Your girl here has a lot going on, but God figures out all these wonderful ways to let me know that His Presence is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, with me. HEEHAW!!! Today I had to repossess a car from a customer, and God was with me every step.

As soon as I got up, all anxious with the thoughts of possibly losing a costly vehicle, I had an appointment with Him, and This verse was the very first thing that came 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_

I said, ‘OK, God, I will use this as an opportunity to trust You.’ Fast forward a few hours, I’m at work praying about the situation, asking God what direction to take, and His spirit took me to my text messages. Can you believe that weeks ago, this customer’s contact appeared, out of the blue, as one of my fav contacts under my daughters’ contacts? I wanted to remove it, but I just left it there for some reason. So, today when I’m asking God what to do, He took my attention to this fav contact, and again in my spirit, I felt him telling me to call him and not get a professional repo company involved. The customer surprisingly answered, and he told me where the car was and that I should come and pick it up. I rushed out with my faithful assistant, Martha!

We got to his address, and God had another glimmer of His Presence there waiting for me. Before calling this customer, I looked through the auction listings of cars available today. There weren’t too many that impressed me, but there were TWO white Dodge Avengers I was interested in buying. I got to his house, and he was blocking in a white Dodge Avenger. I know this may sound crazy, but this was God letting me know that His presence was there with me. It was no coincidence!

Then I needed to get something from the gas to take back to the vehicle, and a taxi showed up with my number lately from God “811.” This number showing up was another glimmer of God’s Presence which reminds me explicitly that I can have the peace that passes all understanding knowing that He is with me. I said, ‘God, thank You! I need your peace right now!!!”

So, the moral of the story can be beautifully summed up with this daily devotional (written as if God is speaking to us) that I randomly opened to before deciding to buy for my sons for our appointments with God every morning on the way to school:

“I am Bigger Than the World

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

As you go through this day, you will face problems and troubles. But you never have to face them alone. I am always with you. I am the best Friend that you will ever have. I walk beside you, to give you comfort and strength. I also walk ahead of you, so that I am ready to help you face whatever is coming. And I am within you, giving you a secret ability to think and act without fear.

There will be problems and hard times, but don’t let them get you down. I have already overcome all the problems of this world. In Me you can find Peace.” – Jesus Calling 365 Devotions For Kids

Wow, is that beautiful or what?!! There I was waking up stressing out about us possibly losing a very expensive vehicle, and God calmed me down right away saying, “Have no fear, I will help you.” These words have comforted me through many a challenges! God hasn’t disappointed me yet! Then he did go ahead of me by making that customer a fav contact from weeks ago. I promise you, I did not do that! Then God gave me the secret ability to think and act without fear – Nik, you call this customer yourself! You don’t need to hire a company to find the car.

I ended up talking to this customer about God. He told me he used to be very close to God but stepped away. I said, “Look where that has gotten you? Bad decision after bad decision (I met him in a very low state). Here is a smarter and wiser way: Involve God in every move you make. I showed him how God made him a fav under my daughters, and he was blown away. I said that’s God’s love for you and HE wants you back. In fact, He never left you, you left Him, and He wants you back walking with Him. God is like a shy person waiting on you to invite Him in to be a part of your life. I asked him to pray my fav prayer, “God, I want a closer walk with You. Amen.” I pray you do the same! I don’t know how people make it through life without God. I’m the God maniac here but yet life is still hard! LOL! WE NEED HIM!!!

I debated with Him under our tree yesterday as to whether or not to take my sons to work. I felt Him in my spirit saying, ‘TAKE THEM!!!’ Honestly, we had the best day together (HUGE SMILE)! It started with Emmie being upset at me, saying that I’m a terrible mom because I don’t cook for them. I told him I’m like Michelle Obama, Presidents’ wife, and I don’t cook! I explained how I may not cook, but I’m behind the scenes orchestrating the most delicious foods for them to enjoy. Julie would drive 30 minutes to buy okra to cook a Nigerian soup that they love with her dad helping her on video call. “The world doesn’t need my bad-tasting food!” I insisted. But the moral of the story is that people would try to fit you in a box that they want you in, but our times and energies are limited (life is short!), and I want us having constant conversations with God, asking Him what He would have us to do. The Lord is our Shepherd!

Then we had a situation with a car’s gas tank that refused to open, so we went to our angel/mechanic, Raul, and he opened it for us. We needed screws for our license plate frames that say “IN GOD WE TRUST” so we went to a hardware store, and that very morning in my appointment with God, He said to me, “The battle is not yours. It is God’s.” In comes a gentleman with a shirt confirming that message saying, “The Battle belongs to the Lord.” And on the back, it said, “THE LORD SHALL FIGHT FOR YOU, AND YE SHALL HOLD YOUR PEACE. – Exodus 14:14” No way this was some random coincidence! This very verse, let me tell ya, has seen me through so many storms as God lovingly tells me to do my utmost best and leave the rest with Him. GOD HAS NEVER FAILED ME!!!!!!!!!

Next, we fought over what to eat for lunch, and after two drive-thrus were not moving, we went to our fav Hoagie Hut. I go to the window to pay, and after telling you guys how God has been asking me to be patient, unbelievably, the sign at the counter to pay says something like, “This is not fast food. PLEASE BE PATIENT.” We left two other restaurants to come there to get that message from God!!! God is pretty talkative, and it’s so important that we learn His voice and direction for our lives. That’s my prayer for us! I’ve made many significant decisions because I was patient!

Later, I asked Emmie to help me send some documents to a bank so we could get paid for a deal. He said, “That’s not going to be my job. I don’t need to learn this.” Oh my goodness, I was so happy he said that. I responded, “You see your dad is too busy to help me buy cars, so I’m the one searching and buying cars. I’m taking them to the mechanic shop and tire shops. Our manager left, so you see mommy selling and financing the car and doing what I must to get paid from the banks. Every aspect of this business your mom has to do. When you grow up and need to feed your family, you must learn how to handle yourself in any and every situation, and as your mom, my job is to prepare you to cope with whatever life throws your way.”

Honestly, guys, listening to myself, I was like, wow, Nik, you are taking on your life like a real champion! A momma gotta do what a momma gotta do! And it’s all a testimony of God bringing out the best in me! All those battles that I’ve fought in the past were God’s way of increasing my faith in Him so that I could have the courage to take over every aspect of this business while hubby takes care of other vital issues. I got this, boo! The patience thing is working, too, baby! God uses all these experiences, the good, bad and ugly, to help us become all He has created us to be. That I could joyfully and bravely take my sons to work, knowing that even if my hubby is not with us and I must take on the mother and father role at the moment, the awareness of God’s Presence with me gives me such peace, joy, and courage.

A special thanks to Kevin, Jason, and Ceri, who genuinely have been angels in helping me stand strong for my family. I’m tapping into their male energy of calmness, toughness, courage, and strength while getting rid of some female emotions that take me down the wrong path. And to my better than best husband: thank you for a beautiful life and family and everything that you’ve done and continue to do for us! Forever grateful, guys!

That was me to my daughter, Julie, referring to my angel/brother, Kevin. Not only has he helped to keep my head together, but he has also helped me make some pretty significant decisions!!!!!!! I explained to her that not everything about life is black and white. Things are multi-dimensional, filled with many textures, layers, and colors that are inexplicable and mysterious. In each moment, there is so much going on that impacts eternity. Crazy, right?

Like Kevin is forever telling me to be patient. That patience led to this conversation with my husband today (I paraphrase here):

“Boo, do you realize our decisions today will affect not only our children but our grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and on and on from generation to generation? I was listening to the radio today and a wife was saying the secret of her marriage that has lasted for over 29 years was communication and sacrifice. Honey, this sacrifice (splitting our family apart) you have made for our children and future generations coming after them, I thank you. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart with the deepest and sincerest love and devotion.

I saw Ember (our daughter) on a video call in the skybox of her university overlooking the football team, and I was just in awe. She looked so beautiful and happy. She is about to start her Wall Street internship, and we did that for her. Immediately Julie went to her university sendoff event, and she was also offered a Wall Street internship. I know this whole thing has been difficult, but it’s been a worthy sacrifice for our kids, and I’ll forever thank you for this. I bow to you. No matter what we must go through, this wife is sticking with you.”

On our way to school this morning, the boys and I called hubby, and he told them that he and Julie had planned a date to cook another African dish for them. I asked our sons, “Did I find you guys the best dad or what? Even from Nigeria he wants to make sure you guys are eating well.”

This marriage thing is not easy, though, and the crazy lady in me would have me think the wrong things, all mad and bitter, but God and Kevin have been teaching me to focus on the good in others and to go the extra mile and love and forgiveness. With the love, generosity, and support I receive from Kevin, I say I want to be that for others. Learning to be much kinder, gentler, and compassionate, learning to overlook and ignore, and loving unconditionally the way God loves us all. Nobody’s perfect!

Let’s keep giving our best, especially in our homes, so that future generations will be thanking us too for the decisions we make today. They watch us fight for our families so that they will do the same when their turn comes. Thanks, Kevin (and God for arranging you to come to my rescue!) for being my guard rails and helping me to get here! I pray God continues to bless you plenty, plenty for the love you show us!!! Enjoy the Audi! I’m enjoying doing the family hustle with you! Wink! Wink!

That was the crucial question my brother/angel, Kevin, asked yesterday! I said, “K, don’t worry about that. I tried calling, and they sent a text asking who it was, and after I said it was me, they never texted or called back, and that’s OK.” “It’s not OK,” Kevin insisted. I responded, “It’s very OK! They taught me an important lesson: people can come in and out of your life, but God loves us unconditionally and sticks with us no matter our mistakes and failings.

Fast forward to me going under my tree to talk to God, He wanted to get in on that conversation when this old post showed up:

“I ACCEPT THE FACT THAT NOT EVERYONE CAN HANDLE THE NICKSTER (ME!!!)…

… that’s why I cherish the ones who do!” That was me to my brother, Kevin. I’m still thanking him for keeping my head together last year…And having people like Kevin in life is what makes life sweeter. I’m not talking about superficial, fake relationships. I’m talking about people who are really for you and your success. They’re loving and loyal, and I’m blessed to have such. Hubs and I are celebrating this entire year because this will make 20 years since we met for the first time. 20 years putting up with me! That’s cause for celebrating!

The values such as patience, going overboard in love and forgiveness, seeing the best in others and not their faults (anyone can find dirt in others, be the one that finds the gold), integrity, loyalty, kindness, and just always reminded that nobody’s perfect (including myself), have led my life on a beautiful path with some pretty awesome people who love and support me. I won’t start listing them, but they know who they are!

THE MOST LOYAL AWARD GOES TO GOD, THOUGH. NO MATTER WHO LEAVES US, HE STAYS (Wink! Wink!):

“The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; Do not be discouraged.”

Let’s stay loyal to Him by making Him our PRIORITY, going to Him in every decision seeking to make Him happy. I promise you, God doesn’t disappoint! He gives us more than we can ever imagine, like the most extraordinary relationships!!!”

Anybody who doesn’t want to speak to me, no problem, I’m good! Even this husband I mentioned, who has stuck with me for the last 20 years, decides he doesn’t want to not be with me anymore, no problem. I’m his ride-or-die loyal to the end wife, but he may not feel the same. And that’s life! We must carry everyone with open hands!!! The ones who celebrate being with you, keep them close. The ones who celebrate when you leave, let them go! Life is too short, baby!

I loved a God wink first thing this morning. Yesterday, I sent Kevin a photo of his words to me that I’ve made my phone’s screensaver:

“Neeks, God wants you to know YOU ARE SECURE IN HIM.”

First thing this morning, I went to page 4 for an appointment with God and these words were there written as if God was speaking directly to me:

“I want you to realize how UTTERLY secure you are (Wink! Wink!)! Even if you falter as you journey through life, I will never let go of your hand. Knowing that your future is absolutely assured can free you to live abundantly today.” – Jesus Calling

No way this was a coincidence! It was God speaking directly to me!!! Not just secure, He said “UTTERLY secure.” So, what’s my business if someone doesn’t want to speak to me anymore? I wish them nothing but the best, and we keep it moving forward. Even our own father and mother may forsake us, but God wants us all to know WE ARE UTTERLY SECURE IN HIM!!! Amen!!! MAKE GETTING TO KNOW HIM YOUR TOP PRIORITY!!!!

I asked Kevin, Jason, and Ceri this morning in our WhatsApp group showing them a pic of the song ‘Highest In The Room’ playing by Travis Scott that I named our group after (they are really putting up with me guys!!!) The goal is to put together a book of ten chapters with some awesome advice of living our best lives with God. Today, for full transparency, I added my husband and a close friend to the conversation. But to explain what I mean by the highest in the room, I thought to write about someone who lived it, our great friend, Lucky Omoluwa, until God said He wanted His special angel back with Him.

Let me tell ya, I had the honor and privilege of watching Lucky in action. He lived life having direct communications with God Himself. This is what I imagine when I say highest in the room: Living life with one foot on earth and one foot in heaven having moment by moment conversations asking God what He would have us to do (or not do), say (or not say) and go (or not go) in every moment. Every conversation. Every circumstance. Every relationship. The things Lucky accomplished while here were nothing but extraordinary and I have no doubt that this was how he did them.

Take for example the school he built where my kids attended in Nigeria. The school has given us five fierce kids. No joke! Today I did a video call with my daughter, Ember, at her university in New York where she was sitting looking so pretty in the skybox overlooking the football team as one of the team managers. This super fierce daughter was trained in Lucky’s school where she got a strong foundation in not only academic excellence, but also in character training learning perseverance, responsibility, integrity, discipline and excellence as part of the core values. Even after his death, his legacy lives on in the hundreds of students still passing through those school doors. That’s the highest in the room I’m talking about. Even after death he continues to positively impact the world!

I write a lot about love and loyalty in these posts because Lucky demonstrated these values on an out of this world level. We travelled all over the world together and he was exceedingly generous and loving taking our family as if we were his family. Like who would pay for a family of six people to travel the world with them and pay the majority of the expenses? Lucky! They welcomed us to their home every Saturday in Nigeria, where I know God Himself sent me to his wife for training on how to be a wise and calm wife (still learning!). Before Kevin and I became so close, she was my guard rails helping me to stay cool when the crazy lady wanted to come out. She is my shining example of a person who has beautifully pointed me to God. Her and Lucky have been great influencers on my family. Not one moment around them was a waste of time. Even in death, I remain loyal to Lucky.

Bottom-line: What I really want us taking from Lucky is that God was his Man! The level of generosity, courage, love, loyalty, and excellence he demonstrated was that he was having continual conversations with God Himself using God’s wisdom, tact and guidance (Not that he got it right all the time, nobody’s perfect!) This is where I want us all!! Everything is between us and God and not between us and anyone else. Seeing Ember on that video call looking so happy and flourishing was my special reminder of how God exceeds our expectations when we stick with Him. May Lucky’s life remind us all that we’re not here for a long time (every moment is a gift!), but for a good time, hopefully accomplishing some great things on God’s behalf. Amen!

“I will seek to honor God, obey His word, and do His will.”- Courageous

Seeing Ember on that video call this week looking so pretty, happy, and flourishing in that skybox overlooking the football team as one of the managers has, honestly, changed me. I called Kevin today just to thank him for being the guard rails for my life for the past few years and helping me make some significant decisions. My husband called Kevin about three years ago, reporting me to him. When I wanted Kevin to give hubby our family’s response, he said, “FORGET THE FOOLISHNESS YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND ARE FIGHTING ABOUT, FOCUS ON GETTING YOUR DAUGHTERS TO SCHOOL IN THE US.” That began some extraordinary conversations that I look back on in absolute amazement. All those talks have been sacred as if I was talking to God Himself.

Kevin jokes, saying his job from God is to keep me happy (HUGE SMILE), but Kevin’s voice is continually in my head like a broken record:

“Neeks, I want you to make God your top priority. Get closer to God.”
“Neeks, I want you to work on being a wise woman.”
“Neeks, you’re going to have to be patient right now.”
“Neeks, marriage is like a team; when one person is weak, the other has to be strong and vice versa.”
“Neeks, be on chill for life. Don’t take anything or anyone too seriously.”
“Neeks, God wants you to know YOU ARE SECURE IN HIM.”

Yesterday Kevin and I argued over who should have a gorgeous BMW I purchased for his car business in the Bahamas. He said he wanted me to have it to make some money from it, and I said I wanted him to have it because the vehicle is so beautiful and clean that I want him to have it as an important symbol of a brother and sister working together as a team to help each other. The world needs more of that! I told him how I wake up so excited looking for cars for both of our businesses. It gives me such joy to know I can help him somehow for all he has done for my family and me. He has been like one hundred brothers in one, and now I want him continually in your head, too.:

“I want you to make God your top priority. Get closer to God.” He exceeds our expectations when we follow His leading!
“I want you to work on being a wise woman/man.” Ask God what He would have you do! Obey God and leave the consequences with Him!
“You’re going to have to be patient right now.” Please be patient!!!
“Marriage is like a team, when one person is weak, the other has to be strong and vice versa.” With God’s help and support, we can get through anything!
“Be on chill for life. Don’t take anything or anyone too seriously.” Relax. God got us!
“God wants you to know YOU ARE SECURE IN HIM.” May we work every day on increasing of faith in God! Amen!

That’s the message from God for all of us today! Let me tell you, this is a difficult lesson to learn, but when I look back on my life, I’m grateful I’ve been patient. Thanks to my brother, Kevin, and God constantly saying, “Neeks, you’re going to have to be patient right now.” I love what my calendar from God says:

“The things that seem so difficult today are the things that, in the future, you will be thankful that you experienced, because they will have taught you priceless lessons of faith, patience, and wisdom.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9”

I have a beautiful patience story for you guys today! Over two years ago, I was out on my run around our neighborhood. God put it in my spirit to stop the run and call Kevin’s wife, Verona. She was very angry with Kevin that morning, but I told her, “I see you and Kevin in a house together, just like the ones here where I am. So, stay cool. Calm down. Stick with him. Whatever he does, keep forgiving him. Just take my advice, you will thank me later. ”

Fast forward to today, I called Verona freaking out, “I’m about to have a heart attack, I can’t get in touch with Kevin for the last two days!” She said, “Hold on, he is right here with me.” She puts Kevin on the phone, and he says, “Sorry I didn’t answer your calls, I’m here with Verona, and we’re doing the walkthrough of our house.” That’s the newly constructed home they built together!!! To God be the glory!!! The very house that I stopped on my run to tell her that I saw her and Kevin in together. How great is our God? For Him to put that in my spirit to stop in the middle of my run and call Verona with that message. That’s the love He has for us all!!! He didn’t want Verona to make a wrong decision.

That’s the power of patience! We may not see a way, but don’t play around with God. NEVER FORGET THE GOD FACTOR!!! He makes the impossible possible! I pray Kevin and Verona build many more happy memories in that home with many grandkids running about in it. (HUGE SMILE)

Patience has led me to a great place today, too, with me calling my husband in Nigeria and saying, “God and I know that you are trying your best, and we are very proud of you.” As I’ve been patient, God has been changing me! I’ve learned that nobody’s perfect, and only God can judge us! May we learn to love each other for both our strengths and weaknesses. Amen!

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

That’s what I said to someone a short time ago. Instead of looking to other humans for love, I encouraged them to look to God. “Nobody will love us better than Him!!! Forget about it! Just focus your mind on being wrapped up in God’s arms every moment and enjoying Him!!!” Just living in His Presence and with eyes fixed on Him being the people He would have us to be in every moment! For me, that means being the greatest of all time wife, mother, and person so that when I die, God, Himself will say, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” Seeing Ember yesterday on that video call looking so happy and on top of the world in her skybox, watching the football team that she helps manage, play, was such a beautiful eyeopener to all the beauty in my life. We came from Nigeria to the US to do hard things, and we’re doing them, baby! It isn’t always pretty, but we thank God for the strength to get back up whenever we fall! Amen!

Like I told this friend, our kids pick up on our energy, and as mothers, we must set the tone for the home. WE MUST BE THE GLUE TO KEEP THE FAMILY HAPPY AND TOGETHER. Our role from God Himself!!! My son, Joshie, had an emotional breakdown the other night, and I thank God that he came to me and we were able to talk it out. I said, “Come on, we got this! We’re going to take this school year as a game. Something fun and me, you, and God are doing together.” Made me realize that they are counting on me to be strong and together. The next day I was back in my Tom Brady training every day like an athlete mode reminded that my sons were counting on me to be my best self for them. Everything I told him is what my brother, Kevin, has been teaching me. I get overwhelmed, too but Kevin tells me to relax, not take anything too seriously (to be on chill for life!!!) Everything about our lives has already been written! God got us!

Today Kevin wrote, “Relax and enjoy the journey or be miserable, and the journey will happen anyway.” Take your pick! I’m so happy for someone who recently called me from Nigeria and said to me, “Everything that you hear that’s going on here is all foolishness and nonsense. Just get your mind off that and get closer to God. God will send you an angel to calm your mind.” Honestly, that was the big wake-up call I needed. I stress the foolishness and nonsense too much, but when you know better, you do better. That’s our prayer!

And God didn’t just send me an angel, He sent me an entire team of angels! I told some of them today that I walk with God holding one of my hands and them holding the other. Never underestimate the value of the people you surround yourself with. That’s the love I receive from God and why I can say wholeheartedly, “FORGET THE LOVE FROM OTHER PEOPLE!!!” Learn to be deaf, dumb, and blind, forgiving endlessly, being gentle and patient, and showing everyone God’s love instead, and enjoy your life! From fighting with my sons to get dressed for school, to enjoying going back and forth to tire and mechanic shops to keep the family hustle going, to snuggling and laughing with my Joshie before sleeping, I’m determined to find the joy because every second is a pure gift from God! Toast! To living our greatest lives with God!!! GETTING OUR LOVE FROM HIM!!! AMEN!!!

I asked Kevin, Jason, and Ceri this morning in our WhatsApp group showing them a pic of the song ‘Highest In The Room’ playing by Travis Scott that I named our group after (they are really putting up with me guys!!!) The goal is to put together a book of ten chapters with some awesome advice of living our best lives with God. Today, for full transparency, I added my husband and a close friend to the conversation. But to explain what I mean by the highest in the room, I thought to write about someone who lived it, our great friend, Lucky Omoluwa, until God said He wanted His special angel back with Him.

Let me tell ya, I had the honor and privilege of watching Lucky in action. He lived life having direct communications with God Himself. This is what I imagine when I say highest in the room: Living life with one foot on earth and one foot in heaven having moment by moment conversations asking God what He would have us to do (or not do), say (or not say) and go (or not go) in every moment. Every conversation. Every circumstance. Every relationship. The things Lucky accomplished while here were nothing but extraordinary and I have no doubt that this was how he did them.

Take for example the school he built where my kids attended in Nigeria. The school has given us five fierce kids. No joke! Today I did a video call with my daughter, Ember, at her university in New York where she was sitting looking so pretty in the skybox overlooking the football team as one of the team managers. This super fierce daughter was trained in Lucky’s school where she got a strong foundation in not only academic excellence, but also in character training learning perseverance, responsibility, integrity, discipline and excellence as part of the core values. Even after his death, his legacy lives on in the hundreds of students still passing through those school doors. That’s the highest in the room I’m talking about. Even after death he continues to positively impact the world!

I write a lot about love and loyalty in these posts because Lucky demonstrated these values on an out of this world level. We travelled all over the world together and he was exceedingly generous and loving taking our family as if we were his family. Like who would pay for a family of six people to travel the world with them and pay the majority of the expenses? Lucky! They welcomed us to their home every Saturday in Nigeria, where I know God Himself sent me to his wife for training on how to be a wise and calm wife (still learning!). Before Kevin and I became so close, she was my guard rails helping me to stay cool when the crazy lady wanted to come out. She is my shining example of a person who has beautifully pointed me to God. Her and Lucky have been great influencers on my family. Not one moment around them was a waste of time. Even in death, I remain loyal to Lucky.

Bottom-line: What I really want us taking from Lucky is that God was his Man! The level of generosity, courage, love, loyalty, and excellence he demonstrated was that he was having continual conversations with God Himself using God’s wisdom, tact and guidance (Not that he got it right all the time, nobody’s perfect!) This is where I want us all!! Everything is between us and God and not between us and anyone else. Seeing Ember on that video call looking so happy and flourishing was my special reminder of how God exceeds our expectations when we stick with Him. May Lucky’s life remind us all that we’re not here for a long time (every moment is a gift!), but for a good time, hopefully accomplishing some great things on God’s behalf. Amen!

“I will seek to honor God, obey His word, and do His will.”- Courageous

That’s the message from God for all of us today! Let me tell you, this is a difficult lesson to learn, but when I look back on my life, I’m grateful I’ve been patient. Thanks to my brother, Kevin, and God constantly saying, “Neeks, you’re going to have to be patient right now.” I love what my calendar from God says:

“The things that seem so difficult today are the things that, in the future, you will be thankful that you experienced, because they will have taught you priceless lessons of faith, patience, and wisdom.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. – 2 Corinthians 12:9”

I have a beautiful patience story for you guys today! Over two years ago, I was out on my run around our neighborhood. God put it in my spirit to stop the run and call Kevin’s wife, Verona. She was very angry with Kevin that morning, but I told her, “I see you and Kevin in a house together, just like the ones here where I am. So, stay cool. Calm down. Stick with him. Whatever he does, keep forgiving him. Just take my advice, you will thank me later. ”

Fast forward to today, I called Verona freaking out, “I’m about to have a heart attack, I can’t get in touch with Kevin for the last two days!” She said, “Hold on, he is right here with me.” She puts Kevin on the phone, and he says, “Sorry I didn’t answer your calls, I’m here with Verona, and we’re doing the walkthrough of our house.” That’s the newly constructed home they built together!!! To God be the glory!!! The very house that I stopped on my run to tell her that I saw her and Kevin in together. How great is our God? For Him to put that in my spirit to stop in the middle of my run and call Verona with that message. That’s the love He has for us all!!! He didn’t want Verona to make a wrong decision.

That’s the power of patience! We may not see a way, but don’t play around with God. NEVER FORGET THE GOD FACTOR!!! He makes the impossible possible! I pray Kevin and Verona build many more happy memories in that home with many grandkids running about in it. (HUGE SMILE)

Patience has led me to a great place today, too, with me calling my husband in Nigeria and saying, “God and I know that you are trying your best, and we are very proud of you.” As I’ve been patient, God has been changing me! I’ve learned that nobody’s perfect, and only God can judge us! May we learn to love each other for both our strengths and weaknesses. Amen!

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