The upgrade

It was a Friday. Mrs. Emenyi, our Biology teacher had given an assignment that was to serve as part of our assessment for the term. Trust me to have finished my assignment before the due date (Efiko club😂). I put my answer sheet in a book and put my book in my bag since the class rep had not yet started collecting. She said she would collect it in the hostel before we went for fellowship. My younger brother was with me and waited outside the hostel for me so we could go to fellowship together. I got to my room, changed my uniform, got my Bible out when I heard 'submit your Biology assignment'. I reached for my bag and brought out the book and my answer sheet was not there. I thought I was running mad. I replayed my movement from class to hostel and I was sure I put it there. Someone had stolen it. Then I started to cry and went from room to room begging whoever it was to return it, no one said anything. I went outside to meet my brother with swollen eyes. He managed to convince me that I probably forgot it in class. So we went and searched from class to class. Even classes I had not entered since the term began. Then we went to the hall. We didn't find it. I told him to go for fellowship while I went back to the hostel to search. My roommates joined in the search. Still, nothing. They advised me to write another one. How? I spent days on that assignment, how on earth can I come up with answers in few minutes. They said since I did the first one myself, I could do it again.

I tore a sheet of paper and I began to write as they read the questions to me. No one was going to 'show' me their work 😂 I remember tears dropping on the sheet of paper as I wrote. It was like 10 minutes to the deadline of submission. The rep was very gracious, she kept saying 'hurry'. I didn't care how my handwriting looked, I just kept writing. The rep literally raced to Mrs Emenyi's apartment to submit.

Usual boarding school style, I placed curses 😄😄😄 'For my tears, whoever carried my assignment will see tears for the rest of her life'. They started begging me that the curse may 'catch' the person. I said that was exactly what I wanted. Then I went for fellowship and my prayer to God was to help me deal with the person. I got back from fellowship and I was told the person who took it had confessed and said they should beg me to reverse the curse. It was xxxxxxx. She didn't do hers so she planned to copy mine and return before I noticed but she was not fast enough. So she decided to keep quiet and watch me suffer.

Scripts were returned and so many students didn't do too well. I was so scared to look at mine knowing the circumstances. I scored a 16 out of 20. I checked xxxxxxx and she scored a 14. Babe copied that work verbatim. She didn't even have the decency to skip one comma.

How is it that my well thought out work would have earned me a 14 and my work borne out of pain earned me a 16? Sometimes, God scatters our laid out plans for His to be fulfilled. See how I cried my life out over a 14 when He wanted to give me a 16 but because I couldn't see, I wanted to die. Just what if God has a better plan for you but He needs you to first let go. People will deliberately hurt. Sometimes not deliberately. You will be broken at some point. Life is not fair. Sometimes we have our dreams/jobs/marriages/businesses/careers snatched from us by men. But believe me when I say this, it is part of the plan. Do not consider the time you think you have wasted investing into thing or person because we have a God who says:
I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten-- the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm...' Joel 2:25.

Do not cry too long over a dead thing. Focus! You will see the new path He has made.

He will repay. Get ready for your upgrade!

P.s xxxxxxx, wherever you are, you are forgiven. It's because of you I had a 16. I would have been stuck with a 14. You made me know I could do better. I have long left a 16 and now a 1000. So, thank you for helping me discover the greatness in me.

Peace, love and upgrade,

Love.

*If you've been blessed, be a blessing and share to others. I love you all so much 😘😘😘😘😘*

The day I got slapped

The slap that landed on my face felt like Jupiter and Saturn had collided. I could hear sounds from afar that I didn't even know existed and they kept reverberating in my ears. But the shame? Oh the sound of the shame was much more deafening. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared.

How can be do this to me on my graduation day? Is it a crime to love and be loved? So much for being so open and trusting. Is it a crime to be in love at 15?

T and I were very good friends. He would always walk me to my hostel after classes and after night devotion, we would talk till 'Night Out'. He gifted me a pink silicone wristband that had 'Love' inscripted on it. I wore it with so much pride.

During the holidays, I told my parents there was a boy in my class who liked me and who I liked back. I told them I would probably marry him and even showed them his pictures. You see, my family is very close knit. We talk about everything and I only felt it was right I let them know where my heart was😂 They tried to act cool but you could feel how uneasy they were. My dad came to speak to me in my room later. He gave a great pep talk and I killed my marriage dreams.

Only one problem. T had told his mum about me. So on our graduation day, his mum wanted to meet me. T came to call me. His mum was really pleasant. Then she asked to take a picture with T and I. My parents were a stone throw away. We stood for the picture. She put her hand across my shoulder. T then placed his hand on my waist. Lobatan! Camera clicked.

I did not even turn back to look at my parents. I just kept walking straight till I reached the hostel. I picked my luggage and went to the car park. I just finished loading the boot when my dad's hand land on my face and Jupiter collided with Saturn. My dad was furious, 'Why will you let that boy put his hand on your waist. For what?' I cried buckets. There was nothing between T and I but the situation wasn't looking good at all. We got home, I locked myself in my room. As usual, my dad came to knock on my door at night. He apologized for overreacting and said they (he chooked my mother inside the matter. I'm sure she's the one that gave ginger🤔) were only looking out for me and wanted the best for me. It remains one of my most precious memories. We have since chatted about many boys and the reaction is still priceless. #ForeverDaddy'sGirl

Over the years, my dad has been my cover, my protector (no kidding, one time I stopped a cab, my dad told the driver to stand for a picture and then he wrote down the number of the plate🙄I was already a mother!!!), my teacher, my friend, the-reasoning-when-I-don't-want-to-listen and everything else. Thank you daddy for standing by me ❤ I love you. Happy birthday.

Peace, love and cake,

Love.

Where is your hammer?

You know how the Israelites always troubled God? 😂 Well, one time like that (12th Century BC *Yes, I researched), God was so upset with them that he sold them to Jabin, the King of Canaan. To make matters worse, he had one mean commander called Sisera. Jabin had 900 freaking chariots of iron 🙄🙄 and oppressed and bullied the Israelites for 20 YEARS (🙉 You don't want to get on the wrong side of God).

Anyway, God finally had mercy on them. So He instructed the Israelites to form a 10,000 man army and it was to be led by Barak. They had to fight for their freedom after 20 long years.

So Barak led the army of Israel and Sisera led the army of Canaan. Because God was on their side, the Israelites won (You really need God on your side). Sisera however escaped on foot.

This is where the gist is. So he escaped to a family friend's house called Heber. He met his wife, Jael at home. In the past, Heber and his wife were friendly with both the people of Canaan and Israel. But I guess Jael decided to pick a side (there are no grey areas. It's either black or white). She chose to stand with Israel. Sisera really thought Jael was harmless. After all, she was just a housewife. What can a house wife do abi? He made himself very comfortable sef. He asked for water, she gave him milk instead (Tells us she was not a lazy woman, she must have milked the cow herself. God will not entrust his assignment to an irresponsible and lazy person). He drank milk and slept 😅 Commander of life !!!


Jael was the queen of savage😎 The babe for a hammer and a nail (meaning she KNEW how to use those tools to probably fix things since her husband was mostly out. What can a housewife do abi?). She set the nail on his head and used the hammer to run the nail from his head to the ground 😲 (do I still need to write that he died instantly? 😛)

She had been using her hammer to fix things in her house, who would have thought that the same hammer would totally deliver Israel? She fulfilled her purpose right in her home not anywhere else. You are planted where you are for a reason. Your hands are meant for more. We are told their home was very far from where everyone lived yet God used her there.

One woman saved a whole nation! With one hammer and nail! Ees like you don't know how powerful you are. So I'm asking you, where is hammer?

What is that gift or skill God has placed in your hands to deliver nations? That hammer can be your education, voice, confidence, beauty, intellect, friendly nature, business acumen, acting skills, photography skills and yes, your past too. He can use anyone and anything. All her day's of fixing things in her home finally paid off. All your life's experiences is propelling to your purpose.

Find your hammer and use it.


Peace, love and finding purpose,
Love.

I cheated

So the HolySpirit will not let me rest till I confess my sins. So here it goes😊

I got involved with someone who has been lurking around for years. I had managed to keep him away for years but I fell for him in August. He lured me and gave me every reason why I should consider him and finally I accepted. I knew he wasn't right for me but I accepted anyway.

It all began when I was to write my exam.  The volume of the modules were gargantuan. Of the 12 courses, I met only about 5 of those lecturers. Of the 5, I had one contact only with 2. So I began to read myself to death. I didn't just want to pass, I wanted to know. The first 6 exams, I read so much that I had a headache whenever i was writing and my hands would shake as I wrote. My brain could no longer assimilate and that's when he came. He whispered to me to write the key points on a paper and take into the hall with me. I've never done it before', I said. He replied 'Were you taught?' I said 'No'. 'Have you tried to memorize the almost 400 pages put together and it's still not working?' I said 'yes'. He replied 'so you have been cheated. You are only playing by the rules they have set.' That made a lot of sense. I carried the paper into the hall and used it without getting caught. Everyone was shocked after the exam. They all kept making comments like, 'You!', 'So you're like the rest of us', 'I didn't know you too used to carry o'. I was embarrassed. It's funny how I didn't even introduce myself as a Christian but my conduct at the beginning gave me that identification. But now, I was like 'them'. The HolySpirit (HS) kept on nudging me but I would reply, 'they didn't teach me'😂 To make myself feel better, I wrote my points on the exam desk before the exam so as not to take the paper in and wrote on my arm (the hustle😂). The HS was still not having it. Other students were even hailing me because I never got caught during those last 6 exams. The invigilator had judged me a 'good girl' so he never even looked my way. I had an affair with EXAM MALPRACTICE after successful going through 2 degrees without it.

After the exams, I couldn't function well. The memories would always come back as I tried to pray. The excuses I was telling myself did not count before God and so I had to address it. I DID it but it is/was not WHO I am/was. There's a huge difference. I no longer had to live under guilt and condemnation. I am a RIGHTEOUS person not of my own accord but because of who I am in Christ Jesus (Rom 3:26). NOTHING can ever separate me from the love of God😋 His love is a gift. We don't even deserve it but He gives it anyway. He looks past our flaws (cheating, lies, gossip, fornication, adultery etc) and He just loves us. When we finally come to the realization of this love, we in turn would not want to hurt Him by continuing in sin. That's how it works. The Message Translation puts it thus:

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? [😋sorry hater] There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one. None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
Romans 8:31‭-‬39 MSG

So my affair was a short one and it's never happening again. Last class, somebody was even booking to sit down near me by next exams 🙄😲. Not happening!

God has forgiven you. Yes, You. Yes, even for that abortion. Accept His forgiveness and move on. Go and sin no more and love on your God. Because guess what, once you repent, He does not remember that sin anymore. You just have to ask 😘

Peace, love and forgiveness,

Love.

*We will be praying tonight (Tuesday the 17th of October, 2017) 9-9:30pm based on this. Prayer points will be posted here soon. I will have a live video for the last 5 minutes of the prayer so keep a date with us.

*As always, if this has blessed you, share with someone😘

His love never gives up

I stopped going to church for about 2 months. I was asked to leave my church by my head at the time. I could have fought that decision but if we're being honest, I was not in a good place with God. I was not angry with Him, I just did not want to talk to Him. I did not understand how He just sat and let everything happen to me. I used to be amazed at people who stopped going to church just because something happened to them but alas! I found myself in that same position.

I had even forgotten how to sing. I had long stopped being in the Choir even while we were there. My Sunday mornings were like Saturdays, I would do chores and later settle with Tv. The HolySpirit would keep tugging at me. Sigh. To compensate the HolySPirit, I did online services sometimes. I finally went to a church on my own with my daughter. I never understood the messages but my daughter loved the children church. I would time myself for 1 hour till the end of service, then I would take her to the children church and I would pass time in the main church. I soon got tired and missed many Sunday's. I had stopped praying or studying my Bible. I did try to say a few things in the mornings before i stepped out.The HolySpirit still did not let me be.

Then one Sunday, we both dressed not sure where we were going. I stopped by a church. I got in, took my daughter to children church. I went into the main church and during the worship, it felt like I was standing naked before God. I did not get up for the call of first timers. I didn't want anybody calling me just incase I did not commit. My daughter was excited. She learnt new rhymes on her first Sunday. I was glad. And then we went every Sunday for months. And then every mid-week service. I longed to sing again. I joined the membership class and would wait for classes every Sunday. I joined the choir and I was happy again. I was given a lead and people walked up to me after me to give me hugs saying I had stirred up something in them. It's funny how I was in that position few months before. That church was home until I moved again.

I remember the first time I tried to pray again, I actually said 'I don't know what to say but here I am' The first few days were awkward between me and God but I kept at it and He revealed Himself again.

In all these, He never stopped loving me. He refused to let me go even when I let Him go. He loved me with unusual kindness. My needs still continued to be met. The song 'One Thing Remains' helped me during that period.

'Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me
Your love never fails, and never gives up
It never runs out on me
Because on and on and on and on it goes
Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains
This one thing remains'

I felt strongly to share this with you all this morning. I believe it's for someone who is struggling. Rest in His love. You WILL come out of whatever it is. Anybody can fall off, don't be too hard on yourself. He loves you and He is patiently waiting. ❤

Now I'm going to be late for work 😛😛

Peace, love and sunshine.

Love.

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