Learning and Growing

As a child, it did seem like you never really had to worry about anything as someone else did the worrying while you enjoyed the spoils or the rewards. This was my reality, at least not until I began to move up classes at school and the plays, naps and creativity seemed to be taken over by timed activities, bells, and assignments not to mention punishments for being late or doing something wrong. 

This became my reality, school brought out the consciousness of the inevitable life process ‘growth’, which in the words of Benjamin Franklin - ‘Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning’. And as Paul rightly said ‘When I was a child, I spoke, thought, and reasoned in childlike ways as we all do. But when I became a man, I left my childish ways behind’.

Never stop learning, growing up is part of life, however make sure life’s lessons mould you in the right direction. 

Prepared Meal!

I got home after a really busy day yesterday and wasn’t sure if I could get myself to make something to eat. My flatmate was busy cooking something in the kitchen and offered me this pleasantly looking meal. I couldn’t be more grateful.

As I reflect on the things I sometimes don’t necessarily open my mouth to pray about but are sorted, I am reminded of the word - God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ever ask or think……..Those prayers we make in thoughts also count. 

Today, I am thankful to God who answers prayers and meets our needs beyond our words (what we ask in words) but also our prayers made in thoughts.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us

 Reference: Ephesians 3:20

Choices!

We don't have to have it all figured out yet, 

It doesn't have to be perfect yet.

We may not have it all yet 

We may not be at the finish line yet

At the moment of having it as a thought, 

going through the process, 

when it seems blur and impossible, 

when it seems hopeful but still a long way to go, 

when you feel tired but closer than when you first started, 

when you are not where you ought to be, but definitely not where you used to be, 

remain thankful for a thankful heart keeps the dream alive and receives grace to accomplish....

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 5:20

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:18

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

Influences!

I met a lady (Jose) from Manchester today. I would describe her as exciting and engaging. She came in briefly to do some cleaning nevertheless, got everyone’s attention as she spoke about her three sons and how they have turned out to be great kids. Two are currently studying at the university (Manchester and Australia) and the first son works with a multinational abroad (Netherland). You could literally see her eyes light up as she showed us pictures of the boys and how well they are doing.…..She finally said to us (the listeners) ‘it wasn’t easy raising them boys within the community I live but I am a Christian and I brought them up in the ways of a Christian guided by the bible and that has kept them grounded’. That to me was a profound statement and it brought to mind the reality of how necessary it is to sow the right seeds in the formative years of an individual and never stop sowing because we never really stop developing, learning.

Still on this thought (influences), any wonder how kids tend to pick up stuff (I refer to words, gestures, and the likes). I recently spoke with my sister-in-law who narrated stories to me about stuff her 3 year old son (Tammy) picked up 'I know that one time because I always ended my calls with take care, God bless, he would say it when he is role playing with his toys. Also, we say the grace after prayers at home, he insists on saying the grace after every prayer no matter how short....Similarly, another nephew of mine, Joshua who is 6 years old, when he was much younger (about 3 years old) and asked ‘how you are?’ his response was always ‘I am blessed’. He picked this response from his mum who always responds in this manner. Consequently, it is helpful to say that we should never stop sowing the right seeds because it pays and at the same time, to the best of one’s ability, expose yourself to whatever has the capacity to positively channel you, people around you in the right direction.

‘Point your kids in the right direction, when they’re old they won’t be lost’. MSG

‘Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it’. NLT

Reference:

Proverbs 22:6

Mum @70

Mum @70

So today happens to be my mum’s birthday and I thought to write something about her :) 

On the 23^rd of September 70 years ago, a baby girl was born to a Nigerian - Cameroonian couple. I would say, she was an independent strong child, brought up in a Christian home where she developed her love for God, people and interestingly, books and archives. 

Just to have a scan through her educational background, she started high school at St Margaret College, Ilesha, obtained a Bachelor’s Degree, Library Science, B. Sc. (Hons) from the Texas Women’s University, Denton, Texas and moved on to the admired University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria where  she obtained a master’s degree in Library Science.

Her passion for library matters (books and archives) led to her being all of this and more: library assistant para-professional at the Ibadan University Library, Senior Library Assistant, Para-professional Assistant in the Library Department, College of Science and Technology, Librarian (1) Head of serials section, Senior Librarian, Principal Librarian, Deputy University Librarian, Rivers State University of Science and Technology and though retired, she still works as Librarian (contract staff) at the University.  

Her love for God has also reflected in the way she raised her children to know and submit to God, how she remains a constant support to her hubby, children and all around her, how she constantly works in love, forgiveness, and care. Amongst the many hats she wears; carrying out pastoral duties as a matter of passion and duty, she currently is Pastor in Charge of Zone in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) PH.

Today as you turn 70, we celebrate you and declare this to you that ‘through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life’. (Proverbs 9:11).

Happy Birthday mum and have a wonderful year ahead.

#birthdayblessings  #mum@70  #family  #God’slove #blessings 

WHY! WHAT! And HOW!

WHY! WHAT! And HOW!

I recently found myself listening to discussions about purpose and on hearing a number of meaningful responses, I couldn’t help but investigate further to understand ‘purpose’. I would like to state that this post isn’t an in-depth explanation on purpose, but it essentially focuses on 3 significant components I have come to understand regarding purpose.

Some of the responses I gathered concerning purpose are; to give hope, to inspire others, to reach out to specific people in a given society, preach the gospel, make music, to serve, to be a writer, to be a teacher, to own corporations, to make money etc. I dare say, they are all true about the ‘what’ in the dialogue about purpose.

Likewise, other responses talk about the skills or knowledge acquired that can aid one in the journey to fulfilling purpose. These include having that unique voice, writing skill, the intellectual capability, the ability to work with numbers, the ability to speak eloquently, the witty mind for creativity and business, the flair for sports etc. This again, I dare say is true about purpose as it speaks about the ‘how’.

Following these responses, I decided to check the dictionary meaning of the word ‘purpose’ and have just highlighted two here:

•         Why you do something or why something exists - Cambridge dictionary
•     The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. – Oxford dictionary

Pondering on these definitions, I realised, as observed from the responses above that, in identifying one’s purpose in life, there is a significant emphasis on the ‘what’ and the ‘how. Even so, purpose as defined above, significantly focuses on the ‘why’. Drawing on the dictionary definition that focuses on the ‘why’, it is right to say that,

‘It is important to know ‘why’ we do ‘what’ we do as we develop the ‘how’ we do ‘what’ we do’.  

As a Christian (one who believes in God), it is right to say, purpose is God centred or God initiated. This is clearly emphasised in the bible (the official manual for Christians). Likewise, there are lots of narratives in the bible that talk about God working out His purpose in the lives of people. Consequently, as we submit to God, He reveals ways (hinging on the why, what and how) by which we fulfil His purpose in our lives.

#purpose #why #what #how #God #beinspired 

Testify Sunday- Angelic Assistance

Testify Sunday - Angelic Assistance!

We all need help or some form of assistance every now and again. However, there are times situations  just seem impossible to fix. At those times, we come to terms with the fact that we need some form of supernatural help to get through.....

I put in an application a while ago and was waiting for a response. It seemed to be taking forever, but the fruit or character 'patience' came into play as I stayed calm through the period of 'waiting'. After almost two months, I received a call on a Wednesday from an uncle whose address in Manchester I had used for correspondence. He mentioned while we chatted that I had a letter and he was going to post it to me (who was at the time in Scotland). Estimating delivery, I was sure to get it at most 2 - 3 working days on standard delivery (2nd class postage) schedule.

After waiting a few days without receiving any letter from the post, I began to feel a bit of concern as I wasn't sure what the content of the letter was and if I had to respond within a time frame. I called my uncle who confirmed the date he posted the letter to me. It became more obvious that this was an unusual delay as letters normally don't take this long; and since it was a 2nd class delivery used, it was impossible to track. I did everything possible to get some form of help to track (like going to the post office to enquire, calling the post office department who handles such issues, consulting on what next to do) the letter. Seconds went to minutes, minutes to hours and hours to days. I came to terms with the fact that this situation will need some form of supernatural help; angelic assistance to locate the letter and have it delivered to my speedily. I spoke to a few people about it and asked for their prayers. The following week Wednesday, a day after

I had asked for prayers and prayed for angelic assistance to locate the letter, the letter arrived. I consider this divine assistance that came right on time because, if the letter had been delayed a day more, the timeline given to respond would have elapsed.

Have a blessed Sunday and remember, God is never late. He responds right on time when we call for help.