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

These words this morning from my daughter, Ember, made me seriously happy. I can easily write a book about our relationship: ‘Teenage Daughters Are From Another Planet.’ But God has been my Parental Counselor, and right now we’re surprisingly in a really good place. I’m a super proud mom, and AGAIN I’m giving all the glory to God. He taught me how to calm down and focus on Ember’s positives. And with all that constant praise, she has beautifully blossomed into a fine young lady. My appointments with God are what did the trick. I was this crazy tiger mom until God lovingly corrected me to focus MORE on Ember’s strengths and not her weaknesses. It worked!

And speaking of relationships, I have a new love and respect for my hubby today. I last wrote how I was attacked in a meeting and hubby called his own meeting to say that anyone who has anything to say about his wife, should come and say it to her face. And let me tell ya, when they came for me, my husband ATTACKED back like, “DON’T MESS WITH MY WIFE!!!” The person conducting the meeting said, “Emmanuel, I have three wives, but you can only have one with the way you’re defending Nikki.” LOL!

This gentlemen with all the wives has earned new respect from me as well. He asked, “How did we get here? We’re family.” He knows my heart is always in a good place despite the fact I may get a little crazy sometimes wanting everything to go my way. I’m still a work in progress. We all are. Our challenge from God is to go the extra mile in love and forgiveness despite each other’s faults and failures. Not easy, but this is where God wants us.

My other daughter, Julie, proudly told me about her appointment with God. “Mommy, I learned that we should be kind to even those who are not kind to us. That each person has their own judgment to face with God.” I said to her, “That’s why I’ve always taught you guys that everything is between God and us, not between us and anyone else.” I say I do this work for God of telling you about Him, but He is incredibly working for me. The challenges, disappointments, hurts, problems, trials, and frustrations never go away, but God is always there to guide me through life’s storms with His wisdom and LOVE. I’m not worried about nothing because I know my God is in control and just how hubby jumped to defend me yesterday, God is the BIGGEST and MOST TRUSTWORTHY DEFENDER EVER. Wink! Wink! He hasn’t disappointed me yet!

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” – John 14:27

“Since that day, I’ve been learning to enjoy life more and to savor its many pleasures, big and small. I’m noticing God’s loving presence more, how He helps me, guides me, and sprinkles my life with His blessings, like little love notes to remind me how much He cares.” – Activated Magazine

My hope, unlimited hope, is forever in God. Are you with me?

KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD

I excitedly told a friend concerning fasting for Ramadan. That ONE decision has changed my life DRAMATICALLY, and I astonishingly see God’s hands ALL over it!
As I was running out to an event at my kids’ school, the zipper on my dress popped open. Aye Carumba! I had to rush and quickly put together a completely new outfit. Arriving late, I ended up sitting next to this friend who told me about the fasting. And I KNOW this was totally God’s planning for His baby girl over here to be HAPPIER. (SMILE)
Honestly, eating was a distraction to get me away from tackling the reasons why I was so unhappy. With the constant chewing chewing chewing out of the way, I ran to GOD and not FOOD. These moments with Him changed EVERYTHING. I realized I needed to stop all the depressing and crazy thoughts I had going on in my head all day.
The crazy lady who wanted to keep track of her husband 24 hours a day has been replaced by a wife who LOVES and ENJOYS her hubby. In fact, the enjoyment level is SUPER HIGH! It’s like I have a new man, baby! (Wink! Wink!) Even my kids are like the SUPER BEST KIDS in the world now. I suck every moment of enjoyment out of them. I’m enjoying so much that I ate two plates of dinner last night with hubby and my sons.
Right from work, hubs joined the new cook in making a vegetable stew we love. When I asked if there was fish for me, hubby quickly asked her to take some fish he had grilled on Sunday out of the freezer, and he promptly placed it in the pot to heat, even though I told him not to bother. He wants his wife happy, too!
My new attitude is when I’m with my husband, he’s my husband. And other than that, I free him to live HIS BEST LIFE WITH GOD. The constant tracking was TOO much!!!
My new FOCUS is on stepping up my game to be the wife, mother and person GOD HIMSELF would have me be in every moment. Anything I do, I do for His glory. Today, He told me not to worry so much about pleasing others; I’m to keep my focus on Him, following His will for my life, which not everyone will understand.
“Have faith. Everything becomes simple then. It will be simple to love Me (God), simple to serve Me, simple to be happy to suffer for Me. What progress, what riches to exploit, when you speak to Me, when you tell Me that you love Me.” – He and I
God, I LOVE YOU!!! Don’t miss out; Make God a PRIORITY in every single moment!
KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD