That was from my funny daughter, Julie, who has fun calling me “Nikki.” Guys, God has truly led my life on such a beautiful path, that it’s my pleasure to wake up and HAPPILY clean our bathrooms, all for His glory. He said that wherever I am, He is there; therefore everything should be clean and beautiful for Him.
I woke to an appointment with Him listening to Devon Franklin’s sermon on YouTube, ‘The Mamba Mentality,’ and as always, Devon inspired me when he talked about His purpose in life and how everything is tied to one thing. In my case, however, I couldn’t wrap myself around just one thing because I wear so many hats, and my focus has to be all over the place. But, God, again, knowing every thought I think, just had me to read this:
“’Question: What is the chief End of Man?
Answer: Man’s chief End is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.’” – Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer
Woohoo! That just simplified my life’s purpose: To glorify God in being the mother, wife and person He has called me to be, and enjoy Him. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Or like my mom taught me, “If you’re a street cleaner, be the best street cleaner there is!” God is our ULTIMATE BOSS, and I’ve found when I show up as my best self, He is the One to reward me. Not only does God reward me, I say, between Him and my hubby, they spoil me. This is definitely the sweet life with God, baby! Don’t miss out!
To the point, though, that I know I’ve become quite lazy, too comfortable and half-hearted. Devon asked something like is laziness stealing your destiny. I know it is for me. The green that we’re all wearing is to signify new growth and a new beginning. I’m challenging myself to leave the old Nik behind and step up to be all God has called me to be, and I’m challenging you to join me. What do you need to shake off to become your best and shiniest version of yourself, all for the glory of God? LAZINESS, NEGATIVE THINKING, AND PROCRASTINATION, FOR ME, MUST GO!!!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
“SOMETIMES, IT ALL GETS A LITTLE TOO MUCH”
That’s from the Shawn Mendes song I love, ‘A Little Too Much.’ I was introduced to it on one of the worst days of my life (and I ain’t exaggerating!), and I knew it was a direct message from God to me:
“So take My hand, it will be alright
And she knew that she would be okay”
And even as I play it now, five months later, I feel God’s Presence here with me in my little office, still saying, ‘So take My hand, Nik, it will be alright.’
I get it, guys, life can really be a little bit too much, but we have to hold on to God’s hands KNOWING that everything will be OK. The reason I know God’s invisible Presence is here with me is that I RAN TO HIM, ‘God, I need to hear from you?’ No shame in my game! I then grabbed my meditation book, ‘Yes Father,’ and He lovingly showed up. It was two conversations with two different people tonight that appeared on the same page, exactly where I had the book already opened.
The first person, I said to them, just two hours ago, ‘Pray without ceasing.” I got those words from a business card on a desk where I sat at work today, and incredibly the book said:
“When Moses lifted up his hands, Israel overcame. PRAY WITHOUT CEASING (Wink! Wink!). Pray “at all times in the spirit…” Our devoted Yes, Father is the form of consecration, our prayer.
Then, in another conversation, I quoted Devon Franklin who has taught me lately, “Prayer without work is dead. You can’t just stand still.” Again, on that very page, that was already opened to, it said:
“Work without prayer is without the blessing of God, it remains dead. Prayer without action (work!) has no ground whereon to stand. Action and prayer: bread and the word of consecration belong together.”
That’s what I call a double God wink with Him saying, ‘Nik, I’m right here with you.’ This lined up all too perfect to be regular coincidences. And this gives me the peace that surpasses all understanding and all the strength and confidence to tackle my life, even when it’s all a little too much, KNOWING I am never alone. God dey! And He wants me to tell you, He’s with you, too. Hold onto His hands super tight as we all go through this very turbulent time together, taking life one moment at a time. We can confidently say, “God, I trust You.” Even if that means repeating that 1,000 a day! God, I trust You…God, I trust You…God, I trust You.
I called my husband the other day amid a troublesome situation to ask his advice on what I should do, but he didn’t answer. It turned out to be such a good thing because it forced me to RUN TO GOD and seek His input. And step by step, I felt His guidance in my spirit as to what He would have us to do, and astonishingly everything worked out so much BETTER than expected. It was another lesson in walking bravely and courageously with God, and I don’t want you guys missing out!
It takes a lot of calming down, SLOWING DOWN, and going to God and asking, “What should I do here?” Through practice, you will learn His voice. He has helped me through so many troublesome situations that I know His direction (His voice) quite well. When I feel peace, excitement, joy about moving on a particular path, I know it’s God saying. ‘Yes, that’s the way to go.’ However, when I feel stressed, doubtful, or anxious when I debate on a particular choice, I know it’s Him saying, ‘Nik, don’t do that!’ So, all day long, I try to seek His input in every decision I make. When I get it wrong, let me tell ya, are when I don’t go to Him!
The best part about walking with God, though, is HIS DIVINE ASSISTANCE and MIRACLES that I experience all day long. Like the situation I called hubby about, I ended up getting some help from some people who God just put in my spirit that very week that I should forgive and leave the past in the past. Through my appointments with Him, He teaches me His ways and how He would have me to conduct myself in the world. For example, these verses showed up when I went to Him for help that day:
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured. It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]. Love never fails [it never fades nor ends].” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Make God a priority and experience this blessed life where He guides you on the path to the best life with Him! Say this prayer with me: “God, I want to walk hand in hand with You as my life Partner. Amen.”
“I’M CALLING TO TELL YOU WHAT A BEAUTIFUL LIFE I HAVE”
That was me to my brother, Kevin, the other day. After sending him a bunch of pictures with my daughters and me, he had sent me back a voice note pretty much telling me off and that I shouldn’t call him anymore about the bad in my life when I have so much good. It was a correction well deserved and appreciated. Thanks, my vro (valued treasure!). I even ask myself sometimes, ‘Nik, what the heck do you have to complain about? Be happy.’
So, today, I just want to brag about God’s goodness. His guidance has truly led my life on a beautiful path. Not one moment seeking Him has been wasted; they’ve paid off BIG TIME!!! Like I look at these gorgeous daughters in awe. I confessed to Julie yesterday that I stopped driving my Mercedes truck to drive around in their Honda with them because I cherish every moment when we’re together. They’ve moved their place of exercise to my bedroom, and I’m so thrilled seeing them workout. Super fierce young ladies! Even their bathroom that was not working has been such a blessing because it forced us to share my own, and it has brought us even more together. It was like God planned it all to bring us closer.
My sons in Nigeria are also making me so happy. Yesterday they spent the day at work with their dad, and at one point, they said they were organizing car parts. Leaving them in Nigeria was not an easy decision, but I looked at it as them learning how to be men, and I see no one better for them to learn that from other than my husband. In fact, I say they are learning to be future KINGS, just like their father.
And speaking of my king, my husband, God (The KING of KINGS!) has opened my eyes to what a great guy he is. I’m sticking with what I wrote in my book’s dedication:
“My Hon, when I met you, I loved you because you were perfect. Fifteen years later (now almost nineteen years later), I know you’re not perfect, but I love you even more. Thank you for putting up with me, your also imperfect, God maniac wife! I want to show you every day that God loved you so much that He gave me to you as your wife. I’m honored to spend my life with you and to be the mother of our four beautiful children: Ember (First Place Daughter), Julie (Super Daughter), Emmanuel A. (Emmie), and Emmanuel J. (Joshie). May God continue to guide and direct us all. Amen.”
And I must mention my nephew, Duro. He is also coming up like a future KING in the making! Whoop Whoop! I’m super proud of you, Duro!!! Great things are headed our way, keep the positivity going!
