I COULD WRITE AN ENTIRE BOOK JUST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY WITH GOD

The way He shows up for me is incredible! I had asked my hubby if my daughter could go somewhere with him in place of me, but he insisted that I go. With everything I had on my plate for the day, I put everything on hold to go with him. Of the entire parking lot, there was one space next to an Infiniti QX60. I told hubby why this car is so special to me after connecting with someone in the Bahamas who wanted to buy one from us. She shared with me that she and her husband went through the same situation hubby and I are currently going through of living separately for three years. She told me how it was difficult for them, but now they were back together. So, whenever I see that specific vehicle, I take it as a message from God that we, too, will survive this difficult period.

Fast forward to hubs and I getting back home, my husband walks in on the last three seconds of a voice note from my brother, Kevin, and he freaks out on me. I told you guys that he was jealous of my relationship with my brother, but I didn’t know it was to that extent. I was forced to open up about some stuff that I was hearing about what was going on in Nigeria without wifey around and how my brother Kevin has been giving me the strength and wisdom to keep going with still being the best wife, mother, and person possible. I even went on my knees, all emotional telling hubby that what he has done for our kids has been such a huge sacrifice, and I’ll be thanking him forever because it hasn’t been easy on either of us. Hubby ended up on his knees, thanking me for being the wife and mother I’ve been. I explained that seeing that QX60 that morning was God saying that just like that couple, we too will get through this. I hugged him and told him that his wife is with him with her entire heart and soul, and no matter what we have to go through, we will go through it together. We ended up going on a date night at our fav Asian buffet restaurant. (HUGE SMILE)

But the reason why Kevin left me that voice note was because my angel/brother had arranged for me to spend some time by the pool of the Hard Rock Hotel with some out-of-town clients. So, I head over there and at the traffic light to turn onto GRIFFIN Road, a customer with the last name “GRIFFIN” flashes me, and her name appears on my phone. I looked at the vehicle directly in front of me, and it had a frame that it was purchased at I-75 at “GRIFFIN.” So, that’s three “GRIFFINS” all lined up perfectly together. I look next to me, and there is a truck with the number “21113” printed on it. “211” has been special to me and my daughter, Julie, because we take it as God leading her to attend a specific university in New York, after we visited back in January, and the number “2011” is engraved on one of the building’s stone. That evening, we got an email from this university offering Julie a scholarship of $29,000 per year for four years. To God be the glory!

When I spoke to the customer with the last name Griffin, can you believe she didn’t even know that she had called me? It was all God getting my attention with those three “GRIFFINS” lining up with the “211” on that truck to say that His Presence is strong with my family and me, and that was the university He wanted Julie to attend.

I know this all sounds crazy, but it’s God’s voice that I’ve come to know. He used that QX60 to message me and hubs that we will get to the other side of this separation thing we’ve been going through. He arranged those three “GRIFFINS” to line up so perfectly to remind me of His deep love for us. He had my husband walk in on the last three seconds of that voice note from Kevin so that we could have that cleansing conversation of everything I’ve been trying to process without losing my mind with the help of God and my brother, Kevin, keeping me strong.
I went out on my run today singing this song to God:

“My whole life has changed
Since you came in
I knew back then
You were that special one
I’m so in love
So deep in love
You make my life complete
You are so sweet
No one competes
Glad you came into my life” Differences by Ginuwine

Don’t miss out; tell God you want a closer walk with Him! He will help you through anything that comes your way! Amen!

TALK TO GOD ABOUT EVERYTHING!!!

That’s the best advice I can ever give you guys! He is quite talkative once you know His voice (HUGE SMILE). Like yesterday was an upsetting one for my daughter, Julie. God doesn’t promise us an easy, breezy life, but He promises to be there for the help and guidance to make it through the difficult days. So, Julie saw a video at one of her college classes that was very aggravating about someone who waited three years for a trial while being locked up in prison but was eventually found not guilty.

My little sweetie was super sad and gave her momma a call to talk about it. I said to her, “Not all superheroes wear capes, boo. You know you’re our future human rights lawyer. It’s what you discussed with the gentleman in your Columbia University interview, asking God where you can make the greatest impact while you are alive to help make the world a better place.”

This morning, I’m driving the boys to school, and look what astonishingly showed up in our Purpose Driven Life Devotional for Kids:

_“Change the World (Wink! Wink!) _

_Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 _

_Unselfishness plus godly wisdom world equals unstoppable world changer. Yep, you read that right. So just stop being selfish, get the mind of God, and you will change the world… Now, unto the godly wisdom part. God says he gives wisdom generously—lots and lots—to anyone who asks (James 1:5). So start asking… _

Prayer: Lord, am I really capable of being a world changer for you? It seems like such a big job. I am willing and ready.”

This was no ordinary coincidence, but God Himself got in on my conversation with Julie yesterday. Honestly, I was blown away by His PERSONAL attention to what goes on in my family. The fact that out of 365 posts in this book, for Joshie to go directly there this morning even blew the God maniac here away. God spoke directly to Julie: “You didn’t like that video of what that young man suffered, so speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Let’s change the world together. Wink! Wink!’

The love and attention God shows our family is too much! I tell Julie that we’re His fav, but He loves us all as if each of us is His favorite! Incredible! Start talking to Him about everything, and then listen for His answers that show up virtually everywhere! He is quite talkative!!!

The crazy part about this was that Julie called me at exactly 2:11. “Did you call to tell me it’s 2:11?” I asked her because of how the number 211 has been showing up for us since she saw it at her dream university in New York. I take a picture and send it to her whenever I see it. Even that morning, I stopped at a traffic light directly next to a school bus with this 211, and I sent it to Julie. She got accepted to this university, but we’re waiting for their scholarship offer. We’re thinking this 211 always showing up is a sign from God saying this is the university He wants Julie to attend! May God’s will be done! Amen!

But in that conversation with Julie at 2:11, she said something pretty deep. She was at her new, beautiful college campus, and she said, “I can’t get over how God did all this for me through you.” She referred to how God nudged me in my spirit in Nigeria to send an email to her high school in the US asking if she could spend her last year of high school as a college student. She and my entire family turned against me, saying I shouldn’t force her out of high school early, but now she sincerely thanks God and me for the experience. She felt so loved by God, sucking up this stunning campus.

And that’s the love He wants each of us to feel! Keep your focus on God! He has the best plans for our lives! Ask for His wisdom in every aspect of your life! See how He helps me be the best momma! Wink! Wink!

HUBBY IS JEALOUS OF MY RELATIONSHIP WITH KEVIN (HUGE SMILE)

And no matter how many times I tell him how this has been such a positive thing for me, he still feels awkward about it. So, I snuggled down next to him today and read him the post where I shared my top six pieces of advice from Kevin/messenger from God:

1.“NEEKS, ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS TO GET CLOSER TO GOD. MAKE HIM YOUR PRIORITY!”
2.“NEEKS, I WANT YOU TO WORK ON BEING A WISE WOMAN”
3.“NEEKS, ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS TO BE PATIENT RIGHT NOW.”
4.“MARRIAGE IS LIKE A TEAM. WHEN ONE PERSON IS WEAK, THE OTHER SHOULD BE THE STRONG ONE AND VICE VERSA.”
5.“IF JESUS CAN ASK GOD TO FORGIVE THE PEOPLE WHO NAILED HIM TO THE CROSS, WHO ARE WE TO WITHHOLD FORGIVENESS FROM ANYONE
6.“DON’T ASK GOD TO FOLLOW YOU; YOU FOLLOW GOD! BE GOD’S ANGEL!

After all that, he was still not convinced! I further explained that sometimes I question Kevin myself, “Like where do you get this stuff from?” And the only explanation we can come up with is that God speaks directly to me through Kevin. I have no other explanation! I’m supposed to be the God person, but Kevin is the one schooling me about God. It’s just a gift he has and his years of life experiences. My Stargirl on YouTube even said that he is an angel from God sent to help other people. When I look at the reactions to my posts, I’m blown away by the number of people thanking me because of Kevin’s influence: HE MAKES ME STRONG, SO I CAN HELP YOU GUYS TO STAY STRONG, TOO. To God be the glory!

Some more advice from Kevin:

1.DON’T STOP RUNNING. LIFE IS A WAR, AND YOU NEED THAT ALONE TIME WITH GOD TO STRATEGIZE AND PLAN. Honestly, I meet God under that tree every day, and He finds some way to reveal some glimmer of His Presence with me. That’s what gives me the confidence to take on my life!
2.“BE ON CHILL AND ENJOY YOUR GORGEOUS LIFE.” In other words, don’t take anything too seriously.
3.“GOD WILL LEVEL OUT THE MOUNTAINS. DON’T WORRY ABOUT HOW HE WILL, JUST LEAVE THEM WITH HIM.”
4.“YOU ARE NOT YOUR KIDS’ FRIEND RIGHT NOW. ONE DAY YOU WILL BE, BUT NOT RIGHT NOW.”

“HOW DO YOU STAY SO MOTIVATED?”

That was me to my husband yesterday! He goes Hard. Every. Single. Day. He responded, “I do it to protect my family.” See why I say this man is my gift from God? Honestly, anything negative that shows its face in regards to him, I just have to keep swallowing some bitter pills and keep asking God for the strength to be God’s gift back to him, loving him, supporting him, and being the wife, mom, and person God Himself would have me to be. The devil is busy guys; let’s stay focused with our eyes on the prize as I wrote in this old post:

THE PERFECT ADVICE FROM MY TEN-YEAR-OLD SON, JOSHIE

My spiritual guy blew me away when I asked him for some direction yesterday. I had told him about what President Trump’s doctor had responded when asked about the timeline of him testing positive for coronavirus. He said something like, he was not going back to discuss the past, but he was moving forward. Can you believe my little son remembered that when I asked him what he thought I should do about a situation, he said, “Mom, do what Trump (meaning his doctor) said, “Leave the past in the past and move forward!” Thanks, my sweetie! Your mom will definitely take your advice!

Especially after watching the Vice-Presidential debate from Nigeria at 2 am with my daughter, Julie, watching it in the US. My husband came down and joined us later in it. We ended up calling Julie together, and I was reminded that I’m to keep my eyes on the prize – God’s plan for my family. I MUST ignore the distractions that want to pop up and take me off my groove. Like someone correctly advised me, sometimes you must say, “Forget you and the horse you rode in on!!!” To get anywhere in this life we must become PROFESSIONAL IGNORERS (kindly and respectfully, of course), otherwise we waste time fighting useless and unnecessary battles. My eyes are on the prize, baby!

I’m leaving the past in the past, my Joshie, and I’m moving forward confidently with my hope in God, while learning some extremely important lessons for us all. These showed up last night in an appointment with Him:

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

“Do you love me enough that I may be weak with you? Everyone loves strength, but do you love me for my weakness? That is the real test.” – Alain de Botton

And when we love deeply, trust me, our reward is with God. I loved what God also had to say through my meditation book, He and I:

“Don’t you know that I give far more than you expect? Haven’t you noticed this spiritually, materially?”

Yes! God, Yes! And why I’m soooo sticking with You doing whatever is pleasing to You in every moment because you give me FAR more than I could even ask or think – protection, health, wisdom, guidance, and LOVE!!! God, I’m on your team for LIFE, LOVING DEEPLY, and covering LOTS of offenses, all for Your honor and glory! Amen!

NOBODY WILL LOVE YOU BETTER THAN GOD CAN!!!

That’s my message to the entire world today! We expect way too much from other humans, and then we’re hurt, sad, frustrated, and disappointed when they don’t perform up to our expectations. However, God is the complete opposite; He gives us more than we can ever ask or imagine when we stick with Him and make Him our first love, priority, and central focus!!! GOD WANTS A PERSONAL AND CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU!!! HE IS OUR GREATEST FRIEND EVER!!!

God blows me away with His love and intimate involvement in every aspect of my life. Like yesterday, a young lady sent me a message saying it was her birthday the next day. I told her that my prayer for her was a closer walk with God and that I wish someone had given me that advice when I was her age to develop a personal relationship with Him. She sent me back this message:

“Every day yearning for more of Him just like the deer pants for water.”

That’s what David wrote in Psalm 42:1: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” So, fast forward a few hours later, I go to bed, and I usually fall asleep listening to Dr. Charles Stanley (complete God nerd!). His first sermon to appear at the very top of my YouTube feed was incredibly entitled, ‘Hungering and Thirsting for God.’ Can you believe it was based on this same verse Psalm 42:1? No way this was a regular coincidence out of his massive content of sermons on YouTube for this very one to be at the top of my feed and be based on that very verse. It was God Himself letting both of us know that He sees us and knows our hearts.

But the God wink didn’t stop there! My husband woke me up this morning playing his audio Bible. Of all the verses in the Bible, the very one I woke up to was this one:

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” – Psalm 42:1

Is that crazy or what? I’m talking precisely there, I woke up! I followed my husband downstairs to get coffee asking him why he was listening to that specific Psalm, and he said it was the Psalm his mom read a lot. I was utterly blown away by God. I ended up leaving him because it was too early to be waking up on a Sunday morning (LOL!), and I went back to bed asking God what He was trying to say to me. I felt He answered me through that very sermon from Dr. Stanley.

I felt silly telling this young lady how God was singing to me yesterday, telling me He wants me for Himself, that He is selfish, like that’s how close I’m feeling with Him right now (HUGE SMILE). In that very sermon, Dr. Charles Stanley confirmed this message. Not only does He want me for Himself, but He also wants you too. Here is how Dr. Stanley put it:

“The people whom I formed will declare My praise. “THAT IS, GOD MADE YOU AND ME FOR HIMSELF (Wink! Wink!). EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US IS CREATED FOR GOD. And because we are created for Him, He wants us for Himself to love Him and to cherish Him and to honor Him and to obey Him and to serve Him. That’s what we’re here for. Why else did God create you? Just to have a good time in life? No, can you have a good time in life and be a Christian? Absolutely. Have the best time. He created us for Himself. And therefore, because He created us for Himself, what we have to ask is this:

Lord, what are you doing in my life? What part do you play in my life? In other words, is He really the central focus of your thinking? There’s somebody–If you’d ask the average parent, what’s the most important thing in your life? My children. I understand that. It’s just not the right answer. Or my husband. Or my wife. Not the right answer. The most important thing in every single one of our lives is a personal relationship to Jesus Christ. God Himself.

And what we have to ask is: Where does our interest lie? That is, what are our appetites for? What is it that you want in life above everything else? He says, “As the deer pants for the water brook, so pants my soul for you, dear Lord.” Now God’s given us many, many gifts in life and many things that you and I can enjoy. And there’s nothing wrong with those desires and drives that He’s given us in life as long as they are kept in their proper perspective (WHERE YOUR GIRL HERE GETS IS SERIOUSLY WRONG!!!). That the most important thing in your life and my life today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, the last day of our life, is our personal relationship to Him. He desires that you and I hunger and thirst for Him.”

I met my brother, Kevin, quickly yesterday, and I explained that we have to be the highest in the room. Meaning relating to everyone from God’s perspective and pleasing Him as our ultimate and central goal. I told Kevin that the way he has closely supported and stood with me for the past three years, I want to be that person for others, no matter what they’ve done to hurt me. Then, having to give a customer a ride, I passed a church that incredibly said:

“Mercy gave the prodigal son a second chance. Grace gave him a feast.”

Exactly summing up what I discussed with Kevin, I always want to be that merciful person for God in the world, accepting that we all constantly mess up and make mistakes, but God loves us unconditionally. Holding everyone in their proper perspective as fallible, weak humans fighting our own demons, but still loving them extravagantly and forgiving endlessly, ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. My new mantra is, “Obey God and leave the consequences with Him!!!’ This is how He guides us on the path to the best life with Him! Wink! Wink!

GOD, I’M STAYING ON THE HIGHEST ROAD WITH YOU!!!

That’s me to God yesterday after He found two unique ways for our number “311” to show up on a messy day. I’ve written so many times about this “311” as God communicating with me, saying that I should stay on the high road with Him. That I should BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD and that He is behind the scenes of my life fighting battles for me. So, when I want to stress, get frustrated, and anxious about anything, He sends this “311” to beautifully say, ‘Nik, I got you! Relax and enjoy your life!’

Yesterday turned about to be one of those frustrating days, but God was right there with me every step of the way. I told you how God picked a special white Audi Q5 for me that I love so much, but I had to sell it with the intention of getting it back by purchasing another vehicle for this customer. I did that, but the bank that approved him for the Audi didn’t like the new purchase. So, we forgot about it until he came by again and saw another vehicle that he liked, and I ended up getting my Q5 back. Yayy!!

But, here’s the part where God comes sweetly in. The customer had left the vehicle full of gas, and when I finally went to fill it up yesterday, the pump stopped all by itself to exactly 17.311 gallons, with God sweetly coming through to remind me that He was standing firm with me as I took on some difficulties for Him that day, asking me NOT to turn into the crazy lady, but stay on the high road with Him.

That was that morning, but by that afternoon, when the crazy lady wanted to return, God amazingly found another way for the “311” to incredibly show up. This one started with my son, Joshie, coming to work with my husband and insisting on posting ads on Offerup. I didn’t want to discourage him from getting involved in the family hustle, so I allowed him. The next thing I knew, in the middle of an appearance from the crazy lady within me telling me to spew out everything I was angry about, I got a call from Offerup saying Joshie asked them to call me. Honestly, guys, I was so blown away by God’s attention to my life because as I explained to the person calling me that we already had an account with them, I smiled with God as I remembered how much we pay them every month to post our vehicles there: $311!!! (Wink! Wink!) The crazy lady went away, and I stayed on the highest road with God, reminded that NOBODY WILL LOVE ME BETTER THAN HE CAN and that I shouldn’t expect too much from other humans but hold them in their proper perspective.

I’m sticking with God, and I want the entire world here! After making that decision, God even had a lady selling roses to give me some for free. I kept telling her that I didn’t have the cash to pay her, and she insisted that I should have them. The roses are God’s way of reminding me to enjoy the beautiful life I have, despite the thorns and weeds that show up regularly. Even as I type this, I have a shirt from my son, Emmie, filled with roses as my constant reminder to focus on the beauty in my life. AND THERE IS SO MUCH!!! I enjoy reading emails from Julie’s dream university in New York that accepted her and I’m reminded of how God exceeds my expectations when I stick with Him on the high road. WE NEVER LOSE WITH GOD!!! Everything is between God and us! Let’s make Papa God happy by seeking to be the loving, patient, calm, enduring (the glue holding our families together), faith-filled and faithful people He would have us to be. IGNORE the weeds and FOCUS on God!

WEROLLWITHGOD.COM

“IN GOD WE TRUST”

Those were my words to a friend a few minutes ago! This life gets crazy, but I want us all with our focus on God, knowing He is in control of everything and everyone. Wink! Wink! It’s just for us to stay calm, pause, pray, and ask God for His involvement in every move we make. Super tough, let me tell ya, but sticking with God is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS the best way to go, even when He asks us to do difficult things. I love this old post:

“Come to me all you who labor and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, here you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

She (a priest) called our attention to the image of the yoke, a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals such as oxen are joined at the heads or necks for working together. She said she could imagine Jesus (God) already wearing the yoke and inviting us to let Him be our Partner as we bear our burdens together with Him. She said when things get harder (and they will get harder) Jesus (God) would not let his side of the yoke go.

I loved this part so much that I listened to it repeatedly, imagining God and I clasped together with this piece of wood holding our heads together. I especially loved it because now I’m WISELY learning to let God lead the direction we go in, on a moment-by-moment basis. It’s not always easy, and at times it takes serious DISCIPLINE not to be the crazy, drama Nik who wants to make an appearance. But God’s ways always lead me to make the utmost best decisions no matter the tough situation. I never regret following His leading, even when He takes me out of my comfort zone on some treacherous paths.”

Are you going to God in your sad, frustrating, painful, anxious, and other awful moments? Let’s bear all our burdens with Him.”

Like today, in a conversation, I told a bank rep that I actually pray to God for the strength to be patient. It’s not something that comes easy for me, but I’m asking God to help me to be the patient person He would have me to be in dealing with some tough stuff He has put on my plate to handle. I knew it was God who had me at 1:10 in this bank reading page 110 of our family’s website to speak to me:

“I WAS HURT BADLY!!!

This life is FULL of disappointments, let me tell ya! But the way God shows up to comfort and guide me through them makes up for all the letdowns the world may throw my way. Like late last night, He had this to say to me through my meditation book, He and I (written as if He is speaking to me):

“If you only knew what compassion really is—the compassion you must strive to imitate! Overlooking everything to stoop to a heart’s needs, paying no attention to any disappointments or ingratitude, BEING EVEN KINDER TO THOSE WHO HAVE HURT YOU. Just be your Christ for them. If you make this your intention, I’ll be seen in you.”

God knows every thought I think, and He is the only one who knows how I’ve been feeling. So, for this to show up was Him giving me specific directions as to how He would have me moving forward. I simply smiled with Him as He took away all the hurt I’ve been feeling. ‘Yes, Boss. Anything for You. I will let everyone see You in me.’”

I wrote this almost exactly three years ago, and God figured out a way to say to me today, ‘Nik, I don’t only want you to be patient right now, but I want you to BE EVEN KINDER TO THOSE WHO HAVE HURT YOU. Let them see Me in you!’ God is a tough Boss! But again, HIS WAYS ARE ALWAYS BEST!!! Wink! Wink! Obey God and leave the consequences with Him, like Dr. Charles Stanley taught me!

IN GOD WE TRUST

“… AND ALL THAT SURROUNDS YOU ARE SECRETS AND LIES”

Those are the lyrics of a song I said describe exactly my life at the moment. It is what it is, folks! We have to take the joy with the pain, the sunshine with the rain (that’s life!), continually asking God for the grace and strength to deal with whatever comes. So, in asking God how to wrap my mind around the secrets and lies, I went for a talk with Him under my God tree. No shame in my game! I need God! Can you believe I saw the number 23, and I went to page 23 of our family’s website and this message from years ago showed up at the very top of that page:

“… but more in the sense of what we mean by “trust.” THIS GOES BEYOND SIMPLY PRESUMING THAT THE OTHER IS NOT LYING OR CHEATING (Wink! Wink!). 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

Is that amazing or what? I’m asking God how to deal with the secrets and lies, and He gave me specific instructions to see His light shining beyond the darkness and confront this challenge from a loving and positive space of never giving up and having an even stronger and passionate commitment to goodness. God is the best therapist! I stopped everything I was doing to go and have that run so I could have some alone time to chat, and He had the perfect post there waiting for me. We love because God first loved us. (HUGE SMILE)

That’s why I say, ‘Don’t mess around with your relationship with God!’ We need His help! See the loving way He showed up to help me with my struggles today. He is in the fires of life with us! I ran back from that tree super happy and ready to stand firm and confront any challenge that comes my way, knowing God is intimately involved in every moment. He is with you, too! Nothing we face is too complicated for Him. It’s just for us to seek Him and ask for His perspective on whatever challenge we’re facing. And then start paying attention to His answers. He is pretty talkative!

These posts I hope help us all to get stronger: tougher, more confident in God, brave and courageous, but I want us to also work on getting softer: more loving, gentler, patient, kinder, humble, compassionate, supportive, understanding, lighthearted, joyful, merciful, faithful, enduring and putting up with stuff we may not like, devoted, generous, and thinking less of ourselves and more of others. So help us, God! Amen!

“GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH MUSIC”

Those were some of the last words from my daughter, Ember, before she left back to university life in New York. Fast forward a couple of hours later, God sang to me! I was under my tree, holding on to it extra tight, begging God to give me the strength to do the difficult things He has asked of me (and, no, I don’t look at all crazy holding on to this tree!), and this song, out of hundreds of songs on my phone, incredibly played as I jogged away:

“When the visions around you
_ Bring tears to your eyes
_ And all that surrounds you
_ Are secrets and lies (Exactly my life at the moment!)
_ I’LL BE YOUR STRENGTH (Wink! Wink!)
_ I’ll give you hope
_ Keeping your faith when it’s gone
_ The one you should call
_ Was standing there all along” – This I Promise You by NSYNC

No coincidence that I prayed to God for extra strength, and this song plays with those lyrics less than a minute later, ‘I’ll be your strength, My Nik! Just stick with me! I got you!’ God sweetly is saying to me. And that’s the great news I have to share with you guys! We have God with us in every moment giving us His strength, help, support, joy, wisdom, strategies, guidance, influence, angels, and the entire resources of heaven working for us in the supernatural realm on our behalf. God asks some difficult things of us, though, but we can do all things with Him by our side.

I love this voice note from my brother, Kevin:

“Every day. Every day. Every day, my sister. Every day. Accumulate a little more strength, and you will see the most powerful woman you’ve ever seen in your life. Don’t mind all the noise around you. Work on that which you just sent me. You have to work on being a stronger person. And I don’t mean because you feel good today. The more strength you build up, the more muscle mass you build up, the stronger you are when you need that strength. I told you before you don’t pray for things not to happen; you pray for strength to deal with things when they happen. And things are happening. Every day. Every day. Every day. Every day. Take care of yourself.”

I told Kevin that I’m wearing this green bracelet from Joshie that I want to take on his character of joy, lightheartedness, goodness, strength, kindness, patience, gentleness, forgiveness, love, and support after he has been holding my hands for the last three years to help me through a rough time. I want to be that person you were for me,” I told him today. As I type this, God just gave me the nudge to read my meditation book, and look what just astonishingly showed up:

“With your good humor, your understanding, and friendliness, with the meekness of Christ as part and parcel of your life, not only should you be happy, but you should bring happiness to everyone around you. In the people you meet on the road of your life. As you go along you should leave behind that good aroma of Christ (2 Cor 2:15) – your constant smile, your serene calm, your good humor and joy, your charity, your understanding. You should become like Jesus, ‘who went about doing good’ (Acts 10:38).” – Jesus As Friend by Salvatore Canals

May we all be more like Jesus and Kevin! God is our strength! Amen!

CAN YOU STOP TALKING ABOUT YOUR BROTHER, KEVIN, SO MUCH?

This was a comment I got yesterday, and I did an entire video about it, but it had a technical glitch, and I had to throw it out. So, today, it’s all about my brother, Kevin, and all the remarkable advice he is giving me. It’s my privilege and honor to share with you guys my top six pieces of advice from him:

1.“NEEKS, ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS TO GET CLOSER TO GOD. MAKE HIM YOUR PRIORITY!” I ran with this by listening to Dr. Charles Stanley on YouTube, and he has taken my FAITH in God to an entirely new level. FAITH CHANGES EVERYTHING ABOUT YOUR LIFE!!! I had a terrible night sleeping, and I replayed his sermons repeatedly, reminded that I’m to follow God’s will. I’m with Jesus, asking God to give me the strength and the grace to do His will, not what the crazy lady inside of me wants to do:

“Jesus faced his trepidation over the upcoming suffering he would endure on the cross by praying for strength to do his Father’s will. Instead of letting fear overwhelm him or sink him into despair, Jesus dropped to his knees and prayed, “Father, not my will, but yours be done.”

I will joyfully and lovingly carry my crosses all for the glory of God! My reward is with Him, who exceeds my expectations! When I die, I want Him to say, “Well done my good and faithful servant! Amen!

1.“NEEKS, I WANT YOU TO WORK ON BEING A WISE WOMAN” For me, that means constant conversations with God about everything. To constantly look at my life from God’s perspective: What would He have me to say? Where would He have me to go? What would He have me to do?

“The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” – Psalm 32:8

1.“NEEKS, ALL I CAN TELL YOU IS TO BE PATIENT RIGHT NOW!” Those words continue to carry me through a rough life patch. I’m learning to be patient with everyone, including myself. Yesterday, I got goosebumps all over talking with our business manager about how we were so busy. So many times, I quoted to him, “It’s all about patience, bro!” The patience is working so much that you guys can call me, “Nikki So Patient! Kevin explained that he made many good decisions because he was patient. I’m in total agreement. I’m praying for God to continue to give me the strength to be patient. Amen.
2.“MARRIAGE IS LIKE A TEAM. WHEN ONE PERSON IS WEAK, THE OTHER SHOULD BE THE STRONG ONE AND VICE VERSA.” Hubby and I go through our ups and downs, but we’ve been having each other’s backs and supporting each other for the last 20 years! We have our share of dark nights, but always with the hope that our best days are still out ahead of us. I say we ain’t perfect, but we’re pretty close! All glory goes to God, who makes everything beautiful in His time.
3.“IF JESUS CAN ASK GOD TO FORGIVE THE PEOPLE WHO NAILED HIM TO THE CROSS, WHO ARE WE TO WITHHOLD FORGIVENESS FROM ANYONE?” Forgiveness is something you don’t do for the other person, you really do it for yourself. I’m learning to hand over all disappointments to God. When others are unfair, I remember God’s ways with me are more than fair! NOBODY CAN LOVE ME BETTER THAN HE CAN! I suck up His love and approval while I endlessly forgive everyone else for everything!
4.“DON’T ASK GOD TO FOLLOW YOU; YOU FOLLOW GOD! BE GOD’S ANGEL! And following God has led my life on a pretty gorgeous path! Not always easy following God’s will, but always so worth it. God’s ways are so much better than our human ways! I’m to the point that I use all the negativity in the world as fuel to up my game in being a better wife, mother, and person, SUPERHERO STYLE. GOD IS LOVE!

Thanks, K! I will forever be thanking God for you!!! Everyone needs a K in their life!