That’s my testimony, baby!

So, even when disappointments, hurts, frustrations, show up, I can politely SHAKE THEM OFF and keep my eyes fixed on God. After asking Him yesterday why someone did something hurtful to me, He responded through my meditation book:

“We expect nothing special from this world. We accept the conditions in which God has placed us. “I know how to be brought low (exactly what this person did), and I know how to abound (God is excellent at that!). The interior man accommodates himself to ALL situations, accepting in them the will of God. He experiences in his heart the kingdom of God, which consists of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” – Yes, Father by Richard Graef

Got that? Expect nothing special from other people; they will disappoint us sometimes. But as I said, God gives us MORE than we can expect from Him. Whatever situation we find ourselves, I want us with our eyes FIXED on God, filling ourselves up to the brim with HIS JOY, LOVE, AND PEACE. There is no sadness in God – we can always be happy with Him as the FOCUS and love of our lives. Great is thy faithfulness, God, onto me!

And because God gives us so much MORE than we expect from Him, let’s be about giving God MORE than what He expects from us! I’m such a halfhearted creature that this morning, I thanked my husband AGAIN for putting up with me. Today, I’m raising the bar, though, seeking to do so much more for God. I want to be the wife, mother, and person He is calling me to be in every moment. Are you with me?

God has turned all my worries into thinking instead of His glory! He blows me away with His intimate involvement into my little life’s activities and challenges that show up that I want to make Him happy and proud of me. A life obedient to God is the best life because this is how He leads and guides us on the path to the best experiences with Him.

“But there is only one narrow road which one may cross the swamp. By ourselves, we cannot find it. Only those guided by God shall reach the city; the others will sink in the muddy waters and drown. Let us accept God’s guidance.” – Yes, Father

Don’t miss the road; start taking God seriously!

#GODisreallyREAL

That was me to myself when I had like an hour and a half to spear between some appointments yesterday. The nerdy, God maniac here, decided to go and hang out in a bookstore chapel where I strongly feel God’s Presence, saying to me through these words arranged on the wall: “Fear not. I am with you.”

I read my meditation book, He and I, that I’m enjoying so much. My high five from God was when He asked me through these words:

“Don’t you know that I give you far more than you expect?”

YES! YES! YES!!! God, you have gone BEYOND MY IMAGINATION in what you’ve done for me. I thought about something recent tat we have been blown away in just thinking about it. Like, God, YOU DID ALL THIS FOR US? We do not doubt that it is Him working behind the scenes on plans that seem too good to be true.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is he who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8

What I explained to my kids yesterday is that every little thing you do counts towards God fulfilling the BIG things and the excellent plans He has for us long before we’re even born. They add up! So, I want us going even BEYOND what God expects of us, being the EXCELLENT people He is calling us to be in every moment because this is how He leads us on the path to the BESTEST LIFE. Forget what anyone else is doing! That’s between them and God. Whatever we do is between Him and us!

That means loving others extravagantly, being excellent in our THOUGHTS, WORDS, AND DEEDS, forgiving endlessly remembering that Heaven and God is our AUDIENCE and they’re always with us and watching. Let’s make God super proud of us!

Let’s make RESTING in God our permanent home where we’re going to Him asking always, ‘God, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE ME TOD DO HERE?’ Then listen to His voice directing you one step at a time on what decision to make. His wisdom is not common wisdom. You see, GOD IS AN EXPERT IN EVERYTHING. There is no situation, big or small He can’t assist you with. God, I’m depending on YOU!!!

Start knowing the God thoughts from your regular ideas. The thoughts that said ‘MARRY HIM’ eighteen years ago after only knowing my husband for only a week, has given me the best spouse in the world. GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING! Have your alone times with Him so that you can more clearly discern and understand HIS will for your life.

GODisreallyREAL

I AM! I AM! I AM! And I sincerely want you here with me!

Like I can’t get over how God came to be with me that first week of fasting with the Muslims for Ramadan. This life is full of ups and downs, and let me tell ya, two days before this was a low one where my poor little heart dropped to the floor. That fasting was at the perfect time because it slowed my roll from too much activity, and as I took some alone time to JUST BE with God, He showed up. It felt like He was wrapping His arms around me and comforting me through the words of Pope Francis, who pinpointed EXACTLY what was going on in my life as if he was an audience to what had happened. It was pretty freaky! I knew that this was God letting me know HIS SWEET PRESENCE was with me during that difficult time.

But three weeks later, I’m happy to report that God has replaced that old heart with a NEW, BETTER, STRONGER and HAPPIER one. So much so, I went out of my way to shop for some special ingredients for my husband. Our cook and I watched a video to teach us some different recipes to step up our game. In fact, I want to be a better wife in every area!

How the hecta did that happen? From me going from a place of my heart going from the floor to me now wanting to be the BEST WIFE EVER? God. He incredibly knows the experiences we need to help us mature so that we do not lack in any area.

God used that situation to teach me how to LOVE others His way! Like no matter how many times I mess up, God’s love is constant and faithful, and He is calling me to be the same with others. He taught me that REAL and TRUE love still exists even amidst imperfections. This morning He said to me through my meditation books:

“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.” – He and I

And that’s where He is calling us to be with others. That no matter what they do wrong, we can overlook and instead show them mercy, going the extra mile in love.

“When you learn how to sit at the table with your Judas (betrayer), you’ll understand the love of Jesus Christ (God).” – Unknown

#GODisreallyREAL

That’s the message I hope you’re getting from all my “crazy” God stories! And that He is intimately involved in every moment of our lives.

Like yesterday, He revealed His Presence with us on the way back home from seeing the movie Aladdin, which is about a MAGIC LAMP. We usually love playing music, but I asked my kids to put the music on hold so that we could have an appointment with God. Incredibly Julie picked post number 5 from our Purpose Driven Life daily devotional for kids and out of 365 of them, this miraculously showed up in the very one she selected:

“Sometimes we read about magic, like in a story where someone finds a magic shoe or LAMP (Wink! Wink!?”

And there you have it folks, another God wink when everything lines up a little bit too perfect to be coincident. Like what are the chances of us going to watch a movie about a MAGIC LAMP and on the way home a MAGIC LAMP shows up in an appointment with God. This was God’s sweet way of revealing His invisible Presence with us.

What kind of a love is this? Why would He go through the trouble to orchestrate that God wink? He is TOO MUCH!!! And if you’re not experiencing His special winks, start paying attention to those so-called coincidences.

I’ve gone from the point of believing as if God is real to GOD IS REALLY REAL, and I want the world knowing Him personally. The most important relationship we can have is with Him. I was so happy when someone said that they could be more disciplined in spending time alone with God. I seconded that! The more we come to know Him and His ways, the BETTER our lives.

Today is hang out day with my beautiful family from God. I insisted on cooking for hubby so that he could rest, but he instead went out to buy fresh fish that he wants to grill with a special pepper sauce and French fries. To say God has guided my life on a beautiful path is truly an understatement and why I’m upping my game in telling you about the LOVE I’m finding from Him. GOD IS LOVE. That even when others disappoint us, we can quickly forgive. Love is about accepting the imperfections of others. Ain’t nothing perfect, BUT GOD!!! Everything is between God and us, not between us and anyone else!

GODisreallyREAL

That was Him to me in OUR appointment early this morning. GOD, NEVER! I TRUST YOU COMPLETELY! Through the good, bad and ugly, I see the hands of a LOVING Father. We may not always understand His ways when we’re going through life storms, but I always come through them STRONGER, WISER AND WITH LOTS MORE CONFIDENCE IN GOD. He always shows up to help me with the right people appearing up as if perfectly timed, the solutions that magically pop in my mind, and the wisdom as to what to do one step at a time that I feel through my spirit (His voice within me). Not by my might or power, I’m counting on God’s Spirit to work in the supernatural realm on my behalf. I can RELAX and TRUST Him. Are you having appointments with Him? I can’t stress the importance of making time with God a priority in this crazy life where we don’t know what will come up from one moment to the next. God, I need your help!!! This morning was a bit chilly in Florida, but I stuck with my run with Him because they help me face my day with more confidence, reminded that God is with me. The jam of the day was Skin Tight as I imagined God saying this to me (and now to you!): “If you give your heart to Me I no go let you go… Baby trust in Me When you give your heart to Me I no go let you go Wey I no go do you wrong no Baby trust in Me I go dey your body like skin tight Wey I go dey by your side” Will you give your heart to Him? He’s skin tight with us wherever we go, and He will always be by our side. He’s just waiting for us to acknowledge His Presence. We can talk to Him like we talk to a best friend. He’s always listening. Don’t worry about the right words; He hears our hearts. The wiser Nik is learning to look to Him in all my actions asking what He would have me to do. Another reminder this morning was not to overcome evil with evil, but look for every opportunity to repay evil with good. Everything is between God and us my peeps. When you seek to please and serve Him, it’s like He responds, “It is my pleasure to serve you, too.” Wink! Wink! Give your heart to Him! He won’t let you go! KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD

That was my daughters and me CONFRONTING my hubby yesterday! He’s EXCELLENT at giving us criticisms, but when it comes to telling us what he approves of, he’s pretty quiet.

That conversation began that morning when I had an appointment with God and the words starving for love appeared, and I confessed that this use to be me. That I was unsure if he loved me, but I’ve gotten over that insanity now, but our daughters need to know that their dad loves and approves of them.

Surprisingly, he listened. I know this was difficult for him to be so open about his feelings (a real tough African man he is!) but he did, and I was super proud. I told him, though, for me, he shows his love every day: HE COMES HOME TO HAVE DINNER WITH ME AND OUR SONS. This one gesture shows me his deep, deep love and respect. I’m the one telling him to go and hang out sometimes. Even more reason why I want him to have his BBQ with his friends without my Presence around. As Pope Francis taught me, “LOVE TRUSTS, IT SETS FREE.”

Can we all be more open and communicating to our loved ones how much they mean to us? Not just through words, but also our actions. Hubby demonstrates his love for us by coming home and just choosing to be with us. Even if I’m not hungry, I say to myself, ‘Nik, eat! To have a husband who wants to have dinner with you is a HUGE BLESSING that should not be taken for granted.

Also, I’ve decided that even if I’m upset with him about something, it ends there at that dinner. No more going to bed angry. This is where I want us with everyone! Always taking the high road with God – loving extravagantly, forgiving endlessly and determined to be HAPPY, LIGHT, with a FUN sense of humor every day. The God who loves and support us is counting on us to share His love with the world. Wink! Wink!

But speaking of those criticisms from hubby, can you believe me and my daughter, Julie, are THANKING HIM FOR BEING TOUGH ON US. He used to make us both so upset with his comments about our weight. But, instead of getting bitter, we got better. I now eat much healthier, and my exercise is on every day, whether I feel like it or not! Keep the criticisms coming, my boo, YOU MAKE US BETTER!!!

God, thank You for Your love and support always. May we never take any of your blessings for granted, especially our loved ones. Amen.

KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD

I’m feeling like His highest paid employee right about now! The way He shows me such love and attention is incredible. I see that these verses are spot on:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

GOD HAS SOME ASTONISHING PLANS FOR ALL OF US!!! And they’re plans to PROSPER and not harm us. My family has NEW RESPECT for Him in looking at something He made happen recently. There is NO DOUBT whatsoever in our minds that God has been working behind the scenes on some pretty TREMENDOUS plans. They’re HUGE.

And that’s why I want you on His payroll, too. The LOVE, SECURITY, WISDOM, PEACE, HAPPINESS and ABUNDANCE we’re feeling from God is AMAZING. Not that everything is always smooth, but even the challenges and frustrations that come our way, He shows up as if saying, “Who’s messing with my people?!?” He ALWAYS sends the perfect assistants, solutions, and moment by moment guidance to help us get through ANYTHING.

Let’s ALL aim to be God’s number one employees by giving HIM our BEST. I’m back to my fasting for Ramadan because I want to be aware of God’s invisible Presence at every moment. The fasting is training me to RELY on His strength and guidance, not my own, and that’s where I always want to be, completely resting under His wings for His LOVE and PROTECTION and being obedient to His instructions.

My new screensaver says this: “We’re together. We’re together. Say it over and over…” It’s my constant reminder that in every moment, God’s INVISIBLE Presence is with me.

“I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world. “ – John 16:33

Even the suffering is beautiful when you know you’re doing it for Him. I look at myself as God’s little superhero when rough times come up. Whatever the challenge, I bravely and manly handle them keeping my eyes FIXED on Him. One day through my meditation book, He asked me to also thank Him for the difficulties and trials because those were also well arranged by Him to teach me crucial lessons like patience and discipline, help me to improve as a person, and most importantly to strengthen my faith in Him.

Starting right this moment, tell Him you want to be on His payroll, too. And then go out looking for ways to be His representative in the world being your BEST and most shiniest self ALL FOR HIS GLORY. Everything is between Him and us, not between us and anyone else! Make people wonder why you’re so nice to them knowing your reward is with God! Wink! Wink! Tap into the great plans He has for you!!!

KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD

I said this to someone over the phone on Saturday. After that conversation, in thinking about it, I said to my friend who I was with, “I’m going to make that the message of my next post.” I figured that if I’m going to do the best I can with my work for God, I have to keep it as real as possible: YOU WILL HAVE SOME MESSY STUFF TO DEAL WITH; NOT EVERY DAY IS LIKE THE HONEYMOON.

I also mentioned to my friend about deciding to NOT attend any more of our BBQ’s at the office after my last SURPRISE that ended with me leaving early. This decision was from a place of freeing my husband to live his life. I can’t be with him 24 hours a day, and I need to trust that he will make good decisions whether I’m around or not. Not that anyone ever gets it entirely right, but my hope is that every day we learn crucial lessons and become BETTER. My prayer for us all!!!

Can you believe God used these two situations to reveal His invisible Presence with me there at my friend’s house? I’m such a nerd because I took four meditation books with me. And shortly after our conversations, I had an appointment with God reading one of them, and looked what incredibly showed up:

“… but more in the sense of what we mean by “trust.” This goes beyond simply presuming that the other is not lying or cheating. Such basic trust recognizes GOD’S LIGHT SHINING BEYOND THE DARKNESS… This trust enables a relationship to be free. It means we do not have to control the other person, to follow their every step lest they escape our grip. Love trusts, it sets free, it does not try to control…

…This means that love bears every trial with a positive attitude. It stands firm in hostile surroundings. This “endurance” involves not only the ability to tolerate certain aggravations (or like I put it, putting up with some things we may not like), but something greater: A CONSTANT READINESS TO CONFRONT ANY CHALLENGE. IT’S A LOVE THAT NEVER GIVES UP, EVEN IN THE DARKEST HOUR. It shows a certain dogged heroism, a power to resist every negative current, AN IRREPRESSIBLE COMMITMENT TO GOODNESS.” – The Joy of Love by Pope Francis

Wow! This just lined up strangely TOO PERFECTLY to be coincident. Of all the books and pages for me to read! It was like God was RIGHT THERE in our conversations! This confirmed where God Himself would have me to be in my marriage: Nik, leave your hubby to have his BBQ to hang out with his friends without you present. Love trusts. And not only am I asking you to put up with some things, I’m challenging you to resist ALL evil with an even STRONGER commitment to love, goodness, and faithfulness.”

Roger that, God! I will be the SUPER GLUE that keeps my family together no matter the challenges that come our way. In fact, yesterday, I got on my knees in front of my kids and hubby and prayed, “God, let me have this same husband AGAIN in my next life! Amen!” Between God, hubby, and this friend I was hanging out with, they’ve bettered my STANDARDS as a wife, mother, and person. I’m God’s little superhero! Wink! Wink! His intimate Presence and LOVE keeps my FAITH STRONG, baby!

KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD