There is a song that’s always playing on the radio, ‘Easy On Me,’ by Adele. And I always tell God I don’t want Him to go easy on me because I want to be His top soldier, learning all the difficult lessons He would have me to know so that I can come here as His Rockstar to pass these valuable lessons on to you guys. No problem, God, I got You! Wink! Wink!

This is a tough assignment at times, though. And yesterday was a terrible day where I let the sad and depressing thoughts get the best of me AGAIN. Hey, I’m still human! But like I told a neighbor today, these humiliating knockdowns are from me thinking about the wrong things, but knowing is half the battle. That’s why it’s called the battlefield of the mind. I’m literally my own worst enemy when I allow my mind to dwell on the unpleasant things of life and have a negative focus. And the most challenging part is God telling me I must be silent about everything and control my emotions. GOD, THIS IS HARD!!!

But let me tell you the sweetness of God. It was my Joshie’s birthday yesterday, and he insisted that we go to Dave and Buster’s. So, I had to take him and some friends in all my sadness. My daughter Julie came with me, and in wanted to show her something, I went and open my meditation book, He and I, written as if God was speaking to me and He had this to say:

“Aim to the best of your ability. Isn’t it for God? Why should you give up? My very little girl, YOU MUST BEGIN TO BE HAPPY TO SUFFER FOR ME.”

I knew right away that this was a direct message from God to me on this miserable day I was having. God, I’m happy to suffer for You! Don’t go easy on me!!!

And that’s my message for you guys today, God does ask us to suffer sometimes for Him. Life isn’t always easy, and God does ask us to do some hard things at times. Still, when I look around at all He is doing for me, I must put on God’s whole armor and do everything for His glory. No matter what anyone else is doing, I want to aim to be obedient to Him, even if it means taking the insults and keeping silent.

This is my prayer for us all stolen from Joel Osteen:

‘God, Help us to ignore insignificant distractions that try to keep us from Your best.’ Amen

Today, I’m enjoying working with my daughter, Julie. I’m sucking up every moment with her before she leaves for university in New York shortly, by the grace of God. She’s a huge example of why I say everything is between God and me, not between me and anyone else. I told her that I promised my daughter, Ember, no more crazy momma. These fierce daughters deserve the best mom to show up for them.

Ember stayed late with me the other night at work to help me, and I was so impressed at how she handled the assignment. Hubby called and said I should teach them everything I know. That day’s lesson was that sometimes you have to suffer and endure complex stuff. I made her go hard and long because I’m preparing her for life, and sometimes you must ENDURE without giving up. Today, it’s Julie’s turn to learn this vital lesson.

The struggles are real, but God is there to help us through anything!!! Even the sufferings!!! That’s why He invites us to come with all our burdens to Him, and He will give us rest. Look how He found a way to cheer me up yesterday, asking me to be happy to suffer for Him. God, for all that You are doing for my family and me, anything to please You, let me learn.

“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone.” – Galatians 6:9-10 NLT

That’s God’s promise to me in this verse that has carried me through so many challenges:

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, BE ASSURED I WILL HELP YOU; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’” – Isaiah 41:10 AMP

And help me is what God is doing ALL DAY, EVERY DAY! Like yesterday, I discussed with someone in Nigeria how we would find suitable candidates to fill some crucial positions to assist my faithful husband who goes overboard in his love and support of us (thanks, my boo!). We posted a listing with a popular site, but were disappointed by the low number of responses.

A few hours later, I got a message from someone who doesn’t even work with us anymore saying, “I thought to place advert on another site, and they’ve been responding. I will send resumes in batches as they come.” And today we’ve talked to so many of those candidates. Let me tell ya, anything I’m concerned about, it’s a concern for God. When I saw that text from her, I was amazed at how intimately God is involved in our lives because it was as if she was in that earlier conversation. I took it as God saying, ‘Don’t worry, My Nik, you need candidates; here you go.’ This person was overwhelmed by the responses within minutes of placing the ad. God is truly at work in the spiritual realm on our behalf!

God even got involved with an argument that I’m having with my daughter, Ember. She was thinking of transferring to another university, and I point blank told her, “No way! That’s the university God Himself picked for you! You see those two huge 117 signs at your gate? That’s His way of letting us know that this is where He wants you.” 11 and 7 together has been the way God communicates with Ember and me that His invisible Presence is with us.

So, you know teenage daughters. She wasn’t accepting that! So, in trying to hustle and sell a car, I had her drive like 40 minutes to pick up a part. She gets there, and unbelievably the sales tax for the part came to exactly $7.11. The next day, I was out with my brother Jason and remembered that I needed a charger. Of all the options, I picked one and go to the cashier to pay. The total with taxes came to $17.11. I sent her the pic asking. Does this prove that God Himself wants you at that university, not your mom trying to control you? That now changed the conversation to her excitedly telling me about an interview she has tomorrow for an internship for when she returns. That’s what I’m talking about! My help comes from the Lord, baby!

“Someone wants to have a date with you?” she told me late one night. I asked who wants to go out with me? It was her friend who has been like an angel to my daughter guys. I honestly started crying talking to her on the phone. She is such a positive friend who studies with Ember in the library and they both are positive influences on each other. She provides my daughter with such support, love, and friendship.

In Florida, the girls pay a lot of money to have their hair braided, Samira braids Ember’s hair for free, keeping her looking so pretty for us. Ember finished her first semester with a 3.87 GPA out of 4. I kept staring at her grades of all A’s and one B+ just thanking God for everything is doing for us. It was Him who wanted her there and made it happen after my husband insisted that Ember could not go to New York. God had the final say, and Ember didn’t disappoint us. Proud of you boo! God knew why I needed you first to set such a fine example for your siblings.

Make sure you are seeking God in every decision. Every circumstance. Every relationship. Obey Him and leave the consequences to Him.

“Move on your dreams without the fear of failure, without the fear of disappointment, without the fear of lack of support, but instead with a new attitude of courage.” – Unknown

That was me to my daughter, Julie, this morning, as we started working on a project together. I’m embarrassed that my daughters are seeing a not too pretty side of their mom, but I explained to Julie that despite all my weaknesses, failures, and mistakes, God continually tells me that He is pleased with me despite how I may perform.

Fast forward about an hour later, I said to Julie that we should go up the street and get some coffee. We take a quick walk over, and we got our pick-up order as number 52. While waiting, I suggested to Julie that we read page 52 of our family’s website. Look what incredibly showed up in this old post from over a year and a half ago:

“YOU DIDN’T HAVE ANYTHING NICE TO SAY TO ME ALL DAY!!!”

I lost it with hubby yesterday! Of all days, the anniversary of our first meeting, nineteen years ago, he harshly criticized me, saying what a problematic CROSS I’ve been to him. I was furious! I came home and immediately went to my daughter’s room to continue my work for God, and right away, God had me to read the caption from a recent post: “GOD IS PLEASED WITH YOU.”

It went on to quote from my Jesus Calling, my appointment with Him: “I AM PLEASED WITH YOU, MY CHILD…You don’t have to perform well in order to receive My love.””

Wow! For me to have that conversation with my daughter telling her that God tells me that He is pleased with me despite my screw-ups, and for us to sit down there to have an appointment with Him on page 52, the same 52 as our order number, and for Him to confirm what I had just told Julie an hour before, shows how intimately God is involved in every moment of our lives. He is with us always!!

But God really blew me away this morning when I was out on my run with Him and decided to stop the Nike Running Club app prematurely. I looked at my phone, and it had tracked my cadence at 117. I then go to page 117 of our family’s website. As I’m reading page 117, I got a WhatsApp message on my phone from a friend that incredibly said:

“117 (Wink! Wink) !has been showing up extremely a lot for the last few days.”

It was as if that friend was there with me knowing I had stopped to read page 117! No coincidence, but God finding another way of letting me know that His Presence is with me wherever I go.

Are you feeling God’s sweet presence with you? I’m with David who wrote this:

“Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.” – Psalm 139:7-10

For me to have so much on my plate right now, and for God to find all these different and fun ways to let me know that I’m not handling life alone, gives me such peace, joy, and courage. Just tell Him that you want in, too, a closer walk with Him, and start making your relationship with Him a priority.

Like God wanted us to spend some time together and I thoroughly enjoyed it! So funny that Jason is trying to convince me to be more like him (business-minded) and I’m trying to convince him to be more like me (God and family-focused). But in trying to explain my values to him, I realize how much I love being a wife, mom and Rockstar for God in the world. I wouldn’t change anything! I LOVE MY LIFE!!! Even the bad and difficult parts I accept as part of God’s plan to help me be the mature, loving and confident in Him woman He would have me to be.

Jason is my brother who introduced me to my husband over 20 years ago. I kept telling him at first that I wasn’t interested, but Jason insisted that we meet. The very next day after he came to the Bahamas to go to a concert with me, he got down on his knees and prayed, “God, thank you for helping me find my wife.” Five months later we were married. I have no doubt that God Himself was behind Jason’s insisting that he should introduce us.

Today as I sat having lunch with Jason and our four kids I said, “See what you did?” God has truly blessed us beyond our expectations. Thank You, God and Jason for the hook up. (HUGE SMILE)

Jason doesn’t agree with all my decisions, though. He would like me to be more independent in making decisions, but I explained that’s my role to play from God, to be the supportive wife/Vice President at the service of President hubby, following his lead. That decision has worked out well for us. Hubs has led us to a great place. Here and there I choose my battles based on conversations with God, but I thank God for His wisdom and guidance in helping me become the wife He would have me to be and not conforming with the world’s definition.

Like I heard a celebrity say she wasn’t interested in pain, but pain is a part of the deal when you make a vow for better or worse because nobody’s perfect and we all make mistakes. I write off hubs disappointments against all his good characteristics (there’s so much good) I love and adore and I keep going. I swallow some bitter pills when necessary and he does the same for me when I mess up.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8

And today, sitting with Jason and our four kids, I’m grateful to God for helping us to get here where we’re even looking forward to better days ahead of us, all by the grace of God. Amen!

That was me to my daughter, Julie, after she jumped to fight for her sister’s rights to transfer from the university she is currently attending. I explained to her it was the same situation when everyone in the family turned against me when I wanted her to leave high school early and begin college. I’m so happy a customer, Richard, explained to both what’s going on with me:

“You guys may not understand your mom’s decisions now, but stick with her. Support her. Love her. Your mom is in a heavenly realm where she makes decisions with God. Just trust her and listen to her.”

And this is where I want us all, making decisions with God! Not always easy, like when Julie started the college-level classes, I went to her bedroom, and my baby was crying in front of her computer, having a meltdown because she didn’t fully understand what was required of her. She didn’t submit an assignment on time. I freaked out, thinking I had made a mistake by prematurely forcing her out of high school. Still, my baby girl needed that college experience to get her out of her comfort zone and step up to be the mature lady ready to tackle university far away from her parents in New York City, baby! Between college and coming to work at our family business a few times a week, our daughter is ready, by the grace of God. Amen!

I say that to you guys to explain that this is what God does to us. He knows the experiences we need to get us out of our comfort zones, tougher, stronger, braver, and more courageous. Still, at the same time, more loving, merciful, kinder, wiser, and most importantly, CLOSER TO HIM TO BE THE PEOPLE HE HAS DESIGNED US TO BE. God, I’m on to You! (HUGE SMILE)

Like your girl right now! I don’t like what God is always doing to me, but I can look back on some of the worst days and see God showing up for me and pulling me closer to His heart, where He wants all of us. I love my winks from Him yesterday when I looked to hear from Him in a difficult moment. I first randomly picked a post on Facebook to reread, and out of all of them, I ended up reading one entitled:

“MOMMY, YOU’RE THE ONE WHO PUTS THE RANGE IN THE ROVER!”

Still needing to hear more from God (No shame! Life gets rough!) I went to my old YouTube videos, and I literally closed my eyes, asking God to select the one He wanted me to watch. Incredibly it was me telling this same story of Joshie telling me that I was the one who put the Range in the Rover. Tell me, how could this line up so perfectly on its own. From the hundreds of videos on YouTube and the hundreds on Facebook, for me to read and watch myself tell the same story in both places within minutes of each other was all God reminding me that His Presence was there with me. No coincidence! The sweetness of God!

Then, I felt crazy telling you guys about Drake’s song Nonstop playing in the restaurant on Sunday and again the following day on a brief fifteen-minute run with God, out of my entire music library of over 800 songs. Can you believe that today on my run, the same thing happened where God had the song to play with these lyrics being rapped by Lil Kim:

“I’M THE ONE WHO PUTS THE RANGE IN THE ROVER!” – The Jump Off

See God’s fun personality? When I heard that song play, I just smiled, reminded that no matter what comes my way, God Himself stands with me. With you, too!! It’s just for us to learn His voice and what he is saying directly to us at every moment of the day. See how I took that time to seek God in that alone time with Him? That’s how you learn His voice, through spending alone times with Him. Let me tell ya, not one moment seeking Him is wasted. I want us to pray all day, every day and include God in all our decisions. Amen. This verse has been showing up a lot with Him reminding me that He was my peace no matter the troublesome situations:

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]” – John 16:33

(HUGE SMILE)

He has been showing up, showing up and showing up for me! Like today, I woke up late after having to go and pick up my son, Emmie, at 4 am from school. Still needing to go to work, I asked my daughter, Ember, to ask Siri on her Apple phone whether or not I should go for a run or if I could skip and rush out to the office. Siri picked choice number of two which meant that I should run.

I get under my God tree and a customer ends up calling and saying this specifically:

“Vengeance is mines says the Lord.”

Minutes after speaking to Him, it was 59 minutes past the hour and I go to page 59 of our family’s website and look what incredibly showed up there:

“Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.” – Romans 12:19-20

Is that incredible or what? For all the verses in the entire Bible, for this very one that this customer to repeat to me this morning in that call to show up at precisely 59 minutes on page 59 of our website was again everything lining up too perfect to be some ordinary coincidence. It was all God orchestrated with Him sweetly revealing His invisible Presence with me, as if saying, ‘Nik, I’m with you in every moment of your life and I know everything about you. We’re together!!!’

That customer and I had such a great conversation with him saying, “You’re a warrior! You’re a strong woman.” I explained to him how in looking back over the past few years, God has certainly been my strength to get where I am (I give Him all the glory and praise!) This message also showed up on page 59, written as if God was speaking to us:

“Never alone; you know that. Then let it be a source of strength to you. Strength to speak to Me, since I am there. Strength to act, since I can help you, particularly when you speak to others. Ask Me to speak through you. Never alone! What a joy for you! Could you ever thank Me enough?” – He and I

God, I can never thank You enough! And knowing God is close to me is what gives me the peace to joyfully live my life with Him no matter the challenges!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

Make sure you are praying for a closer walk with Him! I promise you, the best life is lived close to God where you have access to His love, help, support, wisdom, and favor on a moment by moment basis! He wants to reveal His Presence with you too, but He is like a shy person waiting in the background of your life waiting for you to invite Him in. May 2022 bring us all closer to Him. Amen!

This statement from Dr. Charles Stanley yesterday blew me away when I was very low on courage. As usual, God has been sweetly revealing His invisible Presence so strongly with me. What you may call a coincidence, I call a God wink with Him saying, ‘Nik, have no fear, I am here!’ (HUGE SMILE)

Like yesterday driving home with my daughter, Ember, we spoke about her fav car that we sold to a lovely family wanting a car for their daughter over a year ago. That very customer ended up calling me today needing some information for the bank that financed him. I needed to text him, and his telephone number ended in 311. Later on, telling Ember about it, I reminded her of the importance of this 311 that God used to remind me to stay on the high road with him when her dad was not agreeing for her to go to New York to university. God even went as far as having a massive billboard with this 311 printed on it as a reminder on my way home one evening. Ember forgot all about it, and as I looked at the time, it was precisely 3:11 as we were having that conversation (Wink! Wink!). That 311 and staying on the high road with God is working! He exceeds my expectations! Ember came home a new person. The university is doing an excellent job. I told Ember to not even think about leaving there because God Himself picked it for her.

An hour later, or so, a customer came in, and I needed her work telephone number. It included the number 311, and I told her that it was special to me and that God was here with us. The payment I ended up getting for her turned out to be too high, so I called the lady at the bank to see if we could get it any lower. Unbelievably the bank rep says, “I can give her a $311 (Wink! Wink!) payment; my boss just has to approve it.”

Then, I went back to purchasing inventory today (the family hustle continues, baby, with the help of God), and I showed my daughter, Julie, what I had purchased from Champion Auto, saying, “That’s your momma, I’m a champion!” And let me tell ya how funny God is, at that precise moment, He drew my attention to Julie’s sock with the Champion brand logo on it! Like God Himself was saying, ‘Wink! Wink! My Nik, you are My Champion!’

Honestly, the burdens get so overwhelming, but that’s where a relationship with God comes in, as He continuously has this verse to come up:

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” – Isaiah 41:10

And helping me He is! Today, on the ride to work, Julie says, “Forget summer break! I will do my best to help you as much as I can.” This was after the customer from yesterday told her and her sister Ember that I needed more of their support. I was so happy passing on my values to her today about giving our best in every task and then leaving the rest for God, who can tweak situations on our behalf in the spiritual realm with His favor (He is excellent at that!). Wink! Wink! Have no fear; God is here! Amen!