That’s the best advice I can give you guys! No shame in my game; I use all the so-called “bad” stuff in my life as opportunities to seek God! I look for His perspective, His guidance, and His wisdom on what He would have me to do. And let me tell ya, His ways are not our ordinary human ways; they’re so much better!
Like yesterday, I woke up for an appointment with Him reading my book, a compilation of 366 blog posts that I felt He wrote with me as the Co-Author! I turned directly to one entitled, ‘The Best Marriage Advice Ever (For all significant relationships too, by the way),’ with the first point being:
“PATIENCE AND PRAYER – In areas that I’m not 100% happy with in my marriage, I practice patience, and I pray asking God for help. Sometimes, believe it or not, it’s me who God has to change, not my hubby. God gives me the wisdom to look at things from another perspective. Other times it’s my hubby, but I don’t nag him about it. I worry about nothing and pray about everything. PATIENCE AND PRAYER!”
I ended up having such a good laugh with God thinking about how long ago I wrote this post to be STILL struggling with this lesson from Him of patience. So, fast forward to that afternoon, I went running to Him again in a difficult moment, and there was a post on Tumblr.com that I loved:
“Be much in secret prayer. Converse less with man, and more with God.” – Tumblr.com via thesovereignword
I loved it so much I went to this person’s feed to see what else they had to say to me, and there were so many posts that I loved (God is pretty talkative!). But what really blew me away was this one:
“Prayer and Patience go hand in hand (Wink! Wink!).”
That was no coincidence! After God and I had that laugh together in my big book about this prayer and patience thing, for this to show up on that feed that I just happen to go to was God’s fun, cool, and sweet way of revealing a tiny glimmer of His invisible Presence that is ALWAYS with me. He knows more than anyone that I struggle with patience (God, I’m trying!) and that He sees me. That I can be patient with my eyes on the prize knowing my best days are still out ahead of me! Sometimes we have to patiently go through tough paths to get to the best ones! Wink! Wink!
See how He turns my bad into such good? Me running to Him in that awful moment, He revealed His Presence with me. That’s what gives my life such peace knowing that He is with me in my struggles and challenges. HE IS IN THE FIRES OF LIFE WITH US! Are you running to God? Like that other post said, “Be much in secret prayer. Converse less with man, and more with God.” God’s ways are higher than any human’s ways. Start looking to Him for guidance! I love Tumblr and my other meditation books I go running to hear from Him. Then all day, I TRY to pause and listen to what He would have me to do, where He would have me to go, and what He would have me to say OR NOT SAY. Lol! I get it wrong LOTS but I don’t give up! I pick myself up, dust myself off after my slip-ups, and I keep rolling with God, baby! Patient with myself, too!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
“WE’RE NOT LUCKY; WE’RE BLESSED!”
That was me to my sweetie pie daughter, Ember, yesterday when she asked me to wish her luck on a test. “We’re rolling with God! That means His favor, wisdom, and strength follow us wherever we go. We just have to walk in His confidence and boldness, knowing He is with us every step of the way! Just pray and ask Him to be with you!” I further explained.
That’s where I want us all; KNOWING WE HAVE ACCESS TO GOD ON A 24/7 BASIS! We’re never alone! Like I’m so thrilled about a challenge that has come up for me. I see God pushing me out of my comfort zone to tackle some severe weaknesses I have going on. I love how my daughter, Ember, called me out, saying that I have a reputation for being lazy and procrastinating. Like how long I’ve been saying I need to work on my next book! I see my guy Devon Franklin being this Rockstar for God, producing faith-based movies, writing books, and he’s all over the place promoting God. I want to do that, too! BUT I MUST UP MY WORK GAME! And this challenge is God’s way of pushing me to be better. God corrects those He loves! (SMILE) What areas can you improve in? Ask God to help you!
This challenge has also seriously increased my faith in God (HUGE SMILE). He keeps revealing glimmers of His invisible Presence that’s always with me. Last night, I had a document of 107 pages to review. I was like, ‘Seriously, God!’ and I had a fun time laughing with Him about it. That was until He took be to all the numbers lined up together from page one to read 1/107. Of all the numbers to line up together, 11 and 7 showed up when I’ve written so many times that whenever 11 and 7 line up together that’s my little wink from God that His Presence is with me. This lined up too perfectly to be some ordinary coincidence, it was God HIMSELF saying, ‘NIK, I AM WITH YOU!!!’
This gave me such peace and joy knowing that I’m not handling this overwhelming challenge alone, My God is with me. That gives me the peace that surpasses all understanding. I simply go to God on a moment-by-moment basis asking for His guidance. He then directs me through my thoughts, nudges, and cues as to what He would have me to do. He doesn’t give me the next ten steps, though, just one at a time, and I confidently follow His leading. I truly can’t get over His love and intimate involvement with every aspect of my life!
But I don’t want to feel all this good loving from God by myself! Give your heart to Him! Say, ‘God, I want to roll with You on the daily!’ Then start having your alone times with Him to hear what He has to say specifically to you! Like that 1107 showing up was His way of communicating with me because I have learned His voice. He wants that kind of relationship with you, too, where you know His voice and can feel His constant direction. I promise a life of victory, despite the numerous failures and mistakes, knowing God even uses them for our good! He said to me today, “If I love you, that means I love both your strengths and weaknesses.” HIS LOVE IS TOO MUCH!!!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
“THIS COULD EXPLAIN WHY I DON’T HAVE MANY FRIENDS, RIGHT!!”
That was me to my daughter, Ember, last night when she said I brag too much. She heard from someone who was congratulating her on her scholarship to a top university in New York. “Did you tell them?” she asked. “You know your momma loves to brag! I just write about that every day in my posts! (LOL!) But we’re a family rolling with God so we must brag and tell the world of His goodness.” And after just completing a YouTube video of how I’m savoring every moment of my life with Him and how His favor follows me everywhere I go, look what God had to ask me through my meditation book, He and I, waiting for the video to upload:
“Can I be present and not make your cup of blessings overflow? Who is as rich as I? Who could desire your highest good more than I?”
Honestly, that’s how I’m feeling: my cup overflows with blessings! Only a few minutes of talking with Ember made me so happy! She called me out on my laziness and procrastination, and I appreciated the honesty. She said, “You know you have a bad reputation in regards to that!” And that sincere, candid kind of relationship is what I cherish about her and my daughter, Julie. We can call each other out on areas where we can improve. We have this fierce babes’ alliance that God was behind the scenes nudging us to form, and it has brought us so close together. Relationships are sweeter with God’s involvement!
The conversation with Julie yesterday was letting her know how much I’m looking forward to spending the summer with her as my official driver. She’s starting college early for the final year of high school and will also be working part-time, so I have the honor and privilege of teaching her how to drive. “We’ll do Starbucks. We’ll listen to all the Rich Roll podcasts. We’ll have such a sweet time bonding together!” God has blessed me with the best family, y’all. But there I go bragging again!
Emmie has so impressed me with the way he took some recent tests so seriously. Proud momma! After spending two weeks working with his businessman/boss dad over the holiday, my thirteen-year-old son has come up with his own way of making money. I call him, “Mr. Hustle!” He now buys his own internet credit and pizza! Today, I borrowed from him for mangoes, and he said, “No need to pay me back!” I was thrilled because I’ve been trying so hard to teach my kids KINDNESS and LOYALTY. Both are repaid by God Himself! Wink! Wink!
And this boss husband who works so hard for us, I’m doing what God has ordered: “Overwhelm those who work hard for you with love and appreciation!” When he asked what was for our dinner tonight, I quickly told him about the special menu our cook and I discussed yesterday with fresh ingredients from the market. Our cook will prep everything beforehand, and actually cook it when he gets home so he can have it hot and freshly prepared. God, how about that for overwhelming with appreciation!
And for You, God, I want to overwhelm You with my love and appreciation, too, for all the love and attention you show me by upping my game in finding new ways to make You happier. I’ve given Him the front row seat of my life!
I can’t get over how yesterday He pushed me in my spirit to go back to my completed post and include these specific words: “Our God Is Faithful.” I said, “No problem! You’re the Boss!” Minutes later, I go to Facebook to share it with all my groups there, and Facebook immediately prompts me to ask if I wanted to join a new group, of all names: “Our God Is Faithful (Wink! Wink!).” That was God reminded me that I can count on Him and that He won’t let me down. That goes for you, too! Let’s keep committing ourselves to an even closer walk with God, seeking Him in every moment of our lives, making Him happier!
That was my daughter, Julie, having some fun with me after I thanked her for this old post that greatly encouraged me yesterday:
“This life is too hard to do it on our own!!! I was so happy when Julie and I spoke about having courage, and at that point, she became my teacher. She said something like, “IT’S JUST ABOUT LIVING LIFE KNOWING YOU HAVE GOD’S PRESENCE CONTINUALLY WITH YOU PROTECTING YOU, GUIDING YOU, AND HELPING YOU. THAT YOU’RE NEVER ALONE.”
I’m the God maniac here, but my seventeen-year-old is the one teaching me about having more FAITH in God! But honestly, today I woke up with such strong confidence in Him doing exactly what Julie taught me: “IT’S JUST ABOUT LIVING LIFE KNOWING YOU HAVE GOD’S PRESENCE CONTINUALLY WITH YOU PROTECTING YOU, GUIDING YOU, AND HELPING YOU. THAT YOU’RE NEVER ALONE.”
So, even with all the heavy burdens that are trying to overwhelm me at the moment, I’m politely giving the heavier parts over to God to handle in the spiritual realm, while I do my best in the physical realm with the lighter stuff. Our God is faithful! I follow His nudges, cues, and solutions that magically pop to mind as the direction to take, and I confidently leave the rest with Him. This is His invitation to all of us:
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30, New Century Version
That’s my testimony! Even though the problems are trying to overwhelm me right now, I’m sticking with God! The wisdom, support, and favor from Him have guided my life on an excellent path. He is my Partner, Protector, Healer, Guide, Friend, Strategist, Counselor, Teacher, Helper, and EXTREMELY LOVING FATHER. I give every moment my best by continually seeking Him and what he would have me to do.
I love how His ways are not the world’s ways; they’re so much better! Once I put His perspective on everything, I’m good, but boy oh boy, without Him, I’m INSANE. Like I was teaching my daughter, Ember, something crucial about relationships. She was a little bit hurt and disappointed by her dad, and I said, “I want you to overwhelm him with love and appreciation. He has gone way beyond what any other father would have done for you! You can’t look at a small thing and get upset. Look at the big picture!”
As I spoke to her, I was talking to myself! God has changed my thinking from looking at my husband’s faults and failings to one of, ‘Wow! I’m so blessed to have this awesome man as my husband.” He came home last night from work to cook for us! When I told him today that I just want to make my husband happy, he said, “And I just want to make my wife happy!” I’ve learned to overlook by pretending I don’t see what I see and I don’t hear what I hear, and instead focus on the positives ((he does the same for me!), WITH THE HOPE THAT OUR BEST DAYS ARE STILL OUT AHEAD OF US. Amen! That goes for all our significant relationships!
DON’T MISS OUT! Get God involved in every aspect of your life by making time to have appointments and alone times with Him READING OR LISTENING TO ANYTHING SPIRITUAL OR UPLIFTING. Trust me, not one moment with God is ever wasted!!! We need Him! This life is too hard to do on our own!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
***
HEALTH MATTERS
DAY 120 OF 365 DAYS OF DISCIPLINE!
DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY…
God is working on me to up my discipline game by focusing more and becoming less distracted. I love some motivation from Julie’s bedroom:
▪ “Love the life you live and live the life you love” – Bob Marley
▪ One day you life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.
▪ If you don’t like the road you’re walking on, pave a new one.
▪ Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.
I questioned my daughters yesterday after they called, asking if they could go for a run in a nearby park. I wasn’t expecting this response (I paraphrase here): “Mom, you were the one who kept saying, “Let’s do hard things!” You’re so brave. You’re fearless! We see you running through bushes, over snakes, doing challenging things. We’re following you.” Wow! And that confirmed my change of perspective on this rough year!
Earlier that day, I felt God speaking to me through a “Suckcess Run” with Coach Bennet of the Nike Running Club. He talked about perspectives and how we can look at our failures from a different angle. So, here I’ve been thinking what a mess up I’ve been this year of what felt like a million falls, and thanks to Coach Bennet, I flipped it, feeling God had this to say, ‘Wow, Nik, you did some hard things for Me. You’re my little superhero. You might have fallen, but you were resilient, you kept getting back up. And you kept focused on building a closer relationship with Me. Great job! We have a lot to celebrate here!”
Then hearing my daughters remind me that they were watching their momma take on this challenging year was the icing on the cake. Not only did they see me, but I also shared with you guys how God would show up in every one of those falls to let me know He was with me.
And that’s the best perspective change ever. Knowing God is with you in the good times and the hard times. He has your back no matter how many times you fall and fail, and He loves you unconditionally no matter how many times you mess up. This year also importantly taught me that this is what He expects us to do for others – love unconditionally.
I love how God uses my husband to teach me all these love lessons to pass on to you guys. I told him today that all I know and all I need to know is that he is the best husband in the world. We may have our dark nights, but we rise up again with the hope that our best days are still ahead of us. We remain loyal to each other no matter what we go through. In fact, these difficult times seem to bring us even closer together. Go figure! Like we can go through the toughest times, survive, and recommit to getting even better TOGETHER! God’s ways are not our ordinary human ways; they’re so much better!
Are you getting CLOSER to Him? Say this prayer with me, ‘God, I want a closer walk with You.’ Then start having alone times seeking Him and asking Him to be a part of the 1,000 decisions you make every day, seeking to make Him happy. I promise you, the best life is close to God!!!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
***
YOUTUBE VIDEO OF THE DAY
GOD TURNS MY BAD INTO SUCH GOOD
https://youtu.be/koU3tmcAGW8
LIVE IN GOD, LIVE IN LOVE
***
HEALTH MATTERS
DAY 119 OF 365 DAYS OF DISCIPLINE!
DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY…
I’m seeing my Rockstar for God, Devon Franklin, a lot lately and I’m reminding myself that I’m His Rockstar, too! Just need to up my discipline game up so that I can be about sharing this great message with the world that we’re rolling with a God who is with us! May we all live passionate lives making Papa God proud! Amen!
“LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE AND MEDICINE THY FOOD”
“AIN’T WORRIED ABOUT NOTHING, MAN!”
God has this way of turning all my bad into such good! Like 2020 was looking like my worst year until I said I’m going to flip the script and turn it into my best year by using it as an opportunity to get closer to God. That plan was a huge success! I’m His girl now, first and foremost, and I’m going to Him more than ever, seeking His perspective on every situation, every circumstance, every conversation, every thought, and every action seeking to please and glorify Him (NOT ALWAYS EASY, BUT I KEEP AT IT!).
I refer to 2020 as the year of a million falls, but with every one of those falls, I went running to God like a little cry baby, and HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR ME. He would figure out some way for me to pick up some tiny glimmer of His invisible Presence with me. That meant lots of running to my meditation books and werollwithgod.com begging to hear from Him. He would always lovingly appear. It could just be one word, but I’ll know it was Him, like in this old post:
“I’m acquiring the beautiful habit of always being with God, and I’m enjoying Him. Yesterday, we had a situation with a vehicle that was “SWERVING” to the right when you drive it. After test driving it for myself, we called a shop to take it to for repairs. Right after talking to the shop, another issue came up with a customer who purchased a vehicle from us last week and the bank that’s financing her. I thought, ‘God, what is this?’ and I rushed to read my meditation book to hear from Him. This verse showed up:
“Let us hold UNSWERVINGLY (WINK! WINK!) to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23
_Did you catch that God wink? The vehicle was SWERVING, and the verse said let us hold UNSWERVINGLY (meaning not changing or becoming weaker; steady or constant) to the hope we profess. Call me crazy, but that was God’s way of having some fun with me and His way of letting me know everyt_hing would be fine with that customer and the bank. And it was. Our God is faithful!”
So, I want you here with me, coming closer and closer to God. It’s a prayer I said over thirteen years ago, asking God for a closer walk with Him, and He hasn’t disappointed me. He gives me so much more than I can ever ask or expect. Challenges come up, and He is right there to stand with me as if asking, ‘Who is messing with my Nik!’ I know without a doubt that He is the one fighting for me and MAKING MY DREAMS COME TRUE! Can’t beat that! MY HOPE REMAINS IN GOD!
Will you say this prayer with me, ‘God, I want a closer walk with You?’ and then start paying attention to glimmers of His Presence that can show up virtually anywhere and His nudges and cues in your spirit as to what He would have you to do. It’s a practical experience of learning His voice. Please check out our family’s website werollwithgod.com to learn all about rolling with God on the daily!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
***
HEALTH MATTERS
DAY 118 OF 365 DAYS OF DISCIPLINE!
DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY…
RUN TO GOD! Whenever you feel stressed, frustrated, sad, or out of sorts, PRAY and ask for His perspective on the situation. He’s an expert in everything! Love me some discipline that taking me closer to God! Heehaw!
“LET FOOD BE THY MEDICINE AND MEDICINE THY FOOD”
GOD IS SO COOL AND DOWN TO EARTH
I’m a pretty tough momma, so whenever my kids complain to me about feeling pain somewhere, I simply respond, “Pain is a part of life, sweetie! Get over it.” So, today, with the pain I’m feeling in my knee from my running up and down the stairs of our house, I kept going. Professional athlete style, baby! No pain is going to hold us back! Yesterday, my phone pulled up a photo memory of a year ago when I took a picture of the T-shirt of someone I randomly bumped into at the store that said, “There is no end to the pain. You must be numb.” When we both met again at the ice-cream section looking for the same brand and flavor ice cream, I knew it was a message from God to me regarding some emotional pain and hurts I was feeling. God is pretty talkative!
So this morning, in venting to God AGAIN about this same pain (He keeps telling me to vent anything to Him, but to others, I should be silent!), I felt Him having some fun with me in my spirit, mockingly and funnily like I repeat to my kids, ‘Pain is a part of life, sweetie! Get over it. There is no end to the pain. You must be numb.’ God, very funny!
That’s the sweet and cool side of God I’ve come to know and love. He meets us exactly where we are and gives us His perspectives on handling difficult and awkward situations. I’m talking in every aspect of our lives, He is a total expert. That’s why I love these runs where I get to vent, strategize and focus, getting God’s wisdom on how to deal with matters that I need His assistance with wrapping my head around.
His advice never fails! Whenever I look back, I see that His ways are always best. In fact, better than best because He always exceeds my expectations. I’m sticking with my brother Kevin’s advice, “Neeks, I want you to work on being wise.” For me, that means going to God and continually asking,
“Jesus (God), what is your perspective on every moment of my life? Every relationship. Every decision. Every circumstance. And how can I enter into it to glorify you.” – Dr. Drew Sams (Bel Air Church)
NOT ALWAYS EASY! BUT ALWAYS BEST! Start pausing and inviting God to be a part of every moment of your life and every move you make, seeking to please, honor, and glorify Him. Not letting the disappointments, challenges and setbacks discourage us but keeping our eyes fixed on God who can guide and navigate us safely through any troubled waters. Off to go between watching Netflix with hubs and studying with my super intelligent and wise son, Emmie. Doing everything for the glory of God! Amen!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
***
HEALTH MATTERS
DAY 115 OF 365 DAYS OF DISCIPLINE!
DISCIPLINE IS THE WAY…
I can’t stop thanking some of my siblings who are a part of a group we call ‘A GOD ALLIANCE’ with me. Never underestimate the value and influence of the people you have in your life. This group gets me to the starting line of a run every day where I can vent to God, get His incredible perspective and wisdom on my life, and leave every run better than I started. Just so I can have a pic to share with them that I completed a run from my Nike Running Club app. THANK YOU, MY PEEPS!!! You’re helping to make your sister better! Forever grateful for our alliance! May we all do BIG things for the glory of God!
