“ONEKA, ARE YOU ALRIGHT? I DIDN’T HEAR FROM YOU TODAY”
That was the WhatsApp voice message my “Sama” sister/mama, Kelly, left me yesterday. I called her to say that the baboon is working hard these days because I AM KNOWN TO BE VERY LAZY AND PROCRSAITNATE TOO MUCH. So, even though, I had lots on my plate this morning, the feeling from God was to take some time and talk with her while walking. I got to my God tree, and asked her what she had to say to it, and she sweetly said, “Thank you, tree, for giving my sister peace and clarity.” I then hung up from her to see what God had to say to me there. It was 16 minutes past the hour, so I went to page 16 of our family’s website, and look what incredibly showed up:
““MOM, YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A REPUTATION FOR BEING LAZY AND PROCRASTINATING!” (Wink! Wink!) Oh my goodness! I’m so thanking my daughter, Ember, for being so real with me when she said this to me recently – l love criticism!”
See how God found a way under that tree to remind me that His loving and invisible Presence is always with me. That’s the love I want you guys to know and experience for yourselves. The better you know Him, the more you love Him! He is too much! How could my very words to my sister show up so perfectly on page 16 at 16 minutes past the hour? No coincidence. All God, baby!
And let me tell you, I love the alliance I have with this sister. She makes me stronger and better! Every conversation with her is sacred. Like after speaking with her today, I had to have a tough meeting with my daughters. I explained that life is not just about always asking, ‘What’s in this for me?’ But, ‘What can I do to help you?’ Relationships are a two-way street. You give, and you get! Having humility and asking, ‘How may I serve you?’ with a helpful, grateful, and kind attitude, and always giving your best is the way to go. Not just asking other people to do for you! It ain’t that kind of party! “If you’re a street cleaner, be the best street cleaner!” God loves the humble!!!
The conversation with the boys on the way to school was the best, though! We read about faithfulness (something we seemed to have forgotten about in the world today!):
“This fruit of the Spirit is the word for standing fast, steadfastness, devoted, tried, constant, reliable, unwavering, trustworthy, dependable, resolute, honest, punctual, and steady… The faithful person is dependable in all kind of life circumstances.” – Robert Strand
I explained that this will be a HARD year for them because that’s what I did for their sisters when they were their ages. Now, my girls rock! Ember is about to go to university in New York, where she eventually wants to work on Wall Street. Julie is registering for in-person college classes that will be held 30 minutes away from our home, even though she technically is still a high school student. By the grace of God, we’ve raised some confident, hardworking, disciplined, wise, independent, and responsible daughters. Heehaw!
Like I tell you guys, I GET MY ADVICE FROM GOD! He knows the utmost best for us (including the people we need in life like Kelly and my brother, Kevin (in the picture with me!). I want us all going to Him for clarity and direction in every aspect of our lives. A LIFE GUIDED BY GOD CANNOT FAIL!!!
“SHOULD I TAKE MY SONS TO WORK WITH ME EVERY SATURDAY?”
That’s the question I’ve been asking everyone like a crazy lady. I don’t want to be too hard nor too soft. Like Mike, our customer/friend, told me, “Nik, you’re raising men.” Even my husband is against me taking them EVERY week, but I look at how hardworking he is, and it’s because he had a mom who took him to work hard in her business. So, I went to God, praying and asking Him for some guidance on the matter. Can you guys believe He figured out a way to answer me?
So, there I was, again debating in my spirit before going out for a run to touch my God tree. An old post from three days before came through my phone’s email, and something told me to stop and read it. Look what incredibly showed up:
“Take them to work EVERY Saturday!”
And that right there is what I call the sweetness of God. He found a way to answer me. (HUGE SMILE) My son, Emmie, was so upset at me that morning, and I questioned myself. Taking that little minute to hear from God before going out on that run made me so happy, knowing God is PERSONALLY involved in every aspect of my life.
That’s the great news I have for you: God wants to help us in our individual lives! He didn’t just create us and say, ‘Good luck with this life thing!’ I’ve happily accepted this assignment from Him to be His little guinea pig to tackle whatever He throws my way and report to you guys how He shows up for me no matter what is going on.
In my last post, I wrote that I want us all winning together, and God even confirmed that in an appointment with Him with a poem saying something like, ‘I don’t want a crown for myself, but for all to wear one!’ That’s His love—He wants us all winning!!! He is with us, for us, and on our side. It’s just for us to commit to a relationship with Him and follow His lead in every decision. He is constantly speaking to us. Those feelings of peace are His way of saying go this way, versus doubt, anxiety, and stress, when we think of going a certain direction, means to hold up, rethink this! Will you commit to walking closer with God today? My eyes are on the prize, baby, with God lovingly leading the way! I hope you join me! Let’s win together! Wink! Wink!
“TRUSTING GOD AND IGNORING HUBBY’S RED FLAGS IS TOTALLY DIFFERENT”
Was the message I got from a Facebook friend. She continued:
“Saying hubby is too busy and tired to call his wife and children is exactly that, an excuse. A red flag! Hubby has been too busy to be a hubby and father for many years now. That’s God’s truth, but you’re not trying to hear that.”
Tough crowd, right?!? My brother, Kevin, said I should keep it real with you guys, so the God’s truth is that I have the best husband/baby daddy in the world! Like I say, though, we ain’t perfect, but we’re damn close! Every marriage has its own set of challenges (demons!!!), but God has been the best Marriage Counselor! Wink! Wink!
One day I got upset with hubby, and he made the best statement, “Nikki, I’m done trying to explain myself to you! Ask God about me!” No joke guys, God opened my eyes to all the excellent qualities of my husband that I now love and adore. The devil would have me to focus on the wrong things!!! But God has been teaching me to love hubby His way, going the extra mile in love (forgiveness), joy, goodness, forgiveness, patience, humility, self-control, kindness, and faithfulness (the fruits of the spirit). That goes for all our significant relationships!
Hopefully, these characteristics are what I’m reflecting in these posts because they are the foundation to a God-centered life/personality where we constantly ask Him, “God, what would You have me to do here?’ His ways are not the ordinary human ways, but when we follow His lead, staying on the high road with Him by being our most loving, patient, and excellent selves, he lovingly guides us on the best paths uniquely for us.
I’m thankful, and I’m blessed to have this gift of faith and for God’s guidance with my family and me. I can’t imagine my life without Him! But I want you here with me, too, not conforming with the world but learning God’s voice. I want us all WINNING together! Wink! Wink!
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
“LOOK WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE YOU WERE OBEDIENT TO GOD. YOU’RE WINNING, NIK.”
These words from our friend/customer, Mike, surprised me one day we were chatting outside our office. For him to notice that and comment on it blew me away. I may go through my tough and challenging times, but following God’s voice has guided me to a beautiful place that I confidently tell you, A LIFE CLOSE TO GOD CANNOT FAIL!!! And that’s my message to the world: when you are obedient and follow God’s lead, this is the way to the best life with Him as your PERSONAL Guide and Adviser.
A verse in the Bible says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” I want the world here with me, listening and following God in the 1,000 decisions we make every day, trusting that God knows what’s best for us in every situation. He has been teaching me such important values in my alone times with Him. That when I’m back out in the world, I try to center my decisions from a ‘God, what would You have me to do here?’ perspective. Super tough sometimes when the crazy lady wants to make an appearance, but the wiser, calmer, more loving, and patient Nik has learned that God ALWAYS knows best. I may lose here and there, but in the BIG picture, I’m winning! Wink! Wink!
And a strong life has an impact on others, was the message from Dr. Charles Stanley, who has been such a tremendous blessing to me. I listen to his sermons and always pick up on so many ways where I can improve. Check him out on YouTube! I now look at my 50 days of discipline as not just about being an opportunity to improve myself and tackle some weaknesses, but how can I inspire you to seek a closer walk with God. I want us all to win together by being the people God Himself would have us to be.
I loved a story on the news of how Russia and the USA have supported each other in their space endeavors. When one country lacks the funds, the other country backs them up. They share information for the betterment of the space program and with vital information for the world. I feel this is where God wants us all: WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER!
May we all show up as our best selves, doing our best with whatever God asks us to do as we make the world a better place, starting in our homes and close relationships. The more beautiful we look – inside and out – the more beautiful God looks! Wink! Wink! Join me in the days of discipline! What bad habits do you need God’s strength to help you overcome? We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Amen!
“WERE YOU THINKING HE WAS WITH HIS OTHER FAMILY IN NIGERIA? THAT’S WHY HE WASN’T CHECKING ON YOU?”
I just read this comment on Facebook after sharing that I was a little hurt when I didn’t hear from my hubby one evening. He is in Nigeria, and I’m in the US, and of course, the devil is busy with wanting to put all sorts of crazy thoughts into my head. But I’m saying, “Devil, you’re not going to put me to shame; I’m going to put you to shame!” Your girl here is going to use this time from hubby as an opportunity to up my game in every aspect of my life. HEEHAW!!!
I began my 50 days of discipline again—no time for weak, silly thoughts. I need to discipline my mind to think of good, lovely, worthy of praise, excellent, true, and honorable things. I have the best husband in the world! That’s all I know and all I need to know. Time and energies are limited and valuable. Don’t waste them dwelling and focused on what is unimportant and useless. I want to work on being an even better wife to this hubby who has been God’s gift to our family, and has stuck with me for the last 20 years. Ride or die chick forever, boo!
“Take them to work EVERY Saturday!” was the advice of a customer, Mike, regarding my sons. He blew me away when he told me how he kept up with all his bills even though he didn’t have a job during the Covid lockdown. I asked him how he did it, and his response was, “Nikki, I’m a man. I have to do what I have to do.” That reminded me that I’m raising my boys to be men one day. This life is not easy, and just how my mom dragged me to work with her to prepare me for life, I’ll be taking our sons. To hopefully pass on the vital legacy my mom taught me: “If you are a street cleaner, be the best street cleaner.” Amen! Let’s do everything for the glory of God! He is our ultimate Boss!
“This business needs you, Nik!” was also Mike’s advice. After our manager wasn’t able to find a good deal for him for a car he wanted to purchase, he came to see me and in that conversation with him about the boys, I came up with an idea (God’s whispers solutions to me!) and made the deal happen. Then hearing myself say that I have 20 years of experience opened my eyes to the fact that our business does need me there. And with God’s spirit and wisdom backing me up, the people to assist me, God’s favor sending customers our way, I can go in with the strength and courage to take on my life joyfully, knowing He is with me in every moment.
“Run,” was incredibly the text message from Mike yesterday morning, exactly as I left a meeting and was debating whether or not to go for my run with God or not. It was like he was reading my mind. Guys, I went running in the rain feeling like this that a message from God saying I should not skip my run (alone time with Him!). Julie, my accountability coach, later explained that I need to keep the running going as a crucial part of the 50 days of discipline.
See how Mike has been such a Godsend? Let me tell ya, he does not play around with his relationship with God. He wakes up every morning to alone times with God and spends all day on Sundays at church praising and thanking God. That’s where I want us all – Making God a priority! I have no doubt it was God who sent him with all this great advice. That’s the love of God I’ve gotten to know! He corrects those He loves!
Mike also said, “Look what happened because you were obedient to God. You’re winning, Nik.” Honestly, I’m amazed how God has led my life on such a beautiful and gorgeous path. Don’t play around with your relationship with Him. Make all your decisions from the perspective of, ‘God, what would You have me to do here?’ I promise you, this is the way to the best life with Him! Thanks, Mike!!!
And it turned out to be such a beautiful thing! So yes, I was a bit disappointed not hearing from him now that he is back in Nigeria and I’m in the US. But God showed up! After feeling sad about it all the following morning, I go for my run with God. When a glitch occurred with the Nike run I selected, and it refused to play, I knew it was God’s way of calling my attention to the lyrics of this song that was the very first to randomly play:
“The very first time that I saw your brown eyes… I knew right then you were the one… You were more than just a face… I JUST WANNA BE THE ONE YOU NEED… I just wanna be the One to serve you… To be with Me through thick and thin… Please share My love with Me, My friend… I cherish every moment that We share… I need someone who will be My friend… Promise that you’ll never leave me lonely… I JUST WANT TO BE THE ONE YOU NEED…” – If I Ever Fall in Love, Shai
Told you guys, God is pretty talkative once you have ears to hear Him! For this song to be the very first to play during my morning run with Him, was His sweet way of telling me that He didn’t want me sad and upset by feeling a little rejected by hubby and that HE WANTS TO BE THE ONE I NEED! God is really a jealous God! Others may reject us, but His love is everlasting, faithful, and unconditional.
In hubby’s defense, though, he has so much going on, and he is pretty tired by the time he gets home. I was getting spoilt with spending every evening with him here cooking for us and watching our show Blacklist on Netflix together. Love ya, boo!
How is your relationship with God going? Are you His friend? I promise you, all my alone times that I’ve invested in getting to know Him have paid off infinity percent! Hubby may not be here with me, but knowing God is my Constant Companion (who sings to me!) gives me the courage to take on my life bravely, joyfully, lovingly, peacefully, and STRONG!
My daughter, Ember, was supposed to pick up some stuff at a nearby Audi dealership yesterday. However, we both forgot! This morning, I felt God in my spirit saying, ‘Nik, you go!’ Immediately I saw the building, the happy tears started coming. I didn’t remember that this was the building that we passed every Sunday on our way to church and my husband would say to me and our kids, “That’s our dealership!” Can you believe this very business inspired my husband to replicate it in Nigeria? Those drives with them were over 15 years ago, and it just filled me with overwhelming gratitude for the faithfulness of God. Not only did He give my husband the courage, strength, inspiration, wisdom, and clarity to accomplish such a feat, He has been with our family EVERY SINGLE STEP OF THE WAY! I called hubby crying, saying, “It’s my honor to accompany you on this life adventure! God has exceeded our expectations!”
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Corinthians 2:9
That’s why I take such delight in telling you guys my God stories! To say that if you are not rolling with God, you’re missing out on the best life! This pic is of me and my husband hanging out with my brother, Gil, and his wife, Grace, my sister, Marilyn, and her son, Warren at his restaurant, The Salty Crab, on Junkanoo Beach in the Bahamas. We had such a great time there, enjoying the out-of-this-world ambiance, eating some delicious food. If you go, have the shrimp and conch combo with extra ketchup and hot sauce! Great job, my War! Hope to be back soon for some more! To God be the glory!
And speaking of faithful, that’s my sister, Marilyn – Madam Faithful herself in that pic! Seeing her go the extra mile for everyone (including me and hubs who just showed up to surprise them) inspired me to up my game in faithfulness, loyalty, and dependability, knowing that these values are repaid by God Himself when we stick with being the people He would have us to be.
That was my message to some people God had me run into yesterday. I needed to go to the bank, so I rushed out before they were scheduled to close. But like 20 minutes before I left, I called this person who I haven’t spoken to in weeks, and they texted me back saying they were on a call and they would call me back. I get to the bank, and the feeling from God was not to use the bank’s drive-thru window, but I must go inside. Can you believe I ended up parking right next to the person I had called? “It’s like I’m stalking you!” I excitedly said. There was no way this was some mere coincidence! It was God Himself directing my footsteps to meet them there!
I was even wearing a T-shirt that I took the tag off that very morning that I purchased for all of us to wear and take pictures together that says, “Better Together.” The pictures never happened, but meeting them there was God’s way of confirming that He wants us together. I was blown away by how God is so involved in our lives! I encouraged them to stay on the high road with God no matter what anyone else is doing. Everything is between God and us. Let’s just ask, ‘God what would make You happy here?’ and be about doing it. I promise you, the disappointments will still come, but God will pay You back more than anything anyone could ever take from you! He doesn’t disappoint! You can ask yourself this crucial question:
“Were you insulted or were you given a lesson in forgiveness, a test in unconditional love?” -Change your attitude, change your life. (Tumblr.com via michaelbogild)
I questioned myself yesterday after I shared that we sold two cars as to whether or not I reveal too much about my life in these blogs and vlogs. But when I think about the awesomeness of God and His involvement in EVERYTHING concerning me, I say it’s my pleasure to document this great news. That no matter the aspect, God is personally concerned about anything concerning us on an individual basis. Don’t ask me how He keeps track of the billions of people on the planet on a moment-by-moment basis, but He incredibly does. God knows what’s best for you, best for me, best for cousin John, and everyone else. My job is to report to you how He shows up for me on the daily so that you too will begin to feel His Presence. I call it the sweet life with God, baby!
Let’s take a closer look at those two vehicles we sold, though, as to how God shows up for us in our business. “How do you know what cars to buy?” my sweetie sister, Kelly, asked me yesterday. I told her about our buying strategy, where we go through two detailed reports giving us the history of the cars. Then, most crucially, we get God involved. We have a conversation with Him about each vehicle. Feelings of doubt from Him mean don’t buy. The ones we are excited and feel peaceful about after praying for His guidance are the ones we try to purchase. God is an expert in everything! He knows the real history and condition of every vehicle that those reports can’t tell us. I’ve learned that those feelings are His way of constantly communicating to us 24 hours a day. It’s just for us to stay close to Him and pay attention to what He is saying. Kk?
These two particular vehicles we sold; I remember asking God whether the price points were too much before trying to bid on them. I got the feeling from Him that He would send the right customers who would qualify to buy them. That gave me the confidence to purchase them, and God didn’t disappoint. Send us customers He certainly did! Both customers were easily qualified, and both talked about how they went to nearby dealerships, but something told them to come to us instead. That was God’s spirit (His favor!) working in the background of our lives on our behalf! Those who look to the Lord will not starve! Amen!
My mission from Him is to bring you closer to Him! This picture is of my hubby and I celebrating 20 years together at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, where we met for the first time. It’s our closeness to God that has brought us here, no doubt. We both seek to be the spouses that God Himself would have us to be. We both get it seriously wrong at times, but the Godly principles of patience, loyalty, going the extra mile in love, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness, peace, and joy have kept us on a beautiful path. I am so proud of our family, and I give all the glory to God! Every night, no matter the day I had, I get on my knees to say, ‘God, thank You!’
