Your name is a command, and it speaks authoritatively, “No sloppiness, here, it says!” Even on the 31st Day, I still feel that urge to obey youβ¦ so I’ll keep moving.
But before we step any further into the joys of awaiting April. Allow me to thank you for the wonders you brought. When the 82 blessings were declared by Daddy GO, every single day, I recorded a blessing until like Peter, I shifted my eyes from Jesus and looked at the “storm.” Did the blessings stop, no! I just failed to notice them. I’m back to keep records and acknowledging God for His goodness. Hallelujah π π
I’ve dared some challenges in my pursuits, and I’m pushing against the tides, something has to give, and it ain’t me, I’ve got God in and with me. Intentionality is almost a norm, and it feels good to be accountable without stress of ‘a cloud of witnesses’.
If there’s one place that brings me calmness βοΈ and provides serenity amidst all of life’s drama, it is β¦ and March found me there. Mmmhhh, I had a swell time. Let’s do this again soon. π
A grateful shout out to every one of my people who celebrated in March, my prayers to all who encountered loss and pain and my worship to the One who knows the end from the beginning. Baba, You too much o!
Shhh π€« π€ I have to whisper this part, I’ve been having deep conversations with my son, intentionally teaching him how to prepare and cook different stuff. The boy dey try. He doesn’t know it yet but I think he’s few hours away from being taller than me and that will make me officially the ‘shortest’ in my home. π π but until he knowsβ¦.
As he sat to eat breakfast, whilst I watched, the mango lay still in the bowl. I reminded him that though he wanted to be an engineer, he could do anything additionally. After all, he had the fingers of an artist. Yes, he draws and creates cartoons, but I’d love him to do portraits, too.
Shey, you still remember that you can write about anything and turn it into a poem. Yes Ok, let’s create a poem about this mango π₯ Right now? Why not? Let’s call it “The Scarred Mango” No, that will already tell the readers what it is about. You need to intrigue them π π π Ok, we’ll call it “Scarred,” then. Don’t forget to add the time and the date, so you know when you wrote it. Ok.
And we began. But I wrote mine first (as he was eating), moreover, he said he wanted his lines to rhyme π², so he needed to think it through.
Why are you covering yours as you write, π€ mummy? Because I don’t want you to use my lines. That way, yours is an original!
There you go, the first “Scarred” poem is by King-Earl, and I love his poem… very much, actually, because the first time we attempted to do a poem together many years ago about, it was laughable because he was describing the vase and making it obvious. Today is the 2nd attempt, and we wrote separately. These are the results.
It’s in you to become what you think. Think good. Think great and BE! Like Pastor Paul would say, it’s the Creator-Life at work in you!
What do you think about his work?
I am IMAN – I Manifest Adonai’s Nature #UnapologeticallyMe #iman #imaninspires #imanwrites #imaniking
I know we started on a ‘pregnant’ note. Suffice to say your month brought so much my way. Now, I’m not sure where to start from π π. But for one, I’m honing my craft, and I’m thankful for the many celebrations of life… happy birthday again to all my friends and family members. I travelled a bit to a mix of environments. One takes away my patienceπ§, and the other restores my soul π. We had an African birthday thanksgiving…it was worship without bordersπΌπ₯ with Amb. #TheChair.
When you found out it was a leap year, what was your plan? π€ I had some friends celebrate on the 14th, feeling cool. No beef guys, but if you do your calculations well, you’ll discover that people like me were products of love shared on Valentine’s Day or around then. Let the counting begin. You will land in November π€. Having said that, I got the sweetest of love notes… should I share? Maybe not. But it was dripping so much love β€οΈ that my initial vexation dissipated. π π π
Extra warm hugs from me and Abba to my beautiful Big Sis as she experienced the 24th. She’s loved, and she knows it. π€π€π€
Thank you for being the month, I joined the MBS30 challenge with @rebidahosa, and I’m intentional about my Mind, Body & Soul, and will continue till my birthday.
I stayed awake, loving on God and doing the Hallelujah Challenge… it was amazing. Expect to hear from me about this. You just know how to end the month, as I danced into today with Ministers Efe, Dunsin, Mercy and Pst Nath, during the 82 hours marathon praise for Daddy GO and guess what, I’m a partaker of the 82 blessings. Chai! You too much.
I’m already looking forward to March. But let’s enjoy today and Glowreeyah’s River Flow.
I Am IMAN – I Manifest Adonai’s Nature #UnapologeticallyMe #Iman #imaniking #imanwrites #imaninspires
No face was smiling as we engaged in the not-so rigorous activity of putting the stem into the ground under the command of Her Excellency – my mum! Don’t tell her I call her that. Shh.π€« “Take off the leaves π before you put them in the ground.” “Push them in well, or else they won’t grow.” “Space out,” etc.
We continued, sometimes adhering and other times planting them with the leaves! Some were not even put into the ground π, but you know with waterleaves, whether planted or not, at the scent of water, it buds!
As I listened in on the word “Never Forsaken” by Pastor Paul. He talked about the strain of success. Can you handle the additional numbers? “Success is threatened when you don’t have the strategy and structure to handle what comes with greatness.”
You may wonder, “What does this have to do with my little garden?” π€ Remember, we planted waterleaf stem in a rich soil, but as it grew, weeds (some looking like waterleaves) came out too.π§ I wanted to pull them out but couldn’t because the waterleaves spread out nicely and covered everywhere, and then the wisdom of “The Parable of the Wheat and Tares” hit me. “Allow them both to grow until the time of harvest⦔
Today is harvest day, and as I cut the grown leaves to allow it to bloom again, I could easily pick out the weeds! What joy! You see, pruning in whatever form is never meant to hurt you, but to make you bloom more and also get rid of the weeds in your life or around you.
Are you in some sort of pruning periodβ¦ enjoy it, it is working out a far more exceeding weight of glory. I had mine as I planted, watered – even when I didn’t feel like – I learned patience and as I contemplated the future of the garden, I got excited every time I saw a stem or a seed. Like me and my love for writing, the seeds call my name as do my journals.
It’s been a long time coming, but I kept postponing it, praying that you would pick up the cue and desist from thrusting my heart with your harsh words. Yet, your egotistic self, which hides a complex by the way and must be assuaged, continues. I felt like a prey, which must be hunted and subjected to verbal torture and systematic tearing down.
E do! I no gree again!
Hence, I’m reassigning you and the likes of you lot to another compartment. My late mentor, Ubong King, taught me in one of his classes to compartmentalise and don’t get too excited or cocky about it. You are a step away out of the entire cycle.
If I put you in the ‘avoid’ category, it’s not healthy for me either. Nah another level this year, and I’m not dragging rubbish along with me. We have the waste management system to handle that. In other words, shape up or hit the road, Jack!
When will people learn speech boundaries and open their mouth up in wisdom. The good Book says, “Even a fool who is silent is thought to be wise” (My paraphrase) – Proverbs17:28. So, shut up sometimes. Silence is not only golden. It is priceless!
NB: There’s a time to SHOUT o… and I mean it. I’m not referring to those circumstances here.
I choose Joy!
I Am IMAN – I Manifest Adonai’s Nature #UnapologeticallyMe #Iman #imaninspires #imanwrites #imaniking
Are you shocked? π² Well, don’t be. I bet you weren’t expecting to hear from me, neither did I think I’ll do this – it was totally unplanned. But as I ruminate on what you brought to the table this year, I must say, “You get nerve!”
Funnily enough, it didn’t surprise me. I knew you would just play out what has been ordained for you. Don’t expect me to score you, I’ll let others do that. But one of the things I’d say is by His grace, I’m on the 31st with you, and so much has happened, but we are here.
Thank you for the beautiful people I got to celebrate their special day and moments with. Some I didn’t, but I’m glad you gave them that opportunity to feel loved regardless.
As for this breeze, abi nah harmattan, I no understand, but it’s here, and we hear it’s bad for the health. Could you please let us know on time when next you decide to pull such stunts.
By the way, the little garden we started is blooming. It was no fun putting the stems tenaciously into the ground, but when I saw it bud, the joy π was not to be compared. I look forward to watering it now or having someone do it π π€ π
There may be complaints about how you roll, I think we all should be used to you by now and not let December deceive us into living each day without plans, spend all we have in that euphoric atmosphere and then blame you in the long run. π
By the way, after all the promises of a better 2024 and a happy new year, it’s been one tale after another from the skipping prices of PMS to the increasing insecurity and power being withheld just because they can (of course, they’ll defend it and blame it on something) you bin no gree.
I remember those who have transitioned and the bereaved, π π my heart goes out to them. May the God of all comfort, surround you with a peace only He gives. Amen.
I’ve resumed reading, a new craft and mentoring the Heritage and Wana, so they can share their own generational thoughts with me and others. It’s a good thing to have one’s mind expanded. I’ve heard many great songs π΅ ‘Emperor Of The Universe’ by Dunsin Oyekan and Theophilus Sunday, ‘Mmedi’ by Progress Effiong, ‘You Are Great’ by Moses Bliss and the gang and more this month and they are in my head all the time. Thank you.
As much as I’d like to voke, I can’t. Even the dramas I encountered were lesson periods π π . One thing that has been constant is the truth that I’m loved π π β€οΈ and Abba tells me that all the time in the sweetest of ways. You guys know yourselvesβ¦ as always, I yob you.
It was a typical Lagos morning and you know the mix – plenty traffic (human and vehicular), music and horns blaring, and a cacophony of sounds from the rest of humanity. Then the conversation began, “who never pay me?!” demanded the driver. The mediator in the second row began recounting who-owned-what-money she had sent forward to the driver.
Meanwhile, the “culprit” sat silently, caught up in her world. The driver proceeded to park and start a cross examination with the mediator, whilst painstakingly counting the money in his hands and assigning ‘owners’ to them and their potential change, in the event that he couldn’t find his balance, he would hold onto those.
At last, she came forth and the observers wondered why she was initially silent. She claimed to have been on a call and didn’t hear him until the interrogation began. Of course, no one believed her and none voiced it out either, except one and he got a mouthful of invectives thrown at him.
The journey continued, as did the interrogation. The driver queried why she did that and also enquired to know where she would alight, so he could give her her balance. She rained the leftovers of her abuses on him and that gave the observers something to conclude on – and that’s who she is, despite the attempt to look and dress a part.
But I choose to sing, so I won’t engage an uncouth lady, that’s if she was a lady.
“Remember” is not the word you use for someone unforgettable! You simply don’t go a day without reminiscing over something they did or said and even when you do, your life by default responds to what they would have said given the situation you find yourself.
Uncle Sam is present! He is not just present by being here through the legacy he built in lives and communities, for Kingdom and humanity, he is a PRESENT, a gift that we will always be thankful to God for.
When you passed on last year, I couldn’t bring myself to cry, I still haven’t. I went into shock because we had plans about uniting the family, rebuilding broken down altars and changing the few negative narratives around our families for good. Sometimes, when I think about our several conversations from my teenager years – how you encouraged me to speak up, how we would negotiate my ‘punishment’ because I dropped the ball concerning something you had said not to do…I smile. I’m always in your defence, telling all who cared to listen, that you are not a difficult person to live with as long as they obeyed your instructions. But they don’t believe me and truly never did stay long with you, but I did and our friendship (despite the age gap) grew till you passed on.
Being a voracious reader with no TV to watch back then (because you didn’t want one contaminating my values), I remember the look of disappointment on your face when you ‘caught’ me reading a James Hardley Chase! If anyone knows a “Chase” book, you would recall that the cover would definitely be that of a semi-clad woman. But like I told you in my defence, that it was a thriller and had no sexual thingy in it..and boy, I love thrillers! You still felt, the pictures were suggestive and would pollute the mind. You bi Deeperlife Pastor, what did I expect?! I particularly didn’t like the pictures either, but I needed to read the stories. So I resorted to taking off the back…or covering them with used calendar to avoid-stories-that-touch. I think eventually I stopped reading them whilst with you so I don’t feel guilty.
One of our favourite pastime were our conversations! You would ask me what I did during the day after school, write about my holiday when I returned from Port-Harcourt (it was in one of my “How I spent my holiday” that you learnt what I had been up to as I would give details) poor child, what did I know. I was just being myself, saying it the way it is. But these are the values I learnt from you, speaking the truth at all times and with boldness. Our conversations even after I had gotten married, was one that Oba couldn’t interrupt. LOL. He had his own special time with you.
I remember on one of your visits to see Daddy, you said to me, “you guys are still ‘disturbing’ popsie” and I responded, “you know your brother, he doesn’t know when to stop because as far as he is concerned, we will always be his children”. You continued that he still treats you guys as little brothers too even after marriage and children (and I wasn’t even married then) and we laughed conspiratorially because that’s Daddy for you.
Your commission to Ini and I to gather information and write about the family was never done. Will we do it? I don’t know, but one thing I do know is, I will keep sharing your values, the Word, listening to your VNs and reading the few chats I have left of you and remembering the Uncle who became a 2nd father to me.
Happy posthumous 70th birthday to you Uncle Sam, I miss you so much!
If no year has taught us anything, 2020 took us to school and had a spreadsheet of lessons to train us in various ways of living and survival, and live, we did! Sadly, as with all things human, once a phase is passed, we forget the lessons it brought and carry on as usual. But, some of us didn’t!
One phrase or thread you are likely to hear or see in my articles is, “Family is everything!” Another is, “I love Love!” By family, I refuse to limit the definition to those bond to us by blood, but expand it to include relationships that transcend blood and birth to bond via connection and friendship! Everyone should have one or more communities they are connected and committed to, not just for the help the community gives, but for the platform it provides us all to serve and help humanity.
Do you have a community?! Do you have a common union you can fall back on?
Our friend and brother passed on recently in another country far from his nuclear family. It was the community he had joined who reached out to his immediate family to inform them, whilst making plans to ensure his transition was almost stress-free to his immediate family. This is the GOSPEL of Jesus, having communities that propagate what Kingdom lifestyle is all about and living it. Don’t go thinking NGOs and don’t get me wrong, NGOs are good, but before you begin thinking of establishing one, branding it, getting a building and all the nitty gritty of having the papers to run one, we can all have pockets of communities where people can reach out to and find help, support and care. In some faith-based organisations, they are called fellowships, family units, home-cells, house fellowships, these should not only be about spreading the Word or doctrines we believe in, but true care for members.
I’ve been a member of one for a while and though it’s been ages I physically attended a meeting, yet we are constantly in the know about the well-being and welfare of our members. It is not always easy to assist, however, the few times we have stood our grounds and helped, we have had success stories. Beyond these fellowships, I have a group of ladies that we connect and share posts that help with life and sound mental living, we plan on hanging out which has not happened yet (because of our busy lives), but that is one hub we are ourselves, we laugh, cry and pray! Your family can also be a community, but you need to have a common focus and a foundation and no foundation can be best than having the Rock in place, so regardless of the storms and weather that life brings your way, you are still standing.
Being Christ-like is beyond speech and eloquence, it is deeds that show the characteristics of Christ. If we truly walk our talk, then will be fulfilled in our days, “Thy will be done on earth, as is in Heaven” and when there is a ready ground, it is so easy to plant seeds, water and the increase which God gives to come. We need to be the body of Christ in truth. How are you spreading the tents of this gathering, it is greater than the already established unions of the world. It is one (or more, as many as you love to build) which common ideals, faith, beliefs, goals are established and pushed for greater good. Mark those words, “GREATER GOOD”… if we decide to stand together in love and truth, no person or group of persons can overturn decisions we make. Interestingly, we have higher power as supernatural beings, let’s put it to work, your faith has been at ease for too long, work-mode activated!
The message is becoming increasingly clear and it’s no gainsaying, we need to grow our communities and strengthen the bonds of friends and family. Only then can we truly show our love for God by showing up for one another. The Community starts with you, your friends/neighbour, check up on one another, create a hub to log in a “hiya” every morning or evening or an emoji that says how you feel. I just checked up on mine…have you done yours?
I’m wondering if to go full pidgin English on you today or do a mix on this aspect of #MyLagos people. Well, a mix would be delicious, but the core will definitely come as it was said. I maintain, Lagos offers you countless stories daily, if you have seeing eyes and a listening ear, I’m sure where you are does the same too.
So one of those mornings, on my way to work. Our ‘seeming’ peace was rudely interrupted by some actions on the walk-way and of course accompanied by loud noise and spectators. Note to readers: If the action doesn’t have spectators, then it’s not worthy of taking notice of it, spectators just keep moving.
Back to my story: The spectators were finding it hard to contain him from causing bodily harm to his opponent (who is apparently, an annoying bus conductor, who after collecting full bus fare, decides to off-load his passengers half-way) and the next thing we heard from the conductor as he bent and picked up a weapon (a discarded piece of plastic) was, *“e bi like sey you wan wound…” and everyone in the vehicle went “ahhaa” signaling a case of “we have heard this before, all pump and no action”. Funnily enough, the one without the weapon (the passenger) was the one being detained because truth be told, the conductor was all hot air and if the spectators had let go of the passenger, someone would have had a bloodied nose and definitely not the passenger! ππ
Daily, on our way round #MyLagos, we encounter the ‘E bi like sey’ WhatsApp group people, always spoiling for a fight and never having the strength to actually go for the jugular. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not campaigning that anyone be violent, I’m just saying wouldn’t it have been better, if we had a dialogue on whatever the issue was? It’s the same whether the person is learned or an illiterate, there’s this “I-can’t-be-seen-as-a-weakling-syndrome” going around and many have lost their lives or limbs engaging in this conquest, on the highway, I must add! If it is not ‘E bi like sey’, it is ‘Do you know who I am?’ π³ π for this particular set, I think the best response should be, “do kindly introduce yourself, I’d love to make your acquaintance” hilarious! ππ
Well, my charge to you today, is a call to have a rethink about our behaviour in public. Every time that lout or another ‘sane’ thinking person pushes your upset button, stop, count and calm down and ask yourself; Which WhatsApp group am I about to join? How beneficial is what they are offering? Will it do my rep or BP any good? Which brand am I representing right now? I think the answers to these and some other unasked questions, will put you in check. Or what do you think?
By the way, what is it with people (drivers), immediately you indicate that you want to make a turn or change lanes, they quickly close up the space that was in front of them caused by their playing with their phones on a highway – traffic jam or not! Mtschewwwwwwww π€π‘
Glossary: *E bi like sey – it seems *E bi like sey you wan wound – it seems you want to be injured
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