THE GRUDGE!

'We haven't spoken in 7 years', she said, 'Why?' I asked, and she replied, 'Well, I honestly don't know...I remember though, we had a fight and stopped talking.........ever since then'. 

To be honest, I was tongue tied, 'cos I do the same, many times....Get mad and keep a grudge (Being honest)... You?

It's something I get tested on everyday. It's something I'm willing to change- this bad habit. 

I read the article below on one of my fave 'devo' apps this morning...and I thought it's a great reminder on how we can let go of this bad habit.....

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. (NLT) -Proverbs 4:23
Do you protect your heart?  What baggage is following you around.  This principle of protecting your heart will serve you well.  No one ever wants to have bad feelings towards another because of unresolved conflict.  Who wants to be ducking and hiding in the grocery store because we still have a grudge towards a prior situation.  Guard your heart well and settle your issues quickly.
- Source: Faith App (Devotional)

Source: Google Images

"I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to 

bear." - Martin Luther King, Jr.


Keeping a grudge is crazy bad!!!! Whether you are 

the hurt or the one hurting, just let go (Yes, I know

 how hard it is..been there many times). Pray for

them, bless them, talk to them. One of my favourite

advise from my sensei is this: Don't give anyone the

 remote control to your life...Don't let them

 determine your mood and joy.


Let's face it, keeping a grudge does that.....You stop 

smiling or stop being joyful just because 'that

 person' walks into a room...It feels like all the 

sweet aura you felt  had vanished, and standing in 

its place, a giant elephant... Isn't it so stressful?



Guide your heart....Bury the grudge...It's not worth

it...#True story!


Sweet day!!!!!

XOXO :D

'ALL I ASKED FOR WAS WATER...'

Mother Teresa — 'Never worry about numbers. 

Help one person at a time and always start with 

the person nearest you.'

Google Images

The date was DECEMBER 1, 2013.

I was late already.
I rushed down from the bus, quickening my pace as Church was two minutes away, when he asked ‘Please, sister, I need water?’
I looked at him. He was old, disheveled, a yellow dirty bag lay by his side and he was eating rice from a black polythene bag.
I looked at him and honestly, my first thought was to give him some money to buy water, but instead, I heard myself say, ‘Sir, where do they sell water around here?’
He pointed at a direction and I bought him a bottle of water.  He smiled and said, ‘Thank You’ and God placed this question in my heart for him ‘Sir’, I said, ‘Would you like to come to church? My Church isn't far from here. It’s at city mall and the people there are really friendly and they would welcome you’. He looked at me, smiled and said ‘Yes. I would like to come, as soon as I am done eating’. I smiled and said ‘Thank you’ and hurried on.

As I walked into City Mall, I felt something holding my steps.  I couldn't move. 
This conversation was going in my head- ‘What if he comes and is turned away because he is not dressed like the rest of us?’ What if he forgets to come? What if he doesn’t find the church?’
I ran out of the gate as fast as I can, back to the old man.
He was surprised to see me again and I said ‘I’m sorry to be a bother but God wants me to wait for you’. He looked at me again; eyebrows raised, smiled and said ‘Ok’.

I stood beside him as he ate. A guy passed and asked if there were any problems and I said, ‘Oh, I’m waiting for my friend so we can go to church’. He shook his head and went on. Another friend from church saw me there and asked what was going on and I said ‘I’m waiting for a new friend so we can go to church’.
I called a friend in church, Collins and told him I was bringing a friend. I was so happy.

When he was done, he washed his spoon, drank some water and said let’s go.
I told him my name and he said ‘He is Christopher’. He could speak so well and I wondered what an intelligent, English speaking old man like that was doing on the streets.

We walked into church together.

When we entered into the church, due to the cold temperature of the place, his smell became prominent. Everyone turned back to look at us. I noticed that a few people were uncomfortable, maybe surprised, but some were really happy to see him.

Honestly, at some point, I became worried and thought ‘what if this wasn't from God?’  I noticed that he was coughing profusely and I worried that his cough was contagious. I also worried that he would harm us. But through the worrying, I still felt Gods peace. A son was home.

I sat with him and tried to explain what was going on.
But it was like he already knew.
My heart sang every time he sang along to the worship songs and knelt to pray, I praised God for him and prayed that He and God become friends again.

My church has this tradition where first timers were welcomed and he was really welcomed. The church family shook his hands and prayed with him.
After church, he was served some cake and he answered the alter call to receive Our Lord Jesus in his life.

My friend, Collins, whom I had called earlier wanted to meet my new friend and he actually thought it was the well-dressed man seated by my side. When I pointed to Mr. Christopher, he said ‘How? Where did you find him?’
A few folks in church asked who he was and I said ‘My friend’.

Collins, Tony (Collins friend) and I saw Mr. Christopher off to the bus stop. I wanted to treat Mr. Christopher to some meal at KFC but I had little money, well, I thought to myself ‘Maybe, next time, at least, he found God, and that’s Ok’.
Collins paid his transport fare to ‘somewhere’ and he kept muttering to himself, all smiles… ‘All I asked for was water….God eh.’

Tony and Collins walked me back to take a BRT bus  home, when Tony said ‘I saw him also and he asked me for water, but I did not look at him. It was a huge surprise seeing him at church.  I don’t like helping people but this experience has inspired me. You are so brave’. 

I told him to give God glory and that as Christians, we are called to love and be the hands and feet of Christ. I told him that it was God who helped me.

That night, when I got home, I kept seeing Mr. Christopher’s face and I had the kind of peace described in Phillipians 4:7.

I told a few friends and some said ‘He could be an angel’, another said ‘I should find time to hear his story. Really, what is a man like that doing on the street? Another said ‘That’s love. Hopefully we’ll take him out someday’.

Well on DECEMBER 8, I couldn’t attend church and Collins called me at night with some good news.
The conversation went like this ‘How are you?’ He asked.  ‘I dey’ I replied. ‘Guess what?’ he continued, ‘Mr. Christopher was in church today. Infact, he comes for midweek services. That man is clean. He has shaved his hair and beards and not smelly and wears clean cloths. He was asking for his friend- You’.

I was so happy. If I was that happy, I can imagine God and his angels and our Lord Jesus having a party for this son.

I am still humbled at this miracle. 

Today, when I think of it....My heart swells with Joy at the way God gives us beautiful encounters.

I've learned to show love. Infact, nowadays, I look for opportunities to walk the love talk. I've learnt to never look down on people and to let God use me the way he wants.

I pray this story encourage you like it did me.

You never know, you might entertain an angel without knowing it.


I haven't seen Mr. Christopher since, I don't know his story, But I know that wherever He is, God is with Him.

The Poet Rumi says- "Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder." Reach out to someone, make them smile or laugh, or help them out with something.

Great Weekend!!!

:D

#Love

Hello Les Amis....

Ok! I think I've caught the love bug....

The weekend was amazing and I was always on the look out for happily ever after stories.....

Wishing you your happily ever after....

And spread the love infection this week...whether it's making your community a better place or praying for a friend or opening the door for a stranger or sharing your time/ food or leaving a kind note for someone....

No matter how little, it's sooooooo worth it....

Try it and let me know how you feel :)

Hugs!!!!

God bless :D

#Envy

A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.- Proverbs 14:30

Why waste your time 'breaking' your head over  someones achievements? 

Have a sweet day...

Count your blessings.....Hugs :)

‘Coals of shame on their heads….’

Why are some people EVIL? Why some are people so ‘UNGRATEFUL’? Why are some people ‘USERS’- Only ‘loving you’ up when they need your help and after that they are ‘MIA (Missing in your life)? Why are some people just plain old ANNOYING? Why are some people so happy in my DOWNFALL? Why do some people act like DEVIL's on earth?

We can keep hanging on to our many WHYs…It can go on and on and on….Never ending…We can read all the many books written by the greatest sages in all of the world, but one thing is true…Evil-Ungrateful-Users-who-are-just-plain-old-annoying-and-derive-joy-in-our-downfall-which-makes-them-devils-on-earth will always exist. They are there at every turn and in every place.

Maybe, they are our so-called friends or relative or workmates, maybe, at one point in our life, if we are being honest, we've been that, plain old annoying.

They would always be there.

So, how do treat them!!!

REVENGE IS SWEET……… OR NOT?

LOVE THEM ALL THE SAME…. OR NOT?

God’s word puts it this way ‘If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.’ (Romans 12:20)...#word

My friend said something profound this morning. He said ‘Invest in good because tomorrow will remember’.

Whatever you do in life, do it for you and God and for tomorrow…not for ‘Mr. Mean old Annoying’ or for ‘Devil Charming’...But for your relationship with God (which is super important) and your peace of mind....

Love is ‘Covering up all sins. It’s giving others a clean slate even when they annoy you over and over again’.

Honestly, God gives us a clean slate all the time, even when we don’t deserve it. How much more us loving others, even when they don’t deserve our smile?

Evil-Ungrateful-Users-who-are-just-plain-old-annoying-and-derive-joy-in-our-downfall-which-makes-them-devils-on-earth will always exist. Some might change, some might not……But continue treating them with kindness…

God sees, hears and knows…Do your part, pray for the person….

Not easy though. Geez, sometimes, it’s easier to write this than to apply it (Argh!!! being honest), that’s why my new prayer is ‘Dear God, please help be like you…To love and treat others the way you treat us, most especially the 'unlovables'….in Jesus name, Amen!!!!

You agree?

I guess it’s true, this saying,  ‘To love truly is to love someone at that moment when you don’t feel like giving it…’

Have a beautiful weekend…

Thanks a lot for reading

Hugs and kisses :))

A FRIEND IN NEED

A true friend:

Accepts you as you are

Believes in You

Celebrates your success

Defends you

Encourages you

Forgives you no matter what

Gives you what you need

Has patience with you

Inspires you

Judges you rarely but fairly

Keeps your secrets

Loves you for who you are

Makes you feel better

Never abandons you

Open doors for you

Proud of you

Quels your fears

Restores you confidence

Shares your joy and grief

Tells you the truth

Understands you best

Values you

Want the best for you

Xpects the best from you

Yanks you back to reality

Zeroes in on what's wrong....

True Friendship A-Z by Michael Josephson

Was reminded today of a story about true friendship (Click here to listen). 

One of my greatest gifts ever are my friends....It's amazing how they pull through for me every time. 

And when I'm an 'ASS', they are the first to bring me back to reality...And when I'm weary, their words bring me back to life..... And their words of encouragements walk me through whatever stormy situations I'm in (Laughing and crying with me through it)....

I'm glad that you are my friend...You are too valuable and beautiful for me.

Thank you God for the gift of friendship......And I'm thankful too that God is our friend and that He 'super' cares for us.... Wow!!!!!!

Dedicating today to all my friends (Including you, even if you are Online)  :))

Big Hugs.....

XOXO

BUILDING BRIDGES :)

Photo Credit: tumblr.com

Happy Wednesday Mes Amis :))

Just a quick reminder to be happy and peaceable....especially being 'PEACEABLE'.

It's not easy though. People would always 'annoy' you and honestly, you would get on others nerve too.

But tell yourself, everyday, that you would build bridges. You would foster healthy relationships rather than tear down homes; You would turn the other cheek rather than start a world war; You would be a catalyst for unity and make someones day just like God does for you each day....

 Photo Credit: tumblr.com

Be peaceable...

Don't let anyone or any situation take away your joy and happiness...

SHALOM!!!!!!!!

God bless u :))

'An eye for an eye only ends up making the world blind'- Mahatma Ghandi

Thanks a billion for reading :))

T.R.U.S.T

Hellooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you watched flight? I just did and You have to watch it too, it’s super nice. I had this warm-ey feeling after watching it and glad for its happy ending. (I’m a happy ending kind of girl ^_^.)

One thing the movie made me think about is ‘Who I place my trust in?’

I hate flying, really nervous when I do, and to think that for the next 45 minutes or 10 hours (depending on the distance of the flight), my life is in the hands of a ‘Man’, or ‘Woman’. I’m supposed to trust the PILOT, right?

Or

Trying to trust my really high walls and Night Men at night for fear of robbers is just a waste of time, especially now that robbers are becoming very creative with the way they go about entering and breaking into people’s home. I mean, scuttling through the roofs like rats or cats, just so that they can STEAL or breaking through walls.

Or

Trusting a relationship of 5 years and feeling it will work out and then she/he goes and break your heart or worse, Use you for some sort of ritual (heard a story like that 2 weeks ago. So scary. Boyfriend cuts off girlfriends head for ritual after 3 years of bliss. Sad!!!!)

Trust? Firm belief in something or someone. You know faith or confidence and reliance in something/ someone.

Image source: theglitteringeye.com

So is trusting in our Pilot or High gates and wall or in that long relationship worth it? Sometimes, Yes, but unfortunately, they do disappoint.

 I was in love with this guy once and when I’m scared, he would say, Trust Me. I did but are we together now, Nope. My poor heart went turpsy turvy a billion times with him and after filling my kettle with tears. I moved on and glad God has my back.

Who or what do we place our trust in?

Money, some guy or girl, the highest fences or the ‘baddest’ dogs, our amazing physical features,etc?

Here’s me saying. PUT YOUR TRUST IN THE GREATEST BEING EVER IN LIFE. GOD IS GOOD AND HE ALONE HOLDS US.

Believe in HIM. Have confidence in HIM and HE wouldn’t give us a turpsy turvy moment in life like my ‘ex’ did. And if even If our boat is rocked and it seems the wave would turn us over, or we find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death, HE will be with us.

“If our testimonies are strong onthis point and if we feel the absolute assurance that God loves us, we will change our questons. We won't ask, 'Why did this happen?' or 'Why doesn't God care about me?' Instead, our questions will become, 'What can I learn from this experience?' or 'How does the Lord want me to handle this?” 

― John Bytheway

So if you are on that plane, not sure about the state of the pilot, trust the ONE who created you. At night, when the thieves comes with all sorts of tools to break into your home, trust the ONE who protects. And when that crazy relationship don’t work out. Thank YOUR FIRST LOVE and bless HIM for taking you out of a bad relationship and giving you happiness.

Know where to place your trust. It’s worse when you trust the wrong things/people. It’s more heartbreaking. It's a hard blow especially when it's someone you hold dear :(

Trust the one who deserves it. Trust the WISE ONE. HE will guide your path.(God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?- Number 23:19)

Have a great weekend…

Hugs!!!!!

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 
― Corrie ten Boom

Thank you so much for reading…Mwahhhh

THE WAY OF LOVE :)

Helloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

This Song makes me drunk For King and Country- Baby Boy :)

How are you doing today?
Been having a little writers block :( Couldn't figure out what to blog about today and after much thoughts and goofing around and talking to GOD, I finally figured it out.......It's about the greatest attribute of all time......LOVE!!!!
It's one of the most important, yet, most difficult attribute to abide by....
It's beautiful yet hated.....
It's kinda hard to live by, not because we are selfish or anything but WE have to come first sometimes right?....It's 'ME FIRST' then others follow....

For some reasons, I stumbled on 'for KINGS AND COUNTRY' (heartbroken that BARLOW GIRL wont be singing any more :( Why do all good things come to an end? ) and I'm hooked with their music...They are slowly becoming  a cancer...I love them.....Ok back to our topic....Was listening to one of the songs by 'for KING and COUNTRY'and they quoted this verse from the bible and its' TRUTH!!!

The Way of Love

"13 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

Image source:inspirationaldaily.wordpress.com

² If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

^3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end."

- 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (the message)

Realistically, Can you apply the words in your lives- Like looking for the best in people and not judging or hating them right away....or loving others that you don't hurt them or loving so hard that you forgive?

True Love helps keeps a relationship, like they say "You don’t love a woman because she is beautiful, but she is beautiful because you love her."

The greatest example of love was shown by God and His son, Jesus. Each day we have is an opportunity for them to love us. I also love and Respect the teachers who died for their students in Newton, they proved that one human being can truly love another the way God loved us. Also, I respect the moms and dads and friends and families and volunteers who work tirelessly and show love in more than one way.

Love!!!! It's hard showing it sometimes. But what I do, is tell God how hard it is and beg HIM for strength and Grace to practice true love when dealing with others especially in little things....

Nothing makes sense without love. Preach love today, spread its message, practice it and watch the world become a better place to live in....

Image source: santabanta.com

Wishing you a happy holidays tomorrow!!!!!
Hugs!!!!!!

Thanks a billion for reading :)

EUREKA!!!!!!

Eureka: [yoo-ree-kuh]:I have found (it); Aha!

Hello dear,

How was your day?

Mine was awesome….

I've always wondered how something tiring can be beautiful and fulfilling at the same time…

Ok, tiring cos it’s a long walk (really long)…Beautiful, ‘cos u know u are doing something amazing…I'm referring to my day with the 'so said charity home'

I love spending time with the so said kids and going there today, with goodies and movies was nice…We watched a Christian cartoon together and learnt about obedience and all…

When me and my friend, Endy, were leaving, Some of the kids, Tope especially,  wanted us to stay and most of them wanted to know when we’ll be back. Would never forget the little voices saying 'aunty ijeoma, come back soon'. That was an ‘EUREKA!!!’ moment for me….That moment where I knew I would never stop this, one of my happiest moments in the world...

I love those kids and it’s a privilege to be their friend and to play a part in their lives…The owners of the 'so said home' are doing a beautiful job and I pray God rewards them. Can I hear an Amen? :)

Here are some pictures I took!!! Not so clear though (forgot my other camera) but I needed to capture this moment. One of my best moments this year!!!

My first pics with these amazing kids!!!

Movie time. Theme: Listen, Obey and be blessed!!!

Ok, my fault and the camera's. I'm sowyyyyy :(

Really, it’s always nice to know you are the reason for someone’s smile…Best feeling in the world…Grateful to God for the opportunity to know them, and hope that they don't lose their beautiful innocence, and that one day, they become a positive influence on another special being!!! Can't wait to see them in 2013, God's willing (woot woot!!)

So, what’s your eureka moment this year? And just in case the world ends tomorrow, hehehehehehe (not believing it though), remember I love you and God loves you more :)

"I believe in the spirit of sharing and I believe we are what we are because of those around us.""I am what I am because of other people and they are what they are because of me being around." "One hand cannot clap on its own but it needs the other hand to make a clap." "Many hands make light work.”- Maasai Tribe 

Song of the Day: Innocence by Avril Lavigne

Impact your world positively. Be amazing. Be kind J

Thanks a lot for reading…Hugs!!! 

Moving past the wretched hollow....

Image Source:oprah.com

The lyrics to Imogen Heaps ‘Wait it out’ is beautiful (I think it’s one of the most realistic and soulful song ever)…I don’t think I will ever forget the lyrics to the song… (In bits) ‘Where do we go from here? How do we carry on? Pain on pain, play repeating......Everybody says, time heals everything, what of the wretched hollow, the endless in-between, or we just going to wait it out….’

Yes, eventually time heals everything, it’s not a cliché…We do heal…But the question remains ‘How do we go through the process of healing? How do we survive the long path to a healing process- the wretched hollow, the endless in-between? How do you heal? How can we heal?

Someone once said ‘patience is not how long you wait, but what you do while you wait’…Have you suffered a crazy loss, what did you do while waiting for a healing?

I always recommend praying. Crying, grieving, being with friends and family are wonderful in themselves, but talking to the most high God really does help. He gives us his peace. He is always with us. When Dad died, my mom said we would lose our house and drop out of school for a while. We were hurting then. We were losing it all. Seeing mom cry a lot that period broke my heart. But we survived. Somehow, we passed through it, smiling. All my sisters continued with school and 2 of us are now graduates and our house- We are still creating lovely memories in it…

Image Source: eisakouo.com

Now, I can look at dad’s picture without giving into sad tears, I look at him with joy in my heart, knowing that I was blessed with one of the greatest gifts in the World.

It doesn’t change the fact though, that it was a dark period for me. It doesn’t change the fact that we get to dark periods. But really, time heals all wounds. God is always there with us, healing our wounds, mending our broken heart (Psalms 147:3).

Job’s story is another wonderful life lesson we can let guide us through dark times. Job lost his house, health, wealth, friends and family. Still, he stuck with God and persevered in prayer and came out a happy man. God was with Him and He is still with us.

The point I’m making is, the wretched hollow will come. We would get to the point where we would feel like we are drowned forever in our bizarre situation (it's really a crazy world..Been watching CNN), but really Time heals everything and sticking with the owner of Time, God, is our best bet as we wait it out….

‘If you love life, don’t waste your time, for time is what life is made up of…’ Bruce Lee

Click here for ways to cope with grief...

Move on for the sake of your loved ones and remember to enjoy life and cherish every moment, for you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory…

Have a great day…Praying for you :)

God’s peace to the lil’ angels in Newton and to every one we loved and have lost…
Song of the day: Matthew West, the reason for the world

Thank you so much for reading…Hugs!!!!! J