That was a text from my daughter, Ember, a couple of nights ago. I responded, “God is our strength.” But this Ember is really something else. She may not say much (I call her silent killer!), but when she does, I pay attention. Like when she told me that last year was looking like my worst year ever, I was determined to turn that around. Then recently, when she said that it seems as if I’ve abandoned my sons, I’m back focused, man! Professionally momma upped her game!
But, this last one, “You’re a strong lady, mother,” has sunk DEEP with me. It just reminded me that in every moment, I have access to God. When I’m weak, with Him, I’m strong!!! I’m walking with some extra pep in my step, baby! I LOVE THIS OLD POST:
I FINALLY GET IT!!!
At every moment, we have God’s love, power, generosity, strength, wisdom, patience, charm, personality, influence, Spirit, angels, warmth, and friendship backing us up. Are you guys getting this???? God is intimately involved in every nanosecond of our lives, just waiting for us to remember that, although invisible, He is there with us. SWEET!!!
It took a conversation with someone early this morning that brought this idea home. I have a way of making some pretty cutting, hurtful, and rude remarks sometimes, and in that conversation, before making one of those awful comments, I held my tongue, looked to God, and asked, ‘What would please You here?’ I felt Him respond through my Spirit, ‘Nik, don’t say that!’ And I didn’t, and instead responded with gentleness, kindness, and love, all for God’s happiness and honor. Love is not rude.
The BIG lesson is that I need us to up our game in doing an even better job of continuously going to God and responding to EVERYONE and EVERYTHING from His perspective. Trust me, like in that conversation today, instead of saying the wrong things, God gave me His tact, charm, genuineness, and charisma to respond from His loving and kind character. And it’s ALWAYS available to us 24/7. GOD IS OUR GREATEST FRIEND.
I so enjoyed talking to a priest recently. We summed up God in three words: GOD IS LOVE. And He is counting on us to reflect that to a watching world. That’s what I believe would please Him greatly. The more beautiful we are, in our words and deeds, the more beautiful God looks. Wink! Wink! NOT EVERYTHING HAS TO BE SAID, EITHER. People should want a relationship with God because of us and not vice versa.
Even with problems, I so want to figure out how I will handle the difficulties of my life, but God is showing me that I don’t have to have everything all figured out. This message showed up on WhatsApp, and I knew I was indeed a message from God to me:
“But God is saying to you…Be still and know that I am your God. I will fight all your battles and give you victory.”
That means relaxing (not in a lazy way!), confident, and having a continuous thought of God being with us and for us, seeking to do what He is asking of us. His constant advice as to what to do, what to say, and where to go, leads us to a life of joy, purpose, peace, success, and victory no matter the challenges – may no darkness weigh us down by the grace of God!
Let me tell ya, His direction hasn’t failed me yet! I LOVE MY LIFE WITH GOD! WILL YOU JOIN US?
“Grant me the grace, O Lord and Saviour, to never allow time to elapse between the desiring and the putting into practice that which You want. Amen.” – The Imitation of Christ
That was my brother, Kevin, to me some months ago, and honestly, I’m giving all the glory to God, who has led me on this extraordinary path. I get to live between the US and Nigeria, truly enjoying the best of both worlds. I then have the honor and privileged of sharing these fabulous adventures with you. My life’s assignment, which I’ve happily accepted from God, is to live my best life with Him, as I, hopefully, inspire you to do the same. Forget Cardi B, y’all, I’m living my best life with God!!!
When I say gorgeous, it doesn’t mean I don’t have my share of challenges, hurts, frustrations, disappointments, losses, and sadness. Believe it or not, though, God uses EVERYTHING, NOTHING IS WASTED BY HIM, to help us learn some pretty fantastic lessons that make us wiser, stronger, bolder, more loving, braver, and most importantly, to bring us closer to Him.
Like 2020, which I now call my year of one million falls. My daughter, Ember, at one point said, “This is looking like your worst year ever.” I said, “No, no, no. This will be my best year because it will bring me closer to God.” I took that statement to heart, realizing that my daughters were both watching me take on some complicated, messy and difficult stuff, and I had to show them how to take on whatever life throws their way, KNOWING God is right there with us.
That mission of getting closer to God was wonderfully accomplished. In every one of those million falls, I would run to God, seeking some little glimmer of His Presence, and He would find some way to let me know He was right there with me. It taught me that my GREATEST STRENGTH was knowing I need God every moment. I must always look to Him for wisdom, guidance, approval, strength, and direction. That I can lean on and be confident in Him! In fact, I felt God go to great lengths to let me know His Presence was always with me.
My favorite one was when my husband sent me a picture from Nigeria from some years ago. I sent Him back a text (feeling in my spirit that God was the one dictating the words):
“Forget the former things! God is doing a new thing! He is taking our family to new and greater heights! HE WILL MAKE A STREAM in the wastelands, a spring in the desert.”
Turns out, that day, there was an urgent errand that needed to happen for our office. Although I could’ve easily delegated it to someone to take care of, I felt God in my spirit saying, ‘Nik, you do it.’ I asked my daughters to accompany me to make it a day together. As we were driving to our office, Ember says, “Mom, look!!!” She pointed to this LONG STREAM of water flowing next to the highway that was not there before. It was like a new river just suddenly appeared! Apparently, all the rain that we were having ended up flooding over next to this major highway. I immediately thought of the text to my husband that very morning. “God is doing a new thing. He will make a stream in the wastelands.”
And let me tell ya, that lined up too perfectly to be some ordinary coincidence! That was God giving me that unbelievable sign so that I remember His promise – Nik, I’m doing a new thing with your family! Just watch me! And that He was with me!!! It was like the rainbow He gave Noah after the flood. Asking me to stick with Him on the high road being my most patient, loyal, and loving self. I remember spending that day with my daughters, so incredibly happy, feeling so loved by God, that His loving Presence was with us, and He loved our family that much to have this large stream of water to flow next to this major US freeway.
That’s just an example of the amazing love I feel from Him. The love where I feel He sings to me, sends people to help and support me, the solutions to problems that will magically pop in my mind as to how to handle complicated situations. Like, ‘Nik, do this.’ I’m talking step-by-step instructions in the most difficult of problems.
With such love and tenderness He shows me, He has asked me this, though:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
As I look back at 2020 in hindsight, I can see clearly now that this was what God was definitely teaching me: TO LOVE OTHERS THE WAY HE LOVES ME. A recent experience, feeling cut off by someone, I go to have an appointment with God, and my meditation book said this:
“It may then well happen that on certain days I count twenty lapses (mistakes), while I couldn’t none on other days. And yet I may have made greater progress on the days when twenty failures occurred than on the days without one.” – Yes, Father
In thinking about this, I can now see that those one million falls last year were all God’s way of helping me make LOTS of spiritual progress. He taught me all about loving others unconditionally, forgiveness, patience, perseverance, loyalty, and staying on the high road with Him. To be this person who kept getting back in the ring to fight, no matter how many times I got knocked down, knowing He was my strength and support.
God’s ways are certainly not our human ways. Humans cut you off and reject you when you are not who they would have you to be. But God’s love is faithful, dependable and He promises to never leave us or forsake us. In my year of one million falls and mistakes, He brought me even closer to Him.
So much so, this was me back in August after spending an entire weekend totally frustrated with myself:
As of yesterday, August 24, 2020, I want to give my life COMPLETELY to God. To wrap myself in His love (no other love necessary!) and go through every moment of my life KNOWING I’m completely loved, approved of, and accepted my God. To be His girl totally, following His leading in every moment of my life as to what He would have me to do – complete surrender! To be the mother, wife, and person He would have me to be. Not trying to get love from others, but just showing up as my most loving self, sharing God’s love with everyone. Like my brother, Kevin, taught me, I want to SHINE BRIGHT. Like if you’re not rolling with God, you’re missing out on the best life! I want everything about me to REFLECT Him:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
I just wanna be His, glorifying and enjoying Him! That means continually keeping my focus on God as I walk through life wrapped up in His arms, sucking up all His love and attention!
Are you with me? Living a life close to God and enjoying Him? No matter how far you feel you are away from God or how awful a place you find yourself, trust me, He is waiting with open arms for you to invite Him in and to be a part of your life, helping you no matter the challenges you face. No matter how long you’ve traveled in the wrong direction, you can always turn around.
God’s an expert in everything! It’s just for us to learn His voice so we know on a moment-by-moment basis what He would have us to say, what he would have us to do, and where He would have us to go. It just takes practice. The practice of pausing and listening to Him in our spirit, to see what He would have us to do in the 1,000 decisions we make every day. Like that conversation with Him about the important errand that needed to happen. When I thought about everyone else going, I didn’t feel peace. But when I thought about going myself, I felt that peace from Him, and me and the girls ended up having such a memorable day together.
Right now, I’m back in Nigeria with my Emmanuels (husband and two sons), and honestly, I’m enjoying them so much. Again, I felt peace about travelling with them. So, my entire life is becoming this beautiful conversation with God, and I’m filled with peace, joy, and love for everyone and everything. Even the bad knowing they’re all there for my good.
Can we all commit to a life of more love? It’s a practice like listening to God and following His lead! The more you practice the better you get at it, and the better your life will become. Love is the way, baby! Extremely hard sometimes, but that’s where God’s strength within us shows up perfectly to assist us. We do it for God. Our reward is with Him, because this is the way He guides us on the paths He has for us. His plans for us are good! He truly has given me more than I can ever ask or expect, but being my most loving self has helped me to get here. God is love. Let us reflect His character everywhere we go, especially in our homes and then spreading out from there! Let’s all say a joyous Yes, Father, committing to a life guided by Him in every moment being the people He would have us to be. Even if we fall a million times, we still know He loves us unconditionally! Amen!
“NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH”
That was me to my siblings in the Bahamas a few minutes ago. My sister formed this WhatsApp group that we call ‘A God Alliance,’ and it truly has been God bringing us together. NO DOUBT! Every day I faithfully post a pic of my completed Nike Running Club run with them. Being the big sister of the group, I thought this was my way of inspiring everyone to be better, NOT KNOWING this was God’s way of HELPING ME. I love you guys!!! Love being the big sister of the group!
Whether I felt like running or not, I did it because, initially, I promised them 30 minutes a day. When the 30 minutes became too challenging to keep up, I still kept running, even if only 5 minutes. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I can see clearly that this was God making your girl here STRONGER – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. His love is too much!!! Loving the results of my 50 days of discipline so much, I upped it to an entire year of discipline, constantly working to tackle my weaknesses.
“For the time being, no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].” – Hebrews 12:11
Another alliance, my fierce babes (daughters), has inspired and motivated me on another level. They showed up to work on Saturday, all dressed in our company’s shirt, ready to rock. The manager said they didn’t stop working the entire day. They kept calling asking me what I needed help with. A video of them pressure cleaning and scrubbing the outside ground, made the super momma so happy.
They’ve inspired me to up my game! I had my son, Emmie, walk around with my husband for two hours yesterday, and by the time we got in the car, he was exhausted. But this is the way to the best life: hard work and excellence, baby! You do well, and people notice, most importantly, God notices (Wink! Wink!). Like I’ve taught my daughters, no one gives you respect; you earn it. God is our ultimate Boss, and He sees everything we do! So, give Him your all, and I promise you, He will give you more than you can ever imagine or expect from Him.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
“NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE PEOPLE YOU SURROUND YOURSELF WITH”
That was me to my siblings in the Bahamas a few minutes ago. My sister formed this WhatsApp group that we call ‘A God Alliance,’ and it truly has been God bringing us together. NO DOUBT! Every day I faithfully post a pic of my completed Nike Running Club run with them. Being the big sister of the group, I thought this was my way of inspiring everyone to be better, NOT KNOWING this was God’s way of HELPING ME. I love you guys!!! Love being the big sister of the group!
Whether I felt like running or not, I did it because, initially, I promised them 30 minutes a day. When the 30 minutes became too challenging to keep up, I still kept running, even if only 5 minutes. I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I can see clearly that this was God making your girl here STRONGER – mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. His love is too much!!! Loving the results of my 50 days of discipline so much, I upped it to an entire year of discipline, constantly working to tackle my weaknesses.
“For the time being, no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].” – Hebrews 12:11
Another alliance, my fierce babes (daughters), has inspired and motivated me on another level. They showed up to work on Saturday, all dressed in our company’s shirt, ready to rock. The manager said they didn’t stop working the entire day. They kept calling asking me what I needed help with. A video of them pressure cleaning and scrubbing the outside ground, made the super momma so happy.
They’ve inspired me to up my game! I had my son, Emmie, walk around with my husband for two hours yesterday, and by the time we got in the car, he was exhausted. But this is the way to the best life: hard work and excellence, baby! You do well, and people notice, most importantly, God notices (Wink! Wink!). Like I’ve taught my daughters, no one gives you respect; you earn it. God is our ultimate Boss, and He sees everything we do! So, give Him your all, and I promise you, He will give you more than you can ever imagine or expect from Him.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
That was my little ten-year-old, spiritual guy, Joshie, calling me to see a pic he took on his phone yesterday. It was a picture of a billboard here in Nigeria with the numbers 11 and 7 together. I’ve written so many times that whenever I see those two numbers together, I say it’s God reminding me that God’s invisible Presence is always there. Joshie explained, “I past this sign every day on my way to school, and I remember that God is with me.” Wow! That made the God maniac momma so happy. My son is feeling God’s Presence with him, too. Sweet!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
I went on to tell him that this same sign was God speaking to me two Sundays ago. My husband had asked me to accompany him to an art gallery, and even though I wanted to try and get out of going, I felt God saying that He wanted me to go. I get there, and right at the entrance was a duplicate of the exact sign that Joshie showed me on his phone. I smiled with God, immediately knowing that this was where He wanted me that day.
“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
I get inside the gallery and immediately started crying. There is a random painting, a replica (a very close likeness) of my family – husband, wife, two older daughters, and two younger sons. Like what are the chances of this lining up so perfectly? I took it as God HIMSELF arranging it all to say that not only my family is important to Him, but all families are.
I got fussed out by a brother yesterday when I called him to say that our families are our important work from God. That we just have to keep our eyes fixed on Him by going the extra mile in love and support of each other. It’s our crucial work in the world for Him, and He is our reward – His love, favor, wisdom, and guidance.
God’s ways are not our human ways, and there’s a lot that He asks us to do for Him. That we love others the way He loves us. His love is unconditional, and He promises never to leave us or forsake us. No matter how many mistakes I make, I still feel such intense love from Him backing me up. He’s forever saying, ‘Nik, I got you!’ no matter the troublesome situations that come. He has asked me to be even kinder to those who have hurt me, and with such love I receive from Him, I can only reply, ‘God, I GOT YOU!’
Can we all be God’s angels in the world? Using evil and all the depressing news stories as fuel and motivation to put as much good as possible out there, starting in our homes and spreading out! God’s superheroes all the way, baby!
