Honestly, God has been EXCEEDING my expectations in every aspect of my life. Not everything is perfect, but I keep striving for perfection, knowing that God is my GREATEST FRIEND, HELPER, STRATEGIST, ADVISOR, COUNSELOR, PROTECTOR, AND TEACHER.
He made that clearer to me last year when he had you come to my rescue with such genuine love, loyalty, and lighthearted yet wise advice that helped me through the worst year of my life. Today, your words are what keep me going and striving to be the best me possible:
– Be on chill (not taking anything too seriously) for life.
– God will level out the mountains. Leave the battles with Him.
– Don’t try to be God, be God’s angel.
– You’re going to have to be patient right now.
– Don’t force anyone to do anything they don’t want to do.
– Marriage is like a team. When one spouse is weak, the other has to take over being strong and vice versa.
– The good, the bad are all a part of God’s divine plan. Even the ants gathering crumbs to take to their nest to feed the baby ants in a world of superjumbo jets.
– You are your own worst enemy!!!
– Don’t call me again (to complain). Only contact me to tell me what a gorgeous life you have.
– I want you to work on being wise.
– SHINE BRIGHT! Let people look at you and say, “Where did this woman get all this strength from.”
I’ve even upped the shine bright to SHINE BRIGHTER, all for God’s glory! Most importantly, our conversations last year have brought me closer to God. Even coaches need coaches! My discussions are mostly in Heaven talking to God Himself. Even yesterday, speaking to our manager in the US, he has seen how my decisions are paying off. He questioned me, and we fought so many times, but now he sees clearly that it has been God advising me. I’m using it as an opportunity to tell him not to play around with his relationship with God. They even woke me up in my sleep to say they were selling a car (The LORD will bless you even while you sleep, baby!) God is very real and intimately involved in our lives!
Today, Julie is attending a meeting about getting early admissions into college while she is still a high school student. Ember went out to work one day, and the manager is asking for her and Julie to come more often. I’m extra in love with my Emmanuels (hubby and two sons). We all left work late last night, and I was so happy that they’re getting to see firsthand their dad’s hard work in action. I’m training them, along with my nephew, Duro, to be future Kings, by the grace of God. I’m not their friend right now, like you said, but eventually, they will see that I was a friend.
I’m enjoying my gorgeous life on a new level, thanks to you, my K. I’m begging you, please don’t hold back your gift from the world. We need you. Those two-minute voice notes, can we PLEASE start there a few times a week? It would be my honor and privilege to incorporate them into my blog to share them with the world. Let’s continue to make Papa God proud!!!
Your baby sister and biggest fan.
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
‘GOD, WHO ARE WE THAT YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT US?’
That was me crying and asking God at an art gallery yesterday. My husband asked me to go with him to support a customer and friend, and although I love spending my Sundays at home, with one glance at God, I knew what He would have me to do: Nikki, you’re to go with your husband! Who am I to argue with God?
But we get there, and one of the first pieces I saw just got your girl crying. It was an exact depiction of my family: a husband, a wife, two younger sons, and two older daughters. Even one of the girls was extra tall, like my daughter, Julie. Say what? How does a painted representation of my family show up in an art gallery? It was an crucial message from God to us: OUR FAMILY IS IMPORTANT TO HIM AND THAT HE WANTS US TOGETHER!!! God is pretty talkative once you get to know Him! This lined up too perfectly to be some ordinary coincidence! This was also God showing us His deep love and His intimate involvement in our lives.
Yesterday, I OVERWHELMINGLY felt to share some great advice from my brother Kevin, “Don’t try to be God, be God’s angel.” And God confirmed that was Him nudging me in an appointment I had with Him reading Rick Warren’s book, A Purpose Driven Life, today:
“We aren’t God and never will be. We are humans. IT IS WHEN WE TRY TO BE GOD (Wink! Wink!) that we end up most like Satan, who desired the same thing.”
Then, another message I got from Kevin when I told him that I will force my husband to come to the US for the Christmas holiday. Kevin immediately said, “Don’t force anyone to do anything that they don’t want to do.” I listened, and I left the battle with God. Hubby ended up coming and we had a fantastic time with everyone together. Rick Warren put it like this:
“You know you’re surrendered to God when you rely on God to work things out instead of trying to manipulate others, force your agenda, and control the situation. You let go and let God work. You don’t have to always be “in charge.” The Bible says, “Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” Instead of trying harder, you trust more. You also know you’re surrendered when you don’t react to criticism and rush to defend yourself. Surrendered hearts show up best in relationships. You don’t edge others out, you don’t demand your rights, and you aren’t self-serving when you’re surrendered.”
Let me tell ya, this surrendered life of allowing God to be God and me being His angel has given me such peace. Just how that painting showed up at that gallery, I trust that God is behind the scenes working on my behalf in the spiritual realm. You can trust Him, too! Our job is to show up every day, listening to Him and to what He would have us to do, and leave the rest with Him. Just be His angel! Wink! Wink!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
“DON’T TRY TO BE GOD, BE GOD’S ANGEL”
Are the words from my brother, Kevin, that I can’t seem to get out of my head this beautiful Sunday. This is where I believe God is calling us all – to be His angels in the world. God, I’m in! That means not being so hard on myself or on others. To see the good, their innocence, and what people are capable of becoming. Not on the past failures, fallings, and mistakes. To forgive endlessly with the hope that better days are ahead, by God’s grace. To be kinder and gentler with our words (holding some back when necessary) and focused on building others up, not tearing them down.
I loved my exercise today running with the Bowerman Track Club (BTC). They are a group of Olympian athletes who train together. They said they’re there for each other on the good days and the days when they just need someone to hold their hand to make it through. Another reason why I’m so grateful and loyal to Kevin, he was there to hold my hand to help me through some tough days, and at the same time he left me with some powerful wisdom to take with me through the rest of my life. Like this message of being God’s angel and PATIENCE.
I played the message Kevin sent me on Whatsapp to my sons and hubby today. I want the boys to learn this lesson of family and being united to help each other. To be a team like the BTC helping to make each other better and just being there to support and help each other through difficult times.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. For if one falls down, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to help him up!”
The BTC also talked about embracing our weaknesses. I can always do with that reminder. I’m still working on being more focused, disciplined, and less procrastinating (a form of laziness is how Devon Franklin puts it!).
The Call to Endurance:
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”
“I ACCEPT THE FACT THAT NOT EVERYONE CAN HANDLE THE NICKSTER…
… 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, but I wasn’t expecting this response in one of his morning voice Whatsapp notes:
“And you do it for me every day, so don’t worry about it, Nikki. It’s a trade-off. It’s call family. You know. That’s what it’s about. Trust me, you don’t owe me anything, and I don’t owe you anything. Whatever I did for you last year, that’s why I’m your older brother. That’s why you’re my baby sister. Please don’t get me in the talking mood yet. Let me wake up, I tell you. Listen, I’m gonna block you, you know! (HUGE SMILE).”
It’s another testimony to the greatness of God! I needed help last year, and he sent me Kevin. Even coaches need coaches. I would call him in my worst moments, and he was always there to give me solid and wise advice. Like telling me, I would have to be patient right now. To not try to be God, but to be God’s angel. Not to be in front of God, but to be behind God, letting God lead me. That I’m not to worry about the future; God will level everything out.
And having people like Kevin in life is what makes life sweeter. I’m not talking about superficial, fake relationships. I’m talking 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:
“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!!! Have your appointments with Him reading or listening to anything spiritual. I highly recommend our family’s website:
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
“I LIKE YOU, GIRL, IN PARTICULA”
Call me crazy, but I felt this was God singing to me through the song ‘Particular,’ by Major Lazer running up and down the stairs of our house in Nigeria this morning. The love and attention I’ve been feeling from Him has just been indescribable. Like He is intimately involved in every single moment of my life guiding and directing me.
Like this morning, I was in another room having an appointment with Him and I felt Him say, go and spend some time with your husband. When my husband told me a story about how a delay ended up having meet someone at the perfect time, it just got me crying. Wow, God! YOU ARE INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN OUR LIVES!!!!
Then I can’t get over how I was talking to my daughter, Julie, saying that I feel she should take all college-level classes at a nearby college for her last year of high school after meeting a young lady for only a few minutes who told me that’s what she was doing for her senior year of high school. The next day I felt God STRONGLY in my spirit saying that should send an email regarding it, only to be told that the meeting to be a part of the program was only a week away. How is it that God would have me to meet this young lady a year and a half ago for two minutes, then have me to discuss it with my daughter from Nigeria, only to find out that the meeting about it, all the way in the US, to be one week away was all HIM. I’m telling you, INTIMATELY involved in our lives!!!
Then, in regards to our business in the US, I feel Him nudging me as to the best decisions. So much so that I I’m bragging to my husband who always feel that he is the only one who knows how to do business. “Me and God are showing you, hon, your wife got this!” I tease hubs now. Those who look to God will not starve!
Even my nephew, Duro, is blown away by the way things are coming together. I always remind him of the time when he asked me something like, ‘Aunty, how do you plan to get this business going again? You don’t have much you’re working with.” I told him about an appointment with God where God said even if I felt good for nothing, I should give him my nothingness. Didn’t He create the world from nothing? Nothing is impossible for God! Everything is coming beautifully together – the people to help us, customers, banks to finance them, great inventory. Our help comes from the LORD, baby!
It was a good opportunity to remind Duro of the importance of his appointments with God. He is seeing the business that he thought was dead, slowly coming back to life, all by the grace of God. Honestly, God is once again EXCEEDING my expectations! Like He really is singing to me, ‘Girl, I like you in particula!’ Wink! Wink! Don’t miss out on the best life with God!
That’s how I’m feeling about the life of a great friend, Sir Lucky Omoluwa. God wanted his angel back precisely one year ago today. For me, he was just the perfect example of someone who lived life in partnership with God. His conversations were in Heaven with God Himself, let me tell you. He accomplished some extraordinary feats as a top Nigerian businessman. Still, his legacy of LOVE, LOYALTY, AND CLOSENESS TO GOD is what I want to carry on with me. These verses sum up his life:
“Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people. Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” – Proverbs 3:3-6 MSG
One of the last conversations I had with him was about my sons having an open invitation to his home. I had left Nigeria to be with my daughters in the US. I was only visiting Nigeria when I had this very brief conversation with him. Here is this fierce and successful businessman taking time to talk to me and let me know my little sons were welcomed over to his home anytime. And he said it with such genuine love that I will never forget it.
And that love and loyalty are where I believe Papa God wants us all. Seeing Lucky have friendships that lasted over 30 years inspired me greatly. All the LOVE lessons God has been teaching me, he wants us applying them to all our significant relationships – going overboard in love, kindness, and loyalty, LUCKY OMOLUWA STYLE. These values are repaid by God Himself!!! His love and favor will follow us wherever we go. Wink! Wink!
We’re not the human race, we’re the human family! Let’s bring back LOVE, LOYALTY, and CLOSENESS TO GOD!!! Heehaw!!! REST IN PEACE, OUR GREAT FRIEND!!!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
I LOVED THIS WINK FROM GOD!
After my daughter’s harsh criticism that it looks like I’ve abandoned my sons, your girl here is FOCUSED, baby. We were at our office to study yesterday but realized that some of the books they needed were home. I quickly called their dad and said, “The boys’ books for studying aren’t here, so we’re leaving you.” Joshie quickly corrected me after I had hung up, “Why did you tell daddy I don’t have my books. I have my books! I DON’T WANT TO MESS UP MY REPUTATION WITH DADDY.” Say what?!? What kind of a ten-year-old is worried about his reputation? Apparently, my son Joshie!
The God wink was that I had just read this in a message from Joel Osteen in his daily devotional email:
“Your reputation is one of the most valuable things you have (Wink! Wink). You can have riches and yet be despised, looked down on, and seen as shady. But when you’re a person of integrity, other people say, I can trust them. They always do the right thing. They’re honest, fair, and consistent. They don’t talk one way and live another way. Your name is too important to let it become tarnished by not having integrity. A life of integrity will take you much further than being dishonest and manipulating.”
I asked Joshie to read the email for an appointment with God, and it just so happened that hubby and I were discussing something, and I said, “Let’s get our future CEO’s involved in this discussion. I said, “Joshie, share with daddy what you just read in that email. He incredibly replied, “I learned that having a good reputation is better than all the riches in the world.” Wow!
And honestly, I so agree!!! I remember as a child telling lots of lies until I finally realized it was too difficult to keep track of them because you have to keep remembering what you had said before. I had had enough and made a decision to be as honest as possible at all times. That decision has really led my life on a beautiful path. Not that I’m perfect, but just the people who I have the pleasure and honor of calling close friends and family are PRICELESS (more than all the money in the world!).
Most importantly, to be considered a close friend of God is what I want us all shooting for. He said He wants me closer, walking through life HEART TO HEART with Him. Doing this takes a lot of obedience to God and following His lead and direction in every decision I make. This obedience pays off well, let me tell ya, as this is how He guides us on the best path with His help, wisdom, favor, protection, love, and strength backing us up in the crazy world. WE NEED HIM!!!
It’s our choice, though! We can go away from God by not being the people He is calling us to be, or we can listen to Him and take the path He directs us on. I highly recommend following God. That’s where our appointments with Him come in so that we crucially learn His character and the people He would like us to be. “Ask the Father to give you many more opportunities of pleasing Him (He and I).” I promise you, this is the way to the life where God exceeds your expectations! Wink! Wink! Can we say this prayer together, “God, I want to walk heart to heart with You. Help me to be the person You would have me to be. Amen.”
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
GOD SHOWS UP FOR ME AND HUBBY ON VALENTINE’S DAY!!!
I had a lot going on between cooking, cleaning, studying with my sons, and wanting to do a quick run up and down our stairs. Just as I started the jog, hubs wanted to talk with me while he ate breakfast. I really wanted to continue my exercise, but with one glimpse at God, I knew what He would have me to do, ‘Nik, go and be with your husband.’ We talked about a specific Mercedes model, and like five minutes later, to get my sons to go and study independently without me, I gave them my phone as their personal hotspots. Instead of studying, though, they started playing music! Unbelievably, the very song they went to play, one that wasn’t even in my library, mentioned the very Mercedes hubby and I were discussing. When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it, so I ran to get the phone, and I looked at the lyrics, and incredibly it was the EXACT car to a tee that we were JUST discussing.
There was no way this was some ordinary, random coincidence! It was too perfect an alignment! Of all songs in the world for my sons to play, for them to pick that one with the particular car model we were discussing minutes prior, was all orchestrated by God HIMSELF. HE IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING AND EVERYONE! Wink! Wink! This was His way of letting us know that His invisible Presence was with us. On Valentine’s day of all days, He comes through to show His deep love for our family. Woohoo!!!
And these glimpses of His Presence are what give me the confidence to face my life bravely, courageously, boldly, lovingly, joyfully, and filled with such hope and optimism about the future.
To be very honest with you guys, I was so upset at my husband, but I wasn’t telling him how I was feeling. God has been teaching me to say everything to Him, but to others I should learn to be silent. But God showing up like that with such love for my family and me was my reminder to stay on the high road with Him. Honestly, God exceeds my expectations in every aspect of my life, and I try my best to honor Him with everything I do – NOT ALWAYS EASY. Especially when I want to turn into the crazy lady! But again, one look at God, I knew He would have me to be the best wife, mom, and person, loving extravagantly and forgiving endlessly. Who am I to withhold forgiveness from anyone when I mess up constantly? More loving, less judging!
Today I was back being the loyal wife married to the best husband in the world. Like my brother Kevin taught me, ‘Either you’re in or you’re out. If you’re in, make up your mind to be happy!’ K, I’m all about enjoying my gorgeous life with God who NEVER disappoints! Let’s all be patient and make allowances for the weaknesses of others AND OURSELVES. The battles belong to the LORD! Wink! Wink!
