossians 3:12-14
BE GREAT EVERY DAY… WE ROLL WITH GOD!