WHEN GOD CALLS I FOLLOW!

I have not been able to find peace or satisfaction anywhere else in this world than at the feet of Jesus. I remember one day when I was brought back from school and my mom was dying. I remember reaching home and throwing my bags down and heading to the tree where mom lay. I always knew that mom worried about her seven children and what they would eat. Worry at times cause her sickness and would even cause her to go crazy at times. I went sat by mom and told her not to worry that God will take care of her. I reminded her of the lilies of the valley and how God cared even for the birds in the air. I asked if I could run and get my bible and read her a verse. As I run and looked frantically in my bags. I saw people running outside. I was scared. All kinds of thoughts run through my mind. Will I see mom again? Will I talk to her or get to read her my favorite bible verse? As scared as I was, I forgot that I had not eaten anything. Hunger was not a need it was a want that week. I didn't feel it at all. A neighbor brought his car to take mom to hospital but she was already so stiff to fit in the little car. Another neighbor had to bring their truck. They put my mom in the back of the truck and rushed her to hospital.

The villagers started to come for the vigil; everyone knew for sure that that was the end of my mom. The dogs backing and cats meowing at night my community believed that that was a sign of death. Fear griped us. My sister Peace and my younger siblings sat sobbing behind closed doors. My older two siblings left with mom and dad to the hospital with other family friend from church. How I thank God for my local church where, that is also where my compassion project was. There was too much sadness that I couldn't bear. I chose to go to mom’s bedroom and sing looking into the mirror. I told myself that if I believed God would answer my prayers. I refused to give my time to the devil and cry. I remembered a story taught at my church about the experience of the Israelite's in captivity and I also refused to sing the song of my Lord in the land of gloom.psalms 137:1-4 

I began to sing a song entitled;

I have the victory

The Lord has given unto me

I have the victory

Because of Jesus Christ

I have the victory

The Lord has given unto me

The Lord has given me the victory.

The battle is the lord’s

The victory is mine so lift up your banner of praise.

As I sung this song I felt strength come over me that shadowed the tears and the pain that was around me. Before I knew it was 1:00am when I heard a knock on the door. Someone had run from the hospital to tell us that mom had regained conscience and the people should go back to their homes there will not be a vigil. I knew that my God had come through again as He always has. I promised Him that I will forever tell this story of how he came through for us.

What are you struggling with? Is lack of faith or are you doubting that God can. Do you know that He is able to do exceedingly above what you think, ask or even imagine? Just believe. He is faithful. He never lies, His word is yes and Amen. I have learned to trust in him. It hasn’t been constant. Ephesians 3:20  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. …I Thessalonians 5: Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.

I pray that the end goal of us seeking God is not for his hand but his face and heart. We don’t seek God that he will only give us what we want but that we shall know him. The end goal of his provision is to know him. It is not the other way round. Let our hearts pant after God; let us not settle for what everyone else settles for. Let us strive to the goal at our places of work, at school, in ministry and every area of our lives. Our relationships, families and even on the streets, when we talk to people let then hear God in us. It is not easy but who said that we should give up?  Let our light shine on the streets for the voice of God cries out prepare the way for me make the cracked paths straight for the King of Glory to come in. Who is the King of glory? He is the Lord all mighty.  He is strong in battle and mighty to save, tell me a single day that he has not come through and I will tell you the day you never trusted even there he was there close to lift you up when you couldn't stand or make the next step. Teach my heart to obey, teach me to surrender, teach me to follow. I am sorry for leading you many times, please help me follow. Those that are his will NEVER be put to shame. Though a thousand may stand against then, He will put them to flight. Trust in the LORD and never give up. Those who trust in the Lord are like mount Zion which cannot be moved but abides.

Now He is called again, He has changed my plans and here we go again. I don’t know what he has in store for this tour but I will say yes and let go of my pursuits. I will follow.

REFUSING TO GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS.

I don’t find peace in going with the flow. I love different, I love trying the scary part of life. Accomplishing what others feel cannot be accomplished. Dreaming big, it’s only in those moments that I feel the energy in life. There are things necessary to life but are not in existence yet and others think of them as impossible and they provide every rational thought which helps with the details necessary to achieve the goal/dream. Rational is not reason to give up, I look at it as strategies needed to be taken to achieve a goal. Healthy critic helps us direct appropriate energy to what is not right and needs improvement for the good of oneself and the entire group. Not forgetting the strength that comes from gratitude and appreciation of the good.
You wake up one morning and there are ideas that keep you restless. Feeling as though gratitude is a rope not worth skipping but yet destiny calls so loud. Enjoying a gift; I believe is making use of it in the best way that you know how. It’s not merely saying thank you which is very necessary too but the practicality of maximizing the gift and being a good steward is the best way to express gratitude in my opinion.

Focusing on areas for improvement and dealing with challenges that may affect our celebration in the nearby future always comes as a result of true gratitude. Well some may say that silence in the moment of celebration is being ungrateful. Celebrating accomplishments and achievements is very necessary. However we should be careful not to blur the vision for tomorrow thinking that we have reached the finish line. There is always a lot to do; the world out there is still suffering injustice, poverty and separation from God. Each one of us needs to find our place in this world, none of us should exist to only achieve personal satisfaction on the expense of who you are meant to be. No man is an Island, you are made for a reason and placed where you are now to either accomplish that or prepare for the next opportunity. No one and nothing in life is a mistake. It is all part of the big picture that only God knows. Be faithful in the here and now and it will all make sense later. There is a longing within each of us to make a difference it’s up to you and I to fill that longing with the right thing. Each one of us is created with purpose find the niche; the world will be different if you did your part.

Each one of us should have an inner drive pushing us to a specific desire for better and greater in each season of our lives. for some a season can last for 3 years or 30 years or more but let us be ready to move when its time. Time is very necessary, knowing the time to move and when to stop. Some people are called of God and fashioned differently and that is OK. There is no reason to apologize for living that which God made you to be. Just make sure that you are grateful and appreciate difference in others. Be a learner, learn from those around you even those you don’t like, maybe the reason you are uncomfortable around them is because they bring out a part of you that you don’t want to change. We all want to be better people. We can make a difference and we can change the world, if we are learners and then find the niche. We read and know lots of people that have done this, we are no exceptions.

Where you were born is not determine who you will become. Our past is just the beginning of the story, the weaving of the tapestry not the whole cloth. Let not the knots and the piercings of the pine needle be the whole package. Look at the bigger picture. It is very hard to do that, I am writing to the choir as the saying goes. It’s been my life, these are lessons I have learned. God has a plan for you and me. Let the terrible past go, look at today; the blessings of the people around you that God has brought your way. Wise men that know the other side where you are going, sit at their feet listen don’t just hear but listen. Many people hear but very few listen. Don’t be stubborn in the rules of your past, yeah they were hard and painted with a lot of injustice; don’t get stuck in that pain, many times it blurs your tomorrow forcing you to constantly make the same mistakes as a way of survival. You think that it defines the world because that is all you know or have known all your life. Be open to learn the rules and principles/guidelines on the other side, different is good many times, tread on new waters and new skies, let go and fly. Something that David Dahlin my hero always says, “Lois at times you just have to let go and trust God.” He is a gift from Heaven, he is one of those untold hero’s a man of excellence but yet also humility. A man I have learned listening from. He will listen at any time. When talking to him, it feels like it’s just me in the world, yet he will give grace and wisdom at the same time. I think he can excel as a pastor, dad and executive. So gifted but yet doing it unto the Lord not seeking human approval. When I grow up, I want to be just like him.

God also blessed me lately with another wise coach. He gives me life and strength to be who God created me to be. When we love the different person that we are, we make different choices wise choices that others may fear to make. But I know that being vulnerable is key to success. I have discovered the resources available for me just by being graciously transparent and vulnerable. Knowing my past and testimony, it should be the hardest thing to do. But I refuse to be held back in the past and in the hard and choose to try out flying. I will say that my wings are gaining strength a step at a time but when they get strong enough. You will be surprised how high I can reach.
Next time, I will be counting my blessings and naming them one by one! I am so blessed. Thank you Jesus.

Lover of song lyrics

Songwriters: AHLSTROM, LEONARD / CRAIG, ANDREW SHAWN

I been walking through the desert
And I been talking to myself away too long
It gets lonely when you're the only one
Who hears you when you say you need someone

I'm ready for the rain to fall
I'm ready for your heart to call
My name so loud, it cracks the clouds
And your love comes pouring down
I'm ready for the rain

I prayed for mercy from the heartache
But I was thirsty for a river I couldn't find
Then I found you and you opened up the sky
And I knew you're the reason why

I'm ready for the rain to fall
I'm ready for your heart to call
My name so loud, it cracks the clouds
And your love comes pouring down
I'm ready for the rain

Dust and pain just washed away
The moment that you walked my way

I'm ready for the rain to fall
I'm ready for your heart to call
My name so loud, it cracks the clouds
And your love comes pouring down
I'm ready for the rain, I'm ready for the rain
Ready for the rain