That was me looking to Him as to how to respond to a question my husband had asked. Trust me, I had LOTS to say, but with one glimpse in God’s direction, I knew He would have me to hold back those words and be kind. Nik, say anything you want to me, but to others, practice silence.
This morning, when I asked Him about it again, like God, why can’t I address this issue, I feel He had this to say:
“DO NOT EXPECT to be treated fairly in this life. People will say and hurtful things to you don’t deserve. When someone mistreats you, try to view it as an opportunity to grow in grace. See how quickly you can forgive the one who has wounded you. DON’T BE CONCERNED ABOUT SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT. Instead of obsessing about other people’s opinions of you, KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON ME. Ultimately, it is my view of you that counts…
When others treat you unfairly, remember that My ways with you are much better than fair. My ways are Peace and Love, which I have poured out into your heart by My Spirit.” – Jesus Calling
And this husband who EXCEEDS my expectations deserves all the love, respect, and kindness from me. I told him this morning, “This was why God told me, “MARRY HIM!!!” when we first met. When I say God gives me more than I can imagine or expect, my husband is a prime example. Like I always say, “We ain’t perfect, but we’re damn close!”
Hubby is the one teaching me how to love, and God has asked me to share these love (sometimes very messy) lessons with you guys. God is love. Point. Blank. Period. And we should be about enacting His love in the world. So, when God told me to SHHHH, be kind, Nik, I knew right away that this was the loving, high road, and best way to go. Nobody’s perfect! I want us to reflect the God is love character in all our relationships!!! KK?!? Where God is, there is peace, joy and love. Let’s stay in His Presence.
I have lots of work with a big ball I have in the air now, but even with that, I KNOW GOD HAS MY BACK. I’m sticking with this verse:
“These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, you have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Those were the words from my little ten-year-old spiritual son, Joshie, that I’m sticking with, baby! Yes, some things don’t always work out the way we plan or hope for, but it’s still a great life. Like my brother, Kevin, put it the other day, we’re here for a half a minute, and then we’re gone. I want us sucking up, savoring, and enjoying every moment KNOWING that we’re never alone, God’s invisible Presence is always with us, helping us deal with anything that comes our way. Heehaw!!!
And He shows me such tender love. Like yesterday I spent the day beating myself up because I’ve not been the person I strive to be. What is wrong with you, Nikki!!! Chatting with one of my sisters late last night, we both complained of being on these emotional roller coasters, and I said to her that it’s all apart of the human journey and that we should lighten up, laugh at ourselves more often and not take life so seriously. We both agreed to keep focusing on essential goals and becoming the best versions of ourselves. “Everything is perfect. God has a reason for everything,” I wrote to her.
Then, I go to bed, and of all podcasts on iTunes that I could have listened to, God found the perfect one for me. It was Dr. Wayne Dyer podcast with him helping a lady who was complaining about some frustrations from a divorce, who faced one challenge after another:
“When things are not going well in our lives, we have a tendency to want them to be different from the way they are. But things are the way they are because they’re supposed to be the way they are because there is something bigger than all of us and our personalities handling all of this. The trees that don’t ever complain about the moss growing on them, even though it’s discoloring them, and so on. It’s just this allowing and this acceptance of the universe the way it is.
And I think one of the hardest lessons is to reach a state of inspiration. You talked about being in spirit and looking for inspiration, it is to figure out a way to be in a state of gratitude for the things that our minds are telling us shouldn’t be happening…so filled with anger towards whatever the universe is doing to us instead of being grateful for it because ultimately you know that as you look back on your life the things that while you were going through them that seemed so awful and difficult years ago, now from a new point of looking at them, with more clarity and seeing them more clearly now, you realize that you had to go through them to get to the other side.
And being in that continuous state of gratitude, even for the really really really hard things it’s like to get down on our knees and be thankful not just when things are going right and when everybody smells good, and the money comes in, and so on but to be in that state of gratitude for…everything coming at you is just part of the perfection of what your curriculum is. That is called your life… It’s all perfect (Wink! Wink!).”
That “It’s all perfect” showing up shortly after that conversation with my sister telling her that everything is perfect, was another one of my God winks, where everything lines up a little bit too perfect to be some ordinary coincidence. It was God most tenderly helping me to change my mindset from one of constant judgment, worry, and frustration to one of continual gratitude for everything.
I can really look back and see clearly now that everything that had me upset, anxious, and angry in the past, were the very things that had me running to God every minute for an appointment with Him. And those alone times were where God just would figure out the sweetest ways to let me know that His invisible Presence is always with me. Wow, the pain, problems, disappointments all threw me directly into the arms of God! Thank you, problems, and pain!!! I woke up today so happy with this new mindset of gratitude instead of frustration. We can truly count it all joy! Life is a celebration with God, my Joshie! We can bravely, courageously, manly, yet LOVINGLY take on anything with Him as our Life Partner and Guide. The sweet life with God continues! This time, much happier, thanking God for everything that has led me to a life close to Him (HUGE SMILE).
That was me to my daughter, Ember, a short while ago. I wanted to call her from Nigeria, but thought to myself that I didn’t want to wake her up in the US, and unbelievably, within one minute, my sweetie daughter called. She is a big part of the reason that I’m keeping my eyes on the PRIZE – God’s blessings, love, and favor over my life. Let me tell ya, GOD EXCEEDS MY EXPECTATIONS. Even right after talking to Ember, my husband invited me to share his brunch with him in his office. I first declined, but then when he put it that it would be nice to enjoy a meal with his wife, I couldn’t say no. It was such good food that I ate every little bit of it! God, You’ve AGAIN blessed me with more than I can ever ask or pray for. To be back in Nigeria (COVID FREE!!!) with hubby and my sons, I’m feeling EXTREMELY GRATEFUL – everyone is safe, healthy, and happy. ALL GLORY GOES TO GOD!
So much so, I have to continue these posts telling you guys the GREAT NEWS about God, DESPITE EVERYTHING I HAVE GOING ON. But I’m learning that even the difficulties, challenges, problems, and stresses are from the hands of a loving God who knows what we need to help us become the best versions of ourselves. I was so excited that my nephew, Duro, told me about this appointment with God he had WITHOUT me from our meditation book, Jesus Calling:
“BE PREPARED TO SUFFER FOR ME, in My Name. All suffering has meaning in My kingdom. Pain and problems are opportunities to demonstrate your trust in Me. Bearing your circumstances bravely—even thanking Me for them—is one of the highest forms of praise. This sacrifice of thanksgiving rings golden-toned bells of Joy throughout heavenly realms. On earth also, your patient suffering sends out ripples of good tidings in ever-widening circles.
When suffering strikes, remember that I am sovereign and that I can bring good out of everything. Do not try to run from pain or hide from problems. Instead, accept adversity in My Name, offering it up for my purposes. Thus your suffering gains meaning and draws you closer to Me. Joy emerges from the ashes of adversity through your trust and thankfulness.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. – James 1:2-4
It was such a joy getting on my knees to pray with family last night with Joshie saying, “God, thank You.” I’m thanking God for the good, bad, and ugly because everything helps draw me so close to Him. I also loved an appointment with God on Tumblr.com reading these posts
“Thank You for the pain, it made me raise my game.”
“Just because things could’ve been different, it doesn’t mean they’d be better.” (Give thanks in everything!)
“Don’t sell the sun to buy a candle.” For me, the sun is a strong relationship with God that we sell distracted by other things, plans, pursuits and people (ME INCLUDED!). Let’s all commit our lives to a closer walk with God, doing His will. Have your appointments/alone times reading or listening to anything spiritual that connects you with Him. I promise you, THE BEST LIFE IS ONE LIVED CLOSE TO GOD filled with peace and joy where He personally directs You with His wisdom, love, and strength! “Don’t sell the sun to buy a candle.” Wink! Wink!
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
GUESS WHO IS BACK RUNNING?
Me, baby! Can’t let a little cold get me down! And I had the best time with my Nike Running Club’s Coach Cory jogging up and down the stairs of our home in Nigeria. He kept reminding me that I was powerful and strong. Yes!!! I have a big project I need to complete, and most importantly theses runs are the way I start my day KNOWING that God’s invisible Presence is always with me. Instead of thinking worst-case scenario, I think best-case: If my God is with me, who can be against me! I love this old post:
GOD, YOU KNOW EVERY THOUGHT I THINK
That was me freaking out over God, as usual. I strangely wasn’t having the regular doubts and fears about a big challenge that was going on with me at the time. Suddenly, a thought came out of nowhere, spooking me out: ‘Maybe you’re too confident’! I thought of how I’m always fussing my daughter, Julie, for being overconfident about her school work and refusing to study. Then 15 minutes later or so, I needed to use the restroom, but it was occupied, so I had to wait. I opened my meditation book, Jesus Calling, on my phone, and unbelievably read:
“You have every reason to be confident, because My Presence accompanies you all the days of your life—and onward into eternity.”
Wow! God is so intimately involved in all our lives. I opened it to the perfect sentence for me at that very moment. Here’s what else He had to say about all those worries and anxious thoughts:
“Do not give in to fear or worry, those robbers of abundant living. Trust Me enough to face problems as they come, rather than trying to anticipate them. Fix your eyes on Me, the Author and Perfector of your faith, and many difficulties on the road ahead will vanish before you reach them. Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am holding you by your right hand. Nothing can separate you from My Presence! For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13
And this message was confirmed in my other meditation book that I opened for a brief minute when I needed to grab something from my handbag:
God: “I will go before you and level the mountains” (Isaiah 45:2).
Our Father, thank You for Your intimate Presence in every aspect of our lives. May we always trust You and follow Your guidance. Amen.
KEEP CALM—YOU’RE ROLLING WITH GOD
“WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF YOUR DAY?”
That was me questioning my Emmanuels (hubby and two sons) while we ate dinner last night. I told them how I was feeling so sick (a cold), discouraged, and overwhelmed by some big balls I have in the air, when my son, Joshie, came and asked me if I would like to have an appointment with God with him. I said, “That’s a great idea! I need one right now!”
It was exactly 4:00 so I said let’s read post number 40 from our ‘Purpose Driven Life Devotional For Kids.’ It was the perfect message:
“Eyes on God
“But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.” – Genesis39:21
…A good example of suffering because of other people is Joseph of the Old Testament (Genesis 37-50). After being sold by his brothers into slavery, Joseph found himself in a foreign country, alone and hurting. He had every right to ask, “Why me?” How was Joseph able to hang in there?
First, Joseph recognized that God has given everyone free choice. No one is a puppet or a robot. We can choose to ignore what is right, and God does not force his will on us.
Second, Joseph knew that God saw everything he went through. He never doubted that God cared about him. There is an important phrase that is found five times in the story of Joseph, each time after a major crisis or defeat: “But the Lord was with Joseph.” Even when everything was going wrong, the Lord was still with Joseph.
Remembering these truths allowed Joseph to survive the pain and forgive his brothers in the end—because he kept his eyes on God.
Prayer: Lord, I need to remember that you are with me through sadness and joy, just as you were with Joseph. Thank you for caring for me and caring about me.”
And that’s been my testimony! No matter the challenges and problems I face, God stands with me. The best solutions would pop to mind when I know I’m not that smart. People I need will magically show up to assist me. God’s total guidance, strength, wisdom is always there as my back up no matter what comes my way. I just have to show up with my eyes on God, listening to His direction in every moment as to what He would have me to do.
WEROLLWITHGOD.COM
“WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THE KINDNESS OF MY HUSBAND?”
That was me to my hubby last night as he served the boys and me the most delicious dinner. He didn’t eat with us because he was entertaining a guest, but we enjoyed ourselves without him. Then, this morning, they woke me up to eat a big breakfast with them, and even though I’m not a breakfast eater, I said, ‘Nik, you must eat!’ after hubby said they weren’t eating without me.
With all this love I’m receiving from hubs and the boys now that I’m back in Nigeria, my assignment from God showed up in a Bible verse:
“Honor those leaders who work so hard for you (that’s my husband!)… Overwhelm them with appreciation and love.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
Watching a Whatsapp message this morning about how a country has forgiven another country for an atrophic war act, I was reminded that this is where God wants us all, going overboard with love and forgiveness for everyone. God’s love, mercy, and faithfulness are renewed every day for us, and that’s where we should be with everyone. In fact, I’ve promised God to be that loving, kind, and forgiving person He has called me to be in every moment, seeking to please Him in everything I do and say. Everything is between God and us, not between us and anyone else.
Instead of worrying, I’m handing over the difficult parts of the battles with God knowing I handle nothing alone. My strength, wisdom, and guidance come from the Lord! God exceeds my expectations and gives me even more than I can ask or expect from Him. Let’s all commit to a stronger relationship with God, aiming to make everything we do, say, and even think pleasing to Him as we enjoy the sweet (even though difficult sometimes) with Him as our loving Partner. He said to me in an appointment with Him, say anything I want to Him, but to others, I should be silent. I should hide all my ugliness in His heart (it’s a hospital!). God, done.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
