ONE

" You get sense so?". My mind which had drifted away was abruptly brought back to consciousness as I listened to the banter between my cab driver and a street urchin as we were stuck in traffic. The young lad had tried to earn a few bucks by cleaning the windscreen of the cab with his handmade screen cleaner which had been infused with detergent. "If I no get sense, no be here I go dey, na hospital you go see me", the young boy shouted back angrily as he wiped the detergent he had already put. The cab man, old enough to be his grandpa replied "Get out!". The boy retorted, "You too get out! Just talk say you no get money".

The boy walked away to other vehicles. About a minute later, he returned back with a N500 note and went by the driver's window to taunt him; "see wetin your mate give me". Just then the traffic light turned green and we had to move.

This is Nigeria! This is life! Everywhere hustle! I admired his tenacity (although laced with bad manners) but he had to survive. He was of Primary school age and should have been in school yet there he was hustling during school hours.

I was reminded of my desire to get all kids who should be in school off the streets but I immediately felt demoralized. There are millions of them across Nigeria. UNICEF reports that 13.1 million children who should be in school are on the streets. But I can start with ONE. And that ONE can go on to empower another. Children should be taught that they can be creators of wealth and not jubilate over a meagre N500 😣.

Redemption Academy gives at least 3 FULL scholarships every year and this year, my husband and I would be getting at least one child off the streets. If I start with ONE, you start with ONE and another starts with ONE; surely the goal is attainable. #ProjectONE

Do something for someone who is not in a position to pay you back. This is what true love should looks like. This is the God kind of love. He laid down his life for people who not only did not deserve it but who could not pay back. If you would like to start with ONE, do let me know.

Happy Almost- Valentines- Day.

Peace, love and sunshine.

Your favourite writer girl,
L.E.S

Stones, wells and water

YOUR BREASTS ARE LIKE THAT OF AN ELEPHANT.
STUPID.
SENSELESS.
YOU CAN NEVER BECOME ANYTHING WITHOUT YOUR PARENTS.
FAT.
UNATTRACTIVE.
LIAR.

These were some of the 'stones' said to me and thrown into my well (heart). Stone by stone; brick by brick they filled my well and began to overflow. I began to have a physical manifestation of the things in my heart. A well that was meant to flow with water began to flow with stones. I was unhappy with myself and everyone else. It irked me to see someone happy. I could not see anything good about the world. My well was full. Not with water but with stones.

Luckily, I soon got a grip of myself and opened up about my struggles. It helped that I found a living church after my time away from church for a long time. I started a new Bible and prayer plan and stuck with it no matter how difficult it was. Slowly, the Holy Spirit began to replace every stone and filled me up with water. The living water. The joy you see me exude on the outside started on the inside. Now when I flow; it is no longer bitterness, self pity, depression or rage, it is peace, joy and happiness.

'Stopping' of wells is an ancient instrument of war. It involves filling up your enemies wells with stones or dirt until they bow (Gen 26:14-15, 2nd Kings 3:5-19). This is because the enemy understands the importance of water.

The good news is that you can dig out the stones. Isaac dug again until he found living spring water (Gen 26:18-19). The enemy can only try, you choose how the story ends.

* This is from a message I preached in February and I've gotten so many requests for it in text version. I hope it blesses one person out there.

Peace, love and a truckload of sunshine in 2019.

Your favourite writer girl,

Love.

The girl you raised has come back to say thank you

If you can think well, you will thank well - Rev. Mrs. O. Omoraiyewa.

I was sitting on my own and minding my business when I got a call that I had been nominated by @oleiray_ for a 'Single Mums' financial grant this year. I did not lobby for it. Heck, I did not even know anything about it. The most surprising, I and @oleiray_ have never met before. We are virtual friends. Few minutes after that call, my account was credited woth N50, 000. Just like that! Thank you Tope. Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me especially those who have never met me before. @momentshatinators sent my baby a gorgeous fascinator. Someone else made her a dress. I cannot even begin to mention all. I don't even feel qualified to answer 'single mum'. I have had it too easy. Nifemi has so many daddies, mummies, uncles and aunties. You all have given us soft landing and eased the burden. Thank you.

I had my first solo event and you all showed up for me. I had volunteers who gave their time and energy to #AnEveningWithLove. It was powerful. I never remained the same after that. It was also the first time I fasted One week straight without food because I was in dire need for a manifestation from God and He showed up. I am also thankful to my best friend Ehigocho Samuel who ran with the vision and supported me every step of the way. My book #31Mornings was released and again you all purchased and made me sell out. Every. single. copy. has been purchased. You guys bought in bundles. This book has been to 5 continents of the world. (Show up for my next book o #BeforeIDieI'llLive 😁). Payments have been made for the reprint which is not yet out. Thank you.

I got into the studio this year and released a fire worship song with the best friend that topped many downloading forums for a long time. I was featured in a magazine. It felt good to see my name up there. I stepped out of my comfort zone of writing and had a few speaking engagements. Money met money in my hands this year. Thank you.

I made so many decisions in December last year that did not make sense. It did not make sense to leave a great thing for nothing just because God said so. It did not make any sense then but this year, everything became crystal clear. Thank you

My daughter again topped her class making me the proudest momma ever 😁😁😁😁. Thank you.

People have met me the most for counselling. People have traced me to my tiny office to ask me to mentor them. I got tired of running and just accepted that purpose had found me. I have prayed and warred with and for people I did not know and I saw God move. Thank you

Just when I thought 2018 was over, I received my breath taking Christmas gift a few days to Christmas. Thank you.

Dear Lord, the girl you raised has come back to say thank you.

Peace, love and hot naija jollof.

Your favourite writer girl,

Love.

Upgrade

A S D F SPACE COLUMN L K J. No I'm not talking jargon. This is the first lesson in typewriting. For the right hand; the pinky finger on letter A, the ring finger on S, the middle finger on D, the index finger on F and the thumb on the SPACE BAR. The next set of instructions are for the right hand.

I know this because my father made my brother and I attend Typewriting classes every holiday. It was annoying. The instructor was stern. We resumed at 8am and closed by 3pm. My father was determined to equip us with the right skills for the future. The future is here and no one uses a typewriter. My smartphone does the same job a computer would do today.

It was with pride my mother handed me a diskette that contained her final year project. It was a dream of hers to show it to her child. I never saw its content because the world now has a new means of storage- flash drives and hard drives. Diskette makers are either out of jobs or have had to evolve.

Pen pals were the happening things in my secondary school days. We would write letters to people we knew or didn't know in far away places. Now a facebook message would do.

Growing up, young girls had the idea of a tall, dark and handsome man as the perfect dream man. Now we see that it was only an illusion. Perfect gentlemen come in tall, short, chubby, slender, dark, fair, chocolatey, handsome, not-so-handsome, just-there handsome versions.

In the past, we needed to study a lot of books to answer simple questions. Now, a simple google search would do.

Even in Bible study! We needed to memorize a lot of scriptures. We should still do. But a quick search on google and the verse in need comes up. We can carry 20 translations of the Bible in one smartphone today too.

You can actually sit in your room now, attend online courses and get a degree. The future is here.

Now we hear and have seen robots who now handle basic human responsiblities. In the next 10 years, many people will be out of jobs.

You can actually pound yam with a food processor. Yes, it comes out perfect

My point is, the world is evolving and you must evolve with it. Upgrade yourself. Don't be comfortable with what seems normal now because the future that is now is going to be extinct tomorrow. Learn new skills, take new courses, keep striving to become a better version of yourself. In summary, UPGRADE.

Peace, love and sunshine.

Your favourite writer girl,

Love.

Death to puff puff

Somewhere along the way this year, I fell off the healthy wagon and picked up a new hobby; eating hot puff puff EVERYDAY. It was all fun and games till I could not find my waist again.

When I realized how far I'd fallen with the most infinitesimal strength to resist, I would actually pray for the puff puff seller not to make that day; or that the hot ones should have finished by the time I arrived.

Best believe I had to pray for God to deliver me from it. God took me on a journey and made me understand that puff puff was not my enemy and could not tempt me. My weakness towards puff puff was my enemy. If I had no interest in puff puff, then it had no power over me. I cannot imagine being tempted to take alcohol. I have zero interest in it and so it has zero power over me. If you give in to your weaknesses, they will control you.

It's been 2 months since I successfully weaned myself away from puff puff and I'm gradually recovering some of the waist line😏 Everyday, I realize what damage I did to my body but thankfully I can recover it back.

Temptation does not originate from God but from our own flaws. For God cannot be tempted by what is evil and He himself tempts no one. The illicit desire gives birth to sin and when sin has run its course, it gives birth to death. James 1:13 - 15.

No, it is not God (puff puff as the case may be) that caused you to fall. It was your illicit desires. Take control of your thoughts and you can take control of your desires. You can win over sin!

Peace, love and death to puff puff,

Your favourite writer girl,

Love.

P.s Thanks for all those who have sent me messages checking on me since I have been away. I am alright but the new book #BeforeIdieI'llLive which will be available for purchase in February, has been taking so much of my time. I will be fully back shortly. Xx

You are SOMEONE.

I did an introduction of myself sometime ago on my social media pages for the new followers that had just followed me.

On one of the platforms, someone was concerned that I did not have 'Wife' in the list. He was concerned he did not see a mention of husband anywhere. He was worried I might be another feminist from the lineage of Chimamanda. Another asked 'When are you getting married?'

It did not matter that I had 3 degrees.

It did not matter that I had worked in print media.

It did not matter that I deprive myself of sleep on most nights to continually put out content on social media that edifies because that is my ministry.

It did not matter that I wrote a book that not only reached 5 continents but sold out and is now published on bambooks to be read online. #31Mornings

It did not matter that I am the School Administrator of a mega institution.

It did not matter that I have a teenagers' ministry.

It did not matter that I hosted my first solo event and people actually turned up.

It did not matter that I single-handedly provide and raise my child.

It did not matter that I am a worshipper and God uses me to heal people through songs and writing.

While being a wife is great (and I will be one some day because I desire it); you have to be SOMEONE first. I say this without apologies; you were not born to be a wife or a husband.

You were born with a purpose and a mandate that should be fulfilled. Getting married, having kids, having siblings; are ADDED blessings from God but they should not take away the core of who you are.

Before you are a wife/husband, father/mother, sister/brother; you are SOMEONE. If you do not pour into yourself first and discover who you are, you can't function in any of the above mentioned roles effectively.

Be someone.

Peace, Love and self discovery,

Your favourite writer girl,

Love.

* P.s if it blesses you, then hit the share button. 😘

Kaduna crisis and how you should live your best life.

 " I'm going to wear my new top tomorrow", I boldy declared to bestie. "Let's go and visit Mrs X now because I want to have my Sunday afternoon sleep and be ready for the long week ahead". I said. "So you finished all that kunu without giving me", I said to him again as I silently planned my revenge.

"Let us park and walk the rest of the way" bestie said as we approached Mrs X's house. We did. It was a lovely visit filled with good humour and laughter. We walked back to the car and drove off to meet up with the fam.

More laughter and jokes. Even my good ol' wig was not spared in the diss. Quick hugs, we all went our separate ways with a promise to see each other later.

Phone rings! 'Kaduna is on fire.' Another religious crisis. Phew! Panic as the fam was on the way back to their base. Next news, one of them was stabbed and alone. Others had escaped and were safe. Next news: '24 hour curfew.' We could not go to them, they could not come to us. The ertswhile laughter was replaced with tears of sorrow.

Good Samaritan manages to get the injured to a hospital. He is fine. We are grateful for the goodness of God. We are sad for the ones we know personally who were not lucky. Like us, they had plans for tomorrow, which is the today they never saw.

I did not get to wear my new top today, there is no 'long' week ahead of me as I am currently indoors instead of working. I am not thinking of how to punish bestie for drinking kunu without giving me. What I would give for 'small' blessings like taking a walk without fear?

It's funny how in the blink of an eye, EVERYTHING can change. It's why I live my life to be ridiculously happy and fulfilled. Tomorrow is not promised. Do the things you want to do now, today! Dress like it's a party, Love like a teenager, Travel if you have the means. Whatever you do, live your best life.

#PrayForKaduna.

Peace, peace and more Peace,

Your favourite writer girl,

Love.