.............and God showed up.

"Lord, what's going on?, I asked. I'd been in church for over an hour and no other member of the choir had shown up. Some members had given their excuses but what about the others I mused. "when last did you trully pray for the choir? asked that gentle, familiar, silent but audible voice. "before you start playing the sanctimonious leader check yourself". Immediately, my prayer stance changed and I spent the next thirty minutes praying."lord, I'm sorry! help me out here" I cried. Attendance at the choir rehearsals had been dwinling over time. It seems the members had simply lost interest or the fire had died. Ministrations had grown cold, robotic and bland. The downward spiral started after we had our 3-day summer prayer and fasting program. I guess we were so engrossed in the success of the event that we'd allowed things to slip.

Lesson learnt! following my dialogue with the holy spirit, I did not reprimand my members rather charged them with the seriousness of the business at hand. It just wouldnt do to let our guards down or be puffed up with the mercy showers we had been enjoying. The "special number" was abysmal, barely there, as our lack of preparation showed in our rendition. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap",(Gal 6:7). Also 2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously". God works with and by principles. We had sown nothing so we reaped nothing. Lesson learnt! Attendance improved slightly at the next reharsals-3 people turned up(that number included me) but I wasn't fazed. Interestingly, the three of us that showed up werent that musically inclined but WE WERE AVAILABLE. The song we chose to minister was a bit tecnical but I wasn't fazed. I was prayed up and ready to give it my ultimate best even the technical bit. "aunty, should we do the brige? Rachel asked. "its a bit techy". "yes, I answered with much emphasis. "especially the bridge. God will show up", I continued with a smile. My confidence stemmed up more from God's faithfulness not so much my ability to hold a note(have you heard me sing?....lololol. my familiy still dont believe I'm in the choir...don't tell them I'm even in charge..lol). And yes! God showed up that sunday. The ministration was awesome. we were not overly prepared but we were a yielded and willing instrument in the hands of God. I was humbled...and I'm humbled still. Lesson learnt! "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments".(Deuteronomy 7:9)God indeed works by principle. when we do our part He will back us up. Now I'll share the original version of the song we ministered. Its "I NEED YOU" BY EDDIE JAMES.

God is Never Late.

Standing by the river bank waiting for the waters to part. I shuddered in the cold as the wind blew at my face. Awaiting my miracle.......any miracle! I looked up as dark clouds gathered and heaven splewed forth rain. Lightening rippled through the sky as I stood shivering at the riverbank. Tears streamed down my face but I barely felt the cold. In the blustering wind,I could hear the chariots coming.the riders urging the horses to run faster despite the darkness. They were fearsome with their cloaks flowing behind them. The picture was frightening. I hurdled deeper into my coat seeking the protection of my warm fleece coat. but it offered no solace. From the corner of my eyes I saw the shining silver metal of a soldier's lifted sword and my heart caught in my chest. My knees crumbled underneath me. Despite the rain, the sand was still warm. It was not meant to end this way. I was tired of running.There was no where else to go.No place to hide. I wept like a child waiting to be crushed under the heavy weight of a soldiers blow. Lord, I cried.Help me lord! I need you lord!It wasn't meant to be like this. The waters are supposed to part for me and the chariots are drawing closer. Looorrrrrdddd! I cried. With trembling feet I crawled closer to the water bank muttering silent prayers to Jehovah to hear my plea and deliver me from pharaoh's army.The tide was mounting and there seems to be no help in sight! Will I survive this time? I felt a tug in my spirit, a silent voice said "Look up child".The battering army was no more.Like a vapour they'd disappear. The wind had dropped to a gentle whisper and the tide had subsided. I saw the sun come out from behind the clouds and its gentle ray shining down on me. I was no longer cold but clothe in an indescribable warmth. I felt the laughter riplling from deep within me and a gentle sound escaped from my lips. The days spent enduring the raging storms and tormenting army were soon quickly forgotten as I girded my cloak and boldly walked towards the waters. That too had parted! In the middle of the sea a royal aisle was waiting, my very own red carpet. I was no longer afraid as the hand of God guided me on this next journey, trusting Him to keep the waters at bay while I skip, run and dance to the other side of the sea.

Miracle in the mailbox .

Her heart pounded and she could feel the beady sweat running down her forehead as she heard the postman slip letters through the letter hole. "O lord", she prayed. "let it not be another bill". she'd been overwhelmed with bills this month and it seems they just keep pouring in. the gas bill, electricity, motor tax, insurance, school fees, on and on the list kept growing. The economic recession seems to be biting harder than it was 3 years ago. "what do I do lord", she panicked as she picked up the first envelop she could touch while straddling her little one on her hips. The little girl giggled as reached out and pulled her mother's luscious curls, mindless of the turmoil going on around her. "kids, how innocent and impervious they are to situations", the young mother mused. She walked back to into the kitchen while clutching the envelop in her hand. It was an official looking envelop with a government ensigna boldly printed on it. "O lord" she panicked too scared to open it. Could it the bank wanting to repossess her house because she'd been behind on her morgate repayment? "O God! no please" she pleaded as she opened the the envelop with trembling hands. she had been out of a job in six years and all her efforts to get back in the game had been futile. Nobody seems to want a single mother of three well into her late thirties1. sad, but that's how the world is she thought to herself. The absentee father of her children was not helping matters. He had not made any contribution for the children's upkeep in 4 years. "oh my God" she screamed crumpling the envelop in her hand, startling her little baby still straddled on her hips. "Oh my God", she repeated as she unfolded the letter again and her eyes ran through the already very crumpled letter soaked with tears. she was holding a miracle in her hands, an unexpected answer to a desperate heart cry. Three years ago, she had written a proposal to a government department highlighting ways that special needs education can be improved in public schools. As the years rolled by she felt her proposal had been dumped in the bin just like her other dreams had crumbled and died. In that dreaded sound of the postman dropping letters through her letter box had come a dream reawekened and renewed strength for the future. The future didnt look bleak anymore. Ironic it seems, doesn't it? that life's greatest miracles come from the most unsusual places, people and situations. My friend dreaded checking her post because of the recent onslaught of bad news that she'd received but her miracle came through the same mailbox. Imagine what would have happened if she'd chosen not to open her mail that day out of fear. I have learnt that obstacles are only stepping stones to promotion and opportunities are wrapped in the least atractive packaging.Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that I, the LORD, who call you by your name, am the God of Israel". God, Himself will deliver life-transforming opportunities from unlikely situations . It is possible only if we believe! Like a lot of people, I have my share of challenges but I believe the solution is closer than i imagined all I have to do is enjoy the storm and the miracle is a post man away

Take Charge, Don't glide.

"twenty more seconds to go", the man screamed at the top of his lungs while 8 or so ladies struggled on their bikes in a desperate effort to keep pace with the slave-driver-like trainer! phew!, i muttered under my breath as my ample rump slipped off the saddle. With sweat smattering my eyes, I pushed my very tired body to the end of the spin class. Talk about total body workout. It had been gruesome but I survived the 45 minutes spin class despite my body almost giving up on me and my brain taking a stroll mid session(has that never happened to you? My brain does that often when I find myself in an uncomfortable situation doesn't yours? You must be an alien then.serious!. Catching my breath and pretending not to be totally fagged out, I glanced at the other ladies shamelessly sprawled on the floor with no form of dignity whatsoever... lol. I couldnt help but burst out with laughter at the antics of a particular blonde who kept moaning out loud and swearing off chocolate for the rest of her life. yes, chocolate was her guilty pleasure but the consequence was diabeties, high blood pleasure and a nagging continous back pain. Most of us in the class did not join the gym to maintain a perfect size 8 or whatever size is being celebrated in fashion magazines but it stemed more out of a desperate need to save our lives. I'm not being dramatic here but only stating the obvious. heart disease, clogged arteries are just some of the consequencies of obesity. After my post on spirit controlled weight loss, I procastinated a bit until I saw a recent picture of myself on facebook. truth be said i wasn't shocked rather very disappointed at how I looked! how did I allow myself to glide into self destruction because that is what obesity is-A DOWNWARD SPIRAL INTO EARLY DEATH!. A spoonfull of pudding here, extra portion of eba there and late night eating not to forget my inability to say NO to food. the initial gratification is good but the end result is what I'm desperate to shed. Gal 5:16 "So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves". The flesh desires gratification despite the ensuing consequence(s)ie the eyes see it, the mind conceives it, the body desires etc. but the end thereof is death(obesity, high blood pressure, diabeties). Most obese people are emotive and cumpulsive eaters. when the balance of their enviroment is disrupted, they seek solace in food but Psalm 29:11 states that "God gives His people peace". It takes the holy spirit to live healthy lives and cultivate a healthy lifestyles. My body is the temple of the holy spirit and therefore deserves respect. It is so easy to make excuses for our weaknesses and inadequacies but the undeniable truth as found in proverbs 24:33-34 says"a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man". Poverty of the flesh in terms of sickness and disease, for some untimely death if not controlled on time. The choice is yours and mine to make! I know the journey ahead is ardous and requires commitment and discipline but I'm determined to take charge of my life and not glide myself to an early grave by satistying the desires of my flesh and that includes pre-marital sex.

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My hands are full

She had a gentle demeanor about her as she smiled making pleasant chit chats with the guests that attended the Deborah conference. There was something peaceful about her as she made the usual talk with the elegantly dressed ladies vying for her attention. I walked up to her and introduced myself as she sipped tea and was obviously taking a breather. It'd been a long but interesting morning and i'm sure this lovely lady would appreciate the rest( she didnt say so but I would...lol. planning such an event no matter how fulfilling it might be must have been tedious especially where it concerns women issues...phew). She gave me that 100% concentration she'd given to others while I introduced myself. Pastor Mrs Adebayo Oke(don't know her first name) is wife to the the National pastor of Redeem Christian Church of God Ireland but she did not strike me as your typical RCCG pastor's wife. There was no pretention about her neither did She exude or go about with this "holier-than-thou attitude. She was simple yet divine. It was my first time of seeing or even meeting her and I was impressed. I had walked up to her for networking purposes and ofcourse she was impressed with my resume(who wouldnt be impressed with my Einstein self?...lol). " I can't design a website but I can assist generate content and drive publicity", I told her. "that's very kind of you and your expertise is duly appreciated", she replied but could you discuss it with....She replied pointing to her assistant after discussing a few of the ideas with me "cos my hands are full right now and I might forget". If it were four years ago, I would blown my top! how dare she push me to someonelse! But I've grown rather matured over the years. This is a woman that knew where to draw the line and not bite what she could not chew. With quiet respect, she did not pretend or coat her words but simply told the truth. Women are natural multi-taskers. we juggle family with work and all other what-nots, not complaining while gently whittling away. In a bid to please everyone we take on chores upon chores without delegating responsibilities either for fear of hurting people if we refuse or simply because we have super-human abilities. But the truth is us women are not SUPER HUMAN!!! we get overwhelmed and tired like others. Ironically, we end up hurting the people we are trying to help when the desired or expected goal is not achieved. Moreso,saying yes to too many activities or responsibilities can be physically and emotionally depleting. Buttom line,know your strength/limitations and its okay to let others take over for a while. This will help ease stress..!!!

Sometimes as a single mum, I take Josh to his nanny while i enjoy an occassional Josh-free day or holiday. Desiring a bit more space for myself does not make me a selfish or bad mum. I've realised its either that much needed break or I'll end up in the madhouse!!! so for the sake of my sanity and the benefit of humanity its ok to draw the line instead of pushing mysel to breaking points and thereby destroying valuable relationships. Like my darling Mrs Oke told me "My hands are full". And I appreciate her sincerety and wish more more women can learn a thing or two from that simple yet loaded statement.