Know your limits, RUN FOR HELP

I am adept at the doing a lot of things  despite my obvious physical challenge. I drive, cook, clean, wash and only glean myself off certain chores by pretending my arm is aching(which it does sometimes but not enough to make me an invalid). In all, I am downright independent and celebrate that fact with gusto.

Lara Croft

In as much as I appreciate my strengths, I also know my limits. I know when its okay to ask for help in areas where others are more proficient. In fact I gladly ask for help without thinking twice, no shame, no pride, just common sense!

I walked into my house today only to find a bird trapped in my chimney. After getting over the shock, two things came to mind. 1. Abandon the whole building and let the bird take over or 2. Run for help. In the scheme of things, option 2 seemed better. It never crossed my mind to chase the bird myself because 1. I am not an animal lover, can't bear to come near any or even touch any. 2. I was downright scared. Without much ado, I ran to my neighbour's, explained the situation and got the help I needed.

 Well he did the work while I was jumping round the house like a banshee.

It didn't matter that I was barely familiar with my neighbour. He is an animal lover and the best person to handle my "bird" problem. It would have been foolhardy to have called any of my other friends in that particular situation as they were all scaredy cats like myself.

Asking for help in difficult situations is not foolishness but simple common sense. Unfortunately according to my dearest pastor "common sense is not common". The truth hurts but denial doesn't lessen its efficacy.

Pastor Olumide Emmanuel(Truth of Calvary ministries)

 In the face of life's many challenges its wisdom to turn to God. It's the absolute right thing to do. There is a scripture for every situation, a solution to every problem and answer to every question, if only you'll make the effort to seek it out. "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you with my victorious right hand" Isaiah 41:10.
Running for help is not a sign of cowardice but recognition of ones limitation. Admitting a need for help saves one from stress and frustration in the long run. It takes courage to admit you are neither Superman not Wonder-man even they have areas of weaknesses. Moreover they are fictional characters, figment of somebody's imagination.  Be a good sport and stop stressing out! Run for help, you'll be amazed its just a prayer away. "now this is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us.And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask,we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him", 1 John 5:14-15

Humpty's GREAT FALL

I couldn't help pondering over the poem Humpty Dumpty this morning. You know the classic poem "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, all the Kings horses and all the kings men couldn't put Humpty together again". How sad!! When I was taught this simple rhyme in primary school, there was no morale to be learnt. It was just a poem to be recited and enjoyed by little children nothing else. Today, the poem strikes a different and deeper cord in my heart. What was Humpty doing on the wall in the first place? How did he climb the wall? and to what purpose? Surely, he must have considered in that big head of his the dangers of climbing much more sitting on a wall!! Could it be that there was something in the horizon that he wanted to see and the wall could give him added advantage to see better? Unfortunately,something must have caught his attention or distracted him causing him to slip and fall. Maybe he even suddenly realised that "wow, I'm on a wall! what was I thinking? Hmmm! We may not know the answers to these questions but we do know he climbed the wall and fell much to his dismay and embarrassment. Someone must have been watching for the rescue team to come and try to gather the pieces together-someone must have called the kings emergency number. Did they warn him prior to his adventure or were they just casual by-standers waiting and watching to see the outcome of Humpty's folly. Humpty must be connected to the king to get royal attendants and attention. Have you ever found yourself in Humpty's position? you've climbed high to achieve a goal, taken a risk to better yourself in business, relationship only to come crashing down flat on your face? Well, I have and so has Peter. He saw Jesus walking on water and asked if he could join the "water-walking-elite", "Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:22-33. Peter was doing well until he got distracted. He noticed the boisterous wind, panicked and started to sink. I'm sure he felt humiliated because the other disciples saw him falter after his brave starting point. Sometimes it is not the fall that hurts but the humiliation of falling. You wonder at the number of people that observe and maybe laughed at your mistakes. I felt like that too after getting pregnant. I WAS ASHAMED!! but still chose to have my baby no matter the consequence. I have got 2 points to share with you that will encourage your faith. 1. Those people that saw you fall most likely wish they were bold enough to attempt what you did. You may have fallen but posterity can never accuse you of never trying.2. When Peter cried out, Jesus reached out and RESCUED HIM. He ended up still walking on water this time with Jesus-THE KING holding his hands allaying his fears. Peter walked on water while the other disciples cowered in the comfort of the boat. Peter had an adventure while others were mere spectators. If you've been dealing with shame following a misadventure-DON'T BE. Its time to call out for help and its just A PRAYER AWAY. By the way, why didn't the kings horses and kings men call the King to fix Humpty when they couldn't? POOR HUMPTY.

Laughing out loud.......The Grace Factor

"lololool....” I chuckled as I watched the choir struggle to learn the song for Sunday's ministration. Sister Temilola looked so serious with a hint of a twinkle in her eyes knowing she had missed her lines. As for the younger ones-they were lost in the drama of the song yet enjoying every moment of the rehearsals. "lololololo"....This time around, I couldn't control myself but burst into unbridled laughter. wow! How did I find myself here? How did I find myself in the midst of a motley crew of people with no singing experience whatsoever! None of us could hold a musical note even if our lives depended on it. I was not only a member of this motley crew but also the queen of the crew (yeah, you heard that right...lol). but seriously, someone has a lot of explaining to do. Someone who can't sing, leading a group of people who can’t sing professionally, think of a well cut-out job for a novice(custom made wahala). My friends in Nigeria laugh their heads off when I tell them I'm in the Choir. "who put you there? they ask and have a good laugh at my expense. (no be una fault...yeye people. Lol). I tend to ask myself that question too. This piece is being written by a girl who was practically chased out of the choir in Nigeria because I couldn't sing. The first time was in the university. My group in the church had decided to render a Christmas carol as part of events marking the end of year celebrations. After hearing my voice, the head of the group did not have the heart to drop my part but managed to squeeze in a space for my special singing abilities. (My very good friend consoled me with the assurance that at least I looked good on camera) The second time around, the lady in charge held nothing back and told me "Gladys, you’re better off not singing at all but later allowed me to sing the YAH in HALLELUYAH. (wicked Tunwashe...lol). After that, I gave up the my vision of being Nigeria's own Celine Dion.*sigh* I joined the choir in Ireland as a result of a series of unfortunate incidents. The church had split and very few members were left. I noticed a niche in the choir and decided to join and help out. Your guess is as good as mine, they had no choice but to accept me..lol! I later told God that If I had to do this then I had to do it right. I prayed for the grace to sing and here we are today. I still don't know much about singing but I do know about "God's grace to help". Same with my crew. I work with a group of people who are not perfect by the world's standard but are ready and willing to sing the praise of their God. And that's the heart God is seeking. John 4:23 "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks". The world has certain rules and guides on how things are done and what qualifies people for certain positions but IT IS GRACE THAT QAULIFIES not any special qualification or abilities. The Samaritan woman in John 4 had lived her life weighed down by where and how one ought to worship until she meet Jesus (what a relief she would have felt. No more climbing the mountain or travelling up to Jerusalem to worship) Unfortunately most Christians are still bound by rules, rules, and more rules. Imagine the shock experienced by so called learned folks when Peter and John faced them in the temple proclaiming the gospel of Jesus. They acknowledged that the two disciples were simple men ordinary *bloody Fishermen*( for good measures). When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus . Peter and Job were not qualified to address the Sanhedrin but Grace showed them up (in your face Sanhedrin people...that's how we roll in Jesus). 1Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong Ever wondered why certain people seem to do something so well without the apparent no-how? It’s simply the GRACE FACTOR. I've got friends in ministry even in everyday businesses who find themselves doing what they are doing and doing it well nonetheless. No Masters or PHD but a heart that pants after God. My crew and I have a LOOOOOONG way to go but appreciate God for choosing and using us anyways. We've gone for ministerations in other churches that God showed up not because of our singing proweress but "FOR HIS GREAT NAME SAKE". How AWESOME. Amazing things do happen when a heart is yielded and trusting in God The following day's service was HILARIOUS!!!. Of course, I forgot the lyrics of the song, sang off key but danced through it all. God loves me still and I'll keep singing to His glory. Go on, have a good laugh at my expense. God really does have a sense of humour.lololol

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.