“THAT WAS AN AWFUL YEAR FOR US”

Was me to someone the other night who doesn’t understand why so many things seem to be going wrong with them. I told them about a terrible year we had some time ago and in looking back on it, it was great for us. We came through it with EXTREME FAITH in God because He showed up, and He showed off, like, “Who’s messing with my people?!?’ Let me tell ya, it was beautiful watching God in action. From the people showing up to help us, His wisdom, solutions, and guidance were all totally on point. My attitude now is, “If my God is with me, whom then shall I fear.” All the forces of evil in the world can’t touch me UNLESS God gave them the power to do so KNOWING that at the end, like this terrible year, it would be good for me.

So, all the trouble you may be going through right now, KNOW its from the hands of a loving Father who is concerned about your personal happiness. He corrects us. Ask Him to reveal the lessons He would have you to learn. That awful year led us to make lots of changes, and those adjustments have been excellent for us. God is always taking us to new, higher levels of living with Him – our own personal Promised Lands.

I loved what He said to me this morning in my appointment with Him:

“When you try to speak to Me of the past, I’ll place My hand over your mouth and you will hear words of tenderness and mercy that will melt your heart. You will thirst for a new life and be ready to run in search of it.”

And that’s where I felt He is calling us to be with others as well. To overlook 10,000 of their faults because He overlooks 20,000 of ours. Nobody’s perfect. I want us just showing up every day being the loving, genuine, kind, forgiving, and excellent people God Himself will have us to be, giving everyone mercy and grace the way God does for us.

The girls and I are off to church! They are starting a youth ministry to stream live the service on Facebook. Go, super daughters!!! I tell them how God has been so good to them that I want them asking God, “What can I render to you for your kindness to me?” Let’s all be God’s superheroes.

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CAN I JUST BRAG ABOUT GOD TODAY?

About eleven years ago, I said a prayer, ‘God, I want a closer walk with You.’ He answered. I feel His intimate closeness in every aspect of my life. And it is so beautiful.

Like yesterday, I was feeling down for no real concrete reason. A little anxiety about the future, mixed with feeling overwhelmed by the present. I finally decided to sit down and have some quiet time with God. Just the day before, I had captioned my blog’s pic with these words, “Repeat after me: God got me.” I got a feeling from Him to read my own book for this quiet time with Him. And in this book that was published two years ago, look what astonishingly showed up:

“God seems always to be saying to me, Nik, don’t worry, I got you! Wink! Wink!

I had a nice laugh with Him. Wow! God is pretty funny! This life is like a rollercoaster, some days we’re up, and the other days life can get the best of us. No joke! But that’s where God comes sweetly in, as He says this to all of us: Don’t worry, I got you! I’m just the God geek over here who pays attention!

And if that wasn’t enough, as I headed to work, a van cuts in front of me with a plate number beginning HUG. I knew right away it was God orchestrating this, giving me one of His hugs. Once you know God’s personality, you’ll begin to pick up on glimpses of His Presence. And I was right. Some minutes later, at work and needing to hear from Him AGAIN (No shame in my game) the very next post in my book said this:

“When I feel weak, tired or out of sorts, You’re right THERE TO PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME (HUG!), to comfort me and tell me that everything is going to be okay. You reach out and soothe my ruffled nerves, melt away my worries and fears and blow away the confusion that seeks to surround me.”

Not only did it describe exactly how I was feeling, it was God confirming that was a HUG from Him when I saw that van. Then coming home very late and tired, my daughter had left a bag on the kitchen counter, which I had never seen before, saying, “FREE HUGS.” Another wink from Him!

To be honest, sometimes I wonder if I’m crazy in thinking that these are really glimpses of God. Like, why would the Creator of the entire universe care so much about me. But at around 3 am this morning, unable to sleep due to a bad stomach ache, I decided to hang out with God, and this message from Him showed up in one of my meditation books:

“I’ll be there, though unseen, and you will feel the sweetness of my Presence.” – He and I

God, I feel it!!! And my prayer is that you too begin to notice Him in your life. That’s my assignment from Him, to tell you about His great love for you (yes, you!). No matter where you are right now, even if at nothing, say this prayer with me: God, I rededicate my life and my family to You. Amen. Trust me, He doesn’t disappoint! Wink! Wink!

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“ARISE, MY DARLING, MY BEAUTIFUL ONE, COME WITH ME” (Song of Songs 2:10, NIV)

That’s our great invitation from God, to live these extraordinary lives with Him as our Guide, Partner, Helper, Counselor, Friend, Teacher, Provider, and Father. And absolutely everyone is invited to the party! No matter how badly you think you’ve made a mess of things, God wants you close to Him. In fact, He has used all my weaknesses and wounds to show all of us a better way of living and thinking.

I love how He doesn’t force us to come; it’s like He patiently waits in the background for us to remember Him. And unfortunately, that seems to be mostly when we get ourselves in trouble and ask Him to help us get out. Then once we’re out, we place Him in the background again until the next big problem comes up.

This year, I want you to accept His invitation to follow Him in every aspect of your life with Him taking the lead and not the background role. Like a great friend said to me, “I want to remember God every moment.” This is where I want us, remembering God every second and collaborating with Him as to what He would have us to do, where He would have us to go, and even what to say.

We’re not going by the ordinary rules of man, and some things He ask will take supernatural strength—like being mentally tough (fearless, focused, determined and refusing to worry), while also being loving and forgiving towards someone you want to choke.

But trust me, when you’re able to let go and surrender everything to God, handing over all disappointments and outcomes to Him, you begin to experience this miraculous life where He not only repays you for any wrongs, He helps you with any problem or challenge you may have and even comforts you when you’re hurt.

Quiet confidence will be your strength when you leave situations and circumstances in His hands. I’m talking unthinkable lives already planned for us, which include fabulous adventures, the best people, and off-the-chart levels of wisdom, peace, happiness, and joy.

Start asking, God, what would You have me do here? This takes calming down, slowing down, and listening to His quiet whispers in your spirit. When you do, a whole new world awaits you.

Dear God, thank You for Your love and constant guidance. Pardon our sins and give us the courage to live the lives You have planned for us. Amen.

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“GOD, WHY ME?”

That was from someone who woke up to a troublesome situation today. I sent them a pic of what God had said to me in my early morning appointment with Him: “You can believe, can’t you, that your God used this trial as a new way of getting your attention so that you would take a firmer grip on Him?” – He and I

This was my high five from Him after I went through my own little something something last week. God, You definitely got my attention!!! LOL! I can laugh at it now, but when I was going through it, it was not funny. And that’s how I can look back at all the so-called “bad” stuff that has happened. I see they were from the hands of a loving God who knows what is best for me (and you!). They’ve all taught me some crucial lessons that God Himself would have me to learn, especially as opportunities to learn to trust Him more.

Another one recently was dealing with my mind going into this repetitive negative thinking mode all the time. Like running around the same track 1,000 times and going nowhere. Stuck mode. But when this thing happened last week, it was like a huge wake-up call – Nik, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR LIFE? Stop running around this same darn track over and over again, going nowhere with the same nonsense thinking.

This week, I’m out of the nonending loop in my head, and I’m focused on important dreams and goals. I said to God today, “Send me!!! Let me be your voice in the world to encourage and bring people closer to You.” A total 360 from negative to positive. God, thank You!

“I am with you always,” are the words printed on a bracelet I purchased on a sad afternoon last week. I can’t express to you guys how this little piece of jewelry around my wrist has brought me such joy. No matter what I’m going through, it’s a reminder of my power (God’s omnipotence within me.) He is my strength, joy, wisdom, calmness, and peace in every moment. I’m strong with Him as my Protector and Guide. And most importantly, He is all the love I need — no more starving for a little bit of love from others. Your girl is good! I’m now about sharing God’s overflowing love with everyone around me.

Repeat after me: God got me. And let’s use every trial as opportunities to trust Him more. Amen.

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“HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU?”

That was me to my hubby today. He said it’s because I’m living good. I replied, ‘Yes!! I’m enjoying driving my new Mercedes truck.’ Wink! Wink! And we had the biggest laugh about it. Then I said, “You know my love for you is not about any money. I love our life together and our family. Our family is our greatest blessing from God. I want us to be a testimony to the world of a family rolling with Him”

We may go through our stuff, but at the end of the day, we come back stronger than ever, all for God’s glory. Like He sweetly taught me through Pitbull’s song, ‘Ain’t nothing perfect, girl!’ What God has ordained, ALL THE FORCES OF EVIL cannot destroy!!!

This little conversation with my husband shows where God’s guidance and wisdom has brought me – to a very beautiful life! I can go through my lil hurts and disappointments but still come through them an even better and more committed, respectful, faithful, loyal and loving wife, mother and person. Don’t ask me how, but God has this way of changing my perspective on everything. EVERYTHING!!! And that’s why I want you getting to know and learn from Him for yourself. He and the Holy Spirit (His voice within us!) are the best teachers, let me tell ya, for this crazy world we live in. We need them!

And speaking of crazy, either I’m getting SO close to God, or I’m surely losing my mind. LOL! He’s just finding the sweetest ways to let me know He’s with me. Like yesterday, I heard a song playing on the radio. I go to Google the lyrics so I could download it, and as I’m jamming to it on the way home from work, there’s a sample of another song in the background. This is very bad (don’t do this!), but I started searching for that sampled song while still driving. I couldn’t find it, but this incredibly came up, and I knew without any doubt, it was God singing to me (and to you, too!!!) through this opera song (and you know your girl doesn’t listen to any opera!):

“No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I’m here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you

Let Me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I’m here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you

Say you need Me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let Me go too
…that’s all I ask of you” – Andrew Lloyd Webber

This is the God I’ve come to know and love: HE SINGS TO ME!!! He’s pretty talkative once you get to know Him. Will you invite His Presence into your life?

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“NIKKI, GO AND HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOD!!!”__

That was advice the other day from my friend, Danny, when I called her extremely angry. We’re each others’ sounding boards when it comes to this marriage thing – it aint easy! She suggested I go and randomly pick a number from my book and see what God had to say to me about the situation. But at the time, I was so upset, I didn’t want to hear any of God’s positive advice!

Fast forward to that night, right before sleeping, I said, ‘OK, God, what do You have to say to me?’ I used the scroll button at the bottom of my phone to randomly select where to read from an electronic version. I couldn’t believe it when this incredibly showed up:

“THE BEST MARRIAGE ADVICE EVER…

… Focus on God! Respond to difficulties from a calmer, kinder, respectful, patient and more loving space, allowing God to direct you with His wisdom. Rest with God while He fights on your behalf!”

I’m talking DIRECTLY to that very page and title!!! No coincident! I felt like God Himself showed up to be with me and comfort me. Out of a book of 366 blog posts, I knew this was Him, again showing me His intimate involvement in every aspect of my life. You can’t beat God’s love!!!

So, what I’ve learned is that God has to be our first love. And all of our actions should be from a place of ‘God, what would YOU have me to do here?’ Not what crazy, angry lady wants to do. What would You have me to do?

Others will continually disappoint us. That’s life! But going to God and asking for His guidance and direction has really led my life on an amazing path. Not always easy, but when I look at the BIG picture, THIS IS THE GOOD LIFE WITH GOD. Don’t miss out! Start involving Him in EVERY decision you make always seeking to do the right, excellent and most loving thing. This is how He guides us on the best paths. Wink! Wink!

Dear Lord, grant us grace to stay faithful, loyal and committed to our families no matter the challenges we face. You wipe our slates clean every day. May we do the same for our loved ones. Amen.

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‘I GOTTA FEELING THAT TONIGHT’S GONNA BE A GOOD NIGHT’

That was my daughter, Julie, waking up yesterday morning singing this Black Eyed Peas song. We were to leave out early for church, but I felt God saying to complete my work for Him first (Yes, Boss!) and then go. After sending out my post, though, I felt I needed a little time alone with God out on a run around our neighborhood. I went to my music library to search for a song We (God and me) sing to each other, ‘I Gotta Be,’ but on top of the search was ‘I Gotta Feeling.’ I thought to myself, ‘Wasn’t that the song Julie woke up singing?’ So, I decided to play it instead, and oh my gosh, I had the best time running/dancing/singing like a crazy lady:

‘Look at her dancing… Party every day, p-p-p-party every day
And I’m feeling, woohoo
That tonight’s gonna be a good, good night’

Like this EXTREME HAPPINESS just came over me. I was jumping, dancing, and having myself THE BEST TIME. I know people must have thought, ‘This lady has lost her mind!’ But to see God take me from feeling so sad the other day to be out on that run so filled with love, excitement, joy and enthusiasm was nothing short of a complete miracle.

I’m so on to God! He uses disappointments, hurts, and wounds to open our eyes and see our lives from totally different perspectives. Looking at the BIG picture, I HAVE NOTHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. NOTHING TO BE SAD ABOUT. God has guided my life on a wonderful path and I will praise and thank Him all day long.

Yes, we all have our crosses to carry. I happily accept mines, knowing I don’t carry them alone. I give the heavy parts to God saying, ‘You carry this please!’ And I joyfully go on enjoying my life, looking to Him in every moment, continually asking, ‘God, what should I do here?’

Like my sister in law taught me, “You have to be deaf, dumb, and blind.” Otherwise, this life will drag us down and get us focused on the wrong things! We have to stay focused on God and what HE would have us to do. The world may be falling apart around us, but with our eyes on God, He can guide us through ANYTHING!!! LET’S JUST KEEP BEING OUR BEST EVERYDAY, ALL FOR HIS GLORY.

And that song was so on point – that night was a good, good night. My brother, Jason, came from the Bahamas and treated us to the best cooking we’ve had in a long time. I was so happy to see my daughters spending time laughing and learning how to cook from their uncle. God, thank You for my beautiful life.

THIS IS MY CONFIDENCE: GOD HASN’T FAILED ME YET

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‘GOD, WHY DO YOU CARE IF I AM SAD?’

I asked Him after He showed up for me at 1 am the other morning to comfort me. ‘Weren’t you concerned about your daughter the other day when she seemed a little upset about something?’ I felt Him reply through my spirit. God, I was.

And that’s the God I’ve come to know and love. He finds me in my weakest moments and picks me back up and says, ‘Come on, Nik, let’s keep going. I’m right here with you’ And knowing He is with me makes me invincible – too powerful to be defeated, baby. When I’m weak, God is my strength. I can, therefore, boast of my weaknesses because those are the times God’s power comes shining through and takes over. I can do all things with Him by my side! He makes me sincerely happy. No matter what the world thinks of us, our God loves, cares, and approves of us. We can hold our heads high, no matter the challenges coming our way!

He takes me through these sad times, though, to grow me up, mature, and teach me (and hopefully you) some crucial lessons. This time I felt He was teaching more about love – His kind of love. Love is not a feeling, it’s an ABILITY to go through difficult times and yet stay committed, going the extra mile in love and forgiveness, wiping he slates completely clean, and no looking back on the past. Got that?

I so loved an appointment with God where I was feeling so down on myself and God showed up saying:

“Even when you feel good for nothing, give Me this nothing. Didn’t I create with nothing.” – He and I

And when we turn to God in all our relationships for His guidance, He can turn any and every situation around for the better. There is nothing too difficult for Him!

I’m finding love to be like bread, you eat it up, and you have to keep remaking new loaves. When I first met my husband, he came to visit me in the Bahamas, and there was a song I played for him on the drive from the airport. That was 18 years ago this month, and I still believe every word:

“One… you’re like a dream come true…
_ Two… just wanna be with you…
_ Three… it’s plain to see that you’re the only one for me…
_ And four… repeat steps one through three…
_ Five… make you fall in love with me…
_ If ever I believe my work is done
_ Then I’ll start back at one” – Back at One, Brian McKnight

This goes for all our significant relationships!

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“AM I CRAZY?”

I asked my daughters last night on the way back home from seeing the movie Joker. I told them how I felt God’s Presence with me at 1 am when I was up feeling all sad and depressed the night before. I was listening to Rich Roll’s podcast, and he said, “No one gets out alive.” I remembered how my nephew Justin always used to say the same thing. Some minutes later, still unable to sleep, I said let me stop the podcast and see what God had to say to me in my own book that I published a couple of years ago. Unbelievably, this showed up:

“…since her son, Justin, always reminds us, “No one gets out alive!”

Believe it or not, this was God’s way of letting me know that His invisible Presence was there with me. He knows every thought we think! This is a book of 366 blog posts, so for me to simply continue reading from where I had last left off, to read that one, after listening to Rich Roll, was all lined up too perfectly to be some ordinary coincident. It was God wrapping His arms around me to comfort me and remind me that whatever I’m going through, He will always be with me.

What kind of a love is this? Too good to be true right? Before the movie, the girls and I got some beautiful inspirational bracelets, and the one got says, “I (God) am with you always.” Him showing up at 1 am to be with me was nothing new. In fact, I’m beginning to love hurts and disappointments because God always figures out some way to let me know He is with me.

The movie turned out to be the perfect selection. A song played, ‘That’s Life,’ by Frank Sinatra that said,

“Each time I find myself flat on my face (me yesterday)
I pick myself up and get back in the race”
And I thought, I must download it on my phone.
As soon as we got in the car, my daughter, Julie asked for my phone and next thing I knew, she was playing this very song loud in our car:

“That’s life (that’s life), that’s what all the people say
_ You’re ridin’ high in April, shot down in May
_ But I know I’m gonna change that tune
When I’m back on top, back on top in June”

I took it as another message from God for me. For my daughter to download and play this song from 1966, was His way of saying, ‘Nik, disappointments will come. That’s life. Now pick yourself back up and get back in the race. KNOWING I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS.’

Yes, Boss! Let the world around us just fall apart, my eyes are fixed on You!!! Heart to heart. Amen.

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“I NEED YOUR ADVICE ON SOMETHING PLEASE”

That was me calling for a friend for help deciding whether or not to cancel Netflix for my daughters. I couldn’t make up my mind because they’re such great girls, but at the same time, I’ve noticed how it’s becoming such a distraction. She gave me the perfect advice, “Allow them to watch during holiday times only.” Thanks, my girl!

Fast forward to that evening, God had something to say about it through our Office Manager, Martha. We were driving together, and I don’t even remember why, but out of the blue she remarkably said, “I’ve canceled my Netflix.” Wink! Wink! I couldn’t believe it. I told her how I called my friend all the way in Nigeria because this Netflix subscription was really bothering me. I took that as God Himself confirming, ‘Nik, Cancel Netflix.’ Mr. Netflix, we love you, but we’ll see you again soon, during the holidays!

That was another one of my God winks where everything lines up strangely too perfectly to be an ordinary coincident. God is pretty talkative once you get to know Him – START PAYING ATTENTION!!! That was no coincident! It was His loving way of helping me make a significant decision as well as remind me that He is always with me. How great is that? God’s Presence never leaves us. The school has moved the girls up to Honour level classes (proud momma here!), and I don’t want the TV to get them off track. Tough love! God is intimately involved in every aspect of our lives, just waiting for us to include Him. My phone screensaver still has this crucial message from Him:

“May your life be Mine-uninterruptedly Mine.”

God, a big YES! Will you also accept that invitation from Him? To invite Him to be with us through the good, bad and ugly as we hold His hand tightly, and resting on His heart?

“Have you discovered what hinders you from coming? Discover and destroy.” – He and I

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