CAN I TELL YOU GUYS ABOUT MY FAV APPOINTMENT WITH GOD EVER EVER?!?
I was lying on my bed, feeling so terrible about myself. Like, ‘Nik, you keep saying you’re going to do this, you’re going to do that, but you end up doing nothing but eating junk foods and watching TV. You’re a complete mess! What’s wrong with you.’ I was so frustrated with myself, feeling like a total loser. A few minutes later, after my pity party, but still in my terrible feeling good for nothing state, I said, let me have an appointment with God. Look what incredibly showed up on the very page and book I opened to, written as if God was speaking directly to me at that moment:
“Even when you feel good for nothing, give Me this nothing. Didn’t I create with nothing? All I ask of you is the will to give yourself to Me at all times, in cloud or sunshine. And I’ll take you into the happy Upper Room of My servants and My friends.” – He and I
Tell me! What kind of love is this? That at my awful moment of feeling good for nothing and beating myself up, God found a way to come and wrap His arms around me and comfort me. Nik, give Me your nothing!!! Didn’t I create the entire world from nothing! That’s the love I want you to KNOW and experience for yourself. He comes to us at our lowest and picks us up WITH HIS LOVE. He is not like other humans who cut you off when you do something they don’t like, His love is unconditional, and He stands ready to help you bounce back, even from nothing!
“No matter how long you have traveled in the wrong direction, you can always turn around.” – Tumblr.com via motivationpulse
He went as far as sending me my own personal coach last year when I needed help. My brother, Kevin, almost always took my calls, listened to me, and gave me the best advice. One of the last things he said to me last year, though, is finally getting through, ‘Forget shining bright! I want you to be wise.’
For me, that means going to God in every decision asking what He would have me to do. Not being tossed to and fro by every little event taking place, getting all emotional, sad, angry, crazy, and depressed. That was last year, not this year! To be the wife, mother and person He would like me to be. Like my sons are a little upset with me, but I told them I’m not their friend right now, but in the future, they will thank me. The wiser Nik is learning to stand firm with God, being who I feel He would have me to be by going the extra mile in love. The unconditional love we receive from Him is the love He wants us to share with others. As we do that, He is behind the scenes fighting battles on our behalf! My daughter, Julie, had me in tears today speaking of a college Professor who truly brought out the best in her. I’m amazed as to how God coordinated all of this! For Julie to attend college while still a high school student. His love is too much!!!! He exceeds our expectations!!!
THIS A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE; AIN’T TRYING TO WASTE IT (REPOST)
That’s how I’m feeling about God right now! I went out on an extra long run with Him today, and He didn’t disappoint. He showed up. As I played the song, ‘RACKS in the Middle,’ I turned a bend, there was a truck with the word “RACK” directly in front of me. And that right there was one of my God winks where everything lines up a little bit too perfectly to be some ordinary occurrence (coincident), it was God’s sweet way of saying, ‘Nik, my invisible Presence is always with you.’ There was no way that out of all the songs in the world, I just happened to be listening to this specific one while jogging pass that truck – all God orchestrated for His girl over here to show me His deep love.
This love is too good for me to keep it to myself, y’all! Are you feeling it? My son, Joshie, has been calling me a lot from Nigeria and I’ve been taking advantage of these sacred times to have appointments with God with him. And the one we had yesterday asked, “What do you have that you haven’t received from God?” Nothing. This son who I get to love up is a gift from Him, as well as the rest of my family. To be able to go out and run today was another gift. Many people didn’t make it to see this day. I’m not taking anything for granted! I’m sucking up God’s love!
I read an email from Joel Osteen about being content in any and every circumstance. Not just enduring, but enjoying. I took it as another wink from God that He wants me ENJOYING my life with Him. Ok, Boss! That goes for us all! Let’s be content, rejoicing always in whatever situations we find ourselves with our eyes ever towards the Lord, sucking up His love and seeking His guidance for our lives. Amen.
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:
