When Wives Pray

Remember a few years ago when we embarked on The Power of a Praying Wife , well i'd like to invite you to participate in a slightly updated version of the program starting on the First of November titled “When Wives Pray”, where we will embark on a 30day journey in which God will teach us to intercede for our husbands (to be), not as a means of controlling them, but of refreshing and restoring our marriages and laying a solid foundation for those yet to be married, by surrendering all claim to power in and of ourselves, and relying on God’s power to transform us, our husbands (to be), circumstances, and marriage.

Is this for only married women? NO! It’s for everyone who considers herself a wife, especially those who are single. Proverbs 18:22a “He who finds a wife finds a good thing” – you are not a wife when he marries you, you’re a wife when he finds you, you become HIS wife when he marries you. A ring doesn’t make you a wife, your character does.

Is this for only those in troubled marriages? NO! While God “will restore the years the swarming locust has eaten” – Joel 2:25, and resurrect dead places in the marriages of those who embark on this journey, He will also refresh, revitalize and strengthen great marriages while impacting areas of your husband’s life (finances, spiritual walk, health, friends, protection roles as a father, etc..) you would like to see His mighty hand on.

If you would like to join a host of other wives to invite God’s power into your husband’s life and receive free daily prayers via email please sign up "HERE ".

Worrying about your marriage changes nothing, but praying about it can change everything.

P.S please share and tell as many women as possible.

Update : As at 10 Nov 2017, registration for the last challenge of 2017 has closed. The challenge will reopen again in 2018 - date to be confirmed. You can still register, and will be given more information on the start date when it becomes available.

Like a lamb to the slaughter

“He is a big joker! So he wants me to be all lovely dovey but when it’s time for him to give me emotional support he will be missing in action! He can’t have it both ways, only emotionally present with happy me, but missing in action when I’m down. Just thinking about it makes me so mad! I really needed him, but he really just couldn’t be bothered. I mean, if I can’t expect this of him, then who can I expect it from?”

I could hear the pain in her voice and I knew her question was meant to be rhetorical, but I had an answer for her, so I pulled her into a warm hug to calm her down which I hoped would make her more receptive to the lecture I was about to give, one I’d received not too long ago myself.

Yasmin had been married for only a few months, but had come to an emotional impasse that threatened to destroy her marriage. One I was trying to get to the bottom of. Her husband had recently started complaining that she was suddenly emotionally distant. It didn’t take me long to figure out what the problem was, she was dying to open up to someone- anyone, just not him. At least not anymore.

Source: Pinterest

An old friend of hers recently lost his son, and it hid her hard. Even though they hadn’t been in touch for a while, she’d never heard him sound so broken. She tried as much as possible to be there for him and his family, but it was emotionally draining. She’d reached out to her husband for comfort, but hadn’t gotten the response she felt she needed. It wasn't the first time, or the second, and frankly, she was tired, so she switched off.

Pulling away, “What I’m about to say may not be what you want to hear right now, but I’d like you to give it some thought. Can you do that?”

Taking her slow nod as a sign of cooperation, I began my story.

Before Charles and I got married, I'd had lofty dreams of what my marriage would be like. He would be my indestructible emotional rock! God forbid I was ever sad, he would never let a single tear drop from my eyes but would always be there with a warm hug and listening ear. The wedding day came and went, and reality quickly set in. Needless to say, I was an emotional wreck. Mind you, i’m not what one would call the emotional type. For years I’d done a good job- an excellent job actually, of hiding my feelings well, so a part of me was looking forward to sharing them with someone I felt I could trust and allow myself to be vulnerable with. It was a really difficult time for me at work but it was like Charles was completely oblivious to my needs and incapable of providing the emotional comfort I needed. When I needed a hug, he gave me a pat on the back. When I needed him to just listen, he gave me 10 ways to resolve the issue. So I started to slowly shut down. It wasn’t intentional. I just didn’t know what to do with this new me. I hated been vulnerable with someone who I didn’t feel was supportive, so I began to revert to the old me. But the more feelings I held in, the more I began to resent him. What was the point being married to someone if they can’t meet my emotional needs? But I hated who I was becoming. Something had to change, and change they did.

Ben was all that Charles wasn’t. Attentive and affectionate. So it was easy to.....

 To be continued

I told you so

Her constant pacing was making me uncomfortable. “Umitta, please sit down. This isn’t helping.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” She snapped. “I’m sorry. I know you are only trying to help.” She said sinking into the chair opposite me. “But it’s just soo frustrating. I told him this would happen, but he wouldn’t listen. He never listens!”

I knew I had to calm her down when she got up and started pacing again.

“Let’s go for a walk.” I said walking towards the door. The fresh air would do her some good.

Her husband had just lost his job. He’d gotten a job offer from a rival firm a few months earlier, which he had turned down against her advice because he was expecting a big promotion and bumper raise at work. Instead, he was sacked!. So even though I knew she was dealing with a variety of very different emotions, i wasn’t entirely sure which Ummita I was dealing with per time. Was it sad, mad or scared Umitta?

“What are we going to do? We just bought that land in Sango Tedo, so don’t have much in savings. How are we going to survive? I warned him this could happen, but he just wouldn’t listen. He never listens!”

Source: Pinterest

“Why did you come to me?”

“Huh? I don’t understand.”

“Out of everyone you could have spoken to about this, you came to me. Why?”

“Errr....I don’t know.”

“I think it’s because you thought I’d see things your way and possibly side with you.”

Her mouth opened as if to deny it, but was quickly shut because she knew I was spot on.

Ummita and I are very similar. We have the same “gift”- a gift which was a borderline curse during the first few years of my marriage. You see, we are able to tell the future. No, not in some mystical or psychic way, but…. It’s hard to explain. Just think of it like women’s intuition on steroids. We have this funny way of playing out a million different scenarios in our head, and somehow instinctively knowing what the outcome of almost all situations will be.

“Humor me a sec, I want to show you something.”

“Ok”

“Imagine I want to give you this key” I said holding out my car key. “But you get it under one condition- that you catch it when i throw it”

“Ok”

“I think if we both close our eyes when I throw the key, you have a better chance of catching it.”

“That’s utterly ridiculous” She laughed. “Both our eyes need to be open so you can throw it in the right direction, it’ll give me a better chance of catching it”

“Trust me. This will work. Now just close your eyes”

Watching her reluctantly close her eyes, I took a few steps back. Closed my eyes, and threw the key.

“Did you catch it?” I yelled.

“Of course not!  I told you it wasn’t going to work.”

“Yeah you did, but do you have the key?”

“I already said I don’t”

She didn’t get it. I had to try a different tactic.

“Ok, lets try this again. I’m gonna tell you something a very dear friend of mine told me before Aden and I got married, something that would probably have saved me a lot of grief if I’d taken heed of a lot earlier than I did.”

“Ok” she sighed. I could tell she was getting slightly impatient.

“She told me never to tell my  husband I told you so .”

I saw her mouth open as if to say something.

“Babe, let me land first.” I said before she could say anything. “I got married thinking- no, knowing I was smarter than Aden. After all, situations proved I was always right, so I didn’t understand why he’d have an opinion contrary to mine, and I loved to tell him so every opportunity I got. The more I told him I told you so the less he sought my opinion and the more mistakes he made. It got to the point where I patiently waited for him to make the mistakes I knew he would so I could tell him I told you so.”

I could tell my words had started to sink in, so I continued.

“I didn’t trust him to make the right decisions, and he didn’t trust me to support any decisions he made. It was a vicious cycle that threatened to destroy our marriage, because I didn’t trust his ability to make what I presumed to be the right decisions, I wasn’t in support of anything he wanted to do, even if it was right. It was spiraling out of control, it was no longer us against the world, it had become us against each other and I was powerless to stop it.”

“So what did you do?”

Laughing and shaking my head, I continued. “I fasted and prayed. Then fasted some more. I prayed that Aden would quit being soo stubborn and would listen to me. I prayed that he’d realize I was always right and fall in line!”

“Did it work?”

“Nope. Nothing changed, well except maybe my weight, I think I lost about 5kg from all the fasting.”

I could tell she was now slightly confused.

“To cut the long story short, a book by Stormie Omartian called The Power of a Praying Wife, found its way to me. It outlines specific areas women should pray about concerning their husbands. I thought it a little strange that the first set of prayer points were for wives to pray about ourselves. I mean, I wasn’t the problem, but it was a small price to pay to get him to fall in line.”

“Did it work?” she whispered.

“It took a while, but yeah, it did. Though not in the way you think. God convicted me in a major way! I was the one who needed to change. I felt my heart fill with the realization that it wasn’t about me, or what I wanted, but about what was right for us, because i can never want better for my family than God wants for us. The first thing I had to do was stop saying I told you so, the second was to lay down our opinions before God and ask for direction, conviction and humility concerning His will. If I was still convicted about my choice, the right thing to do was pray for Aden, generally that God would make him a man that I could trust to make the right decisions, a man that would hear His voice clearly concerning all things, and specifically that God would convict him concerning the issue at hand, and give him the humility to make the necessary adjustments. If I was wrong, then I had to humble myself and make the necessary adjustments. God showed me that I had elevated the “gift” He had given me for the benefit of Aden and I above Him. I realized that if I felt Aden was going down the wrong path, it was God and not my superiority complex that would get him back on track. In marriage there is no I. What affects one affects both. But what struck me the most was that most times, neither of us was right, there was often a different path God wanted us to go down.”

“Oh my God!”. She sobbed.

Realizing she was crying, I pulled her into a tight hug.

Creamy Banana Bulgur Porridge

They say i have a problem. A bread problem. Some say I’m addicted, but I’d say is more an intense love like for bread. My husband has been trying to get me to google “the dangers of too much bread”, even though I keep telling him that after me, bread is the best thing ever created. K go on, I dare you to dispute that.

At the beginning of the year as we always do I decided to make healthier choices with regards to my diet. In the past and by past I mean up until last week, I’d usually have either bread, cereal, bread, pancakes or bread K  for breakfast, that better not be judgement I hear coming from you! Yes I love like bread. Bite me! Anyhooo I decided to 

The Worse Kind of Betrayal (Part 1) : Regret

 I grasped my chest with my left hand and I tried to steady myself with my right, as the first jolt of pain ripped through me. I silently gasped for air and thought to myself, so this is what it feels like to die, as my knees began to buckle.

“Bidemi! Oh my God! Bidemi!” Bode yelled as he reached out to grab me.

Maybe it was the sound of his voice, or the touch of his hand, but in an instant, new life was breathed into me.

“Don’t you dare touch me” I said as I regained my footing and my eyes started to sting. I rolled them back and took a very deep breath. Don’t do it. Girl don’t do it. My initial reaction was bad

God inhabits the PRAISES of His people

I can remember January 1st 2014. My sister and i had spent the day with our cousin and her family. Now, i what appears to be the blink of an eye, January 1st 2015 is less than a month away. 

I haven't ticked off all the things on my "to be accomplished in 2014" list, but i have soooooooo much to be thankful for- even if it's to thank God for everyday this year that He has blessed me with life.

Life means there is hope. It means i can still accomplish great things - we can still accomplish great things.

So i wanna

When friendship goes too far (Part 2)

“What arrant nonsense, Jimi can never try that rubbish with me”.

She put her hand on my shoulder.

 “My dear you have to confront him, nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. Stand your ground; let him know that you won’t take such nonsense. Imagine! A married man going around claiming to have a woman other than his wife as his best friend. My dear, that’s how it starts oh”

Source: Pinterest

I turned to look at Uju. She smiled as she finally spoke.

 “I’m waiting for Chi to finish. Are you done?”  

Traffic of Life

This is so irritating, I thought to myself as I sped the short distance to the gate. I honked the horn about 3 times then got out of the car to open the gate myself. I’ll have to have a word with him when I get back home tonight, he knows I leave the house before 6.30am, he should be ready and waiting. I shouldn’t have to be the one to open the gate for myself I thought as I rushed back into the car. This little activity had set me back a minute, which equates to at least 10mins in Lagos traffic.

I was right. The express was blocked! What to do? What to do? What to do? I seemed to be all out of options, but I felt a leading to take the service lane, which looked even more

Apase wa ni pa ase re la fi da ohun gbogbo (The one who has authority to give orders, and by His orders have all things been created)

Where do I start?

Where do I begin?

What can I say, that will do your awesomeness justice?

I cried out.

You heard me - showed up even before the tears dried on my face.

It was no match for You.

Even before You spoke, it trembled in awe of You.

You commanded.

Who has the final say?

I'm on a roll this morning! And no I’m not trying to bribe any one for my absence. I should actually have started with an apology/ explanation (which will come soon) however I feel its best I get the Word out before I grovel and beg for forgiveness.

So yesterday after work I went to church, for those who work in V.I and are trying to get to Oregun, you understand what a nightmare that can be. But alas, my awesome God got me there in good time and no it wasn't because I was bombarding Him with "Lord please get me there in time" prayers. Ok well maybe it was. Sha, sha whatever the reason was, I got to the car park 30 mins into the start of the programme.

However, just as I pulled in, a bus was pulling out (the actual church is a bit of a walk from the car park we use, so the church provides buses to transport us there). 

Anyhoo, I parked, and made my way to the queue to wait for the next bus, which thank God pulled in less than 5 or so mins after the one I missed. I was glad when we boarded the bus, a feeling which quickly disappeared once the driver got out- there were only about 6-7 of us on the bus, so he had to wait for more people (that hadn’t even arrived at the car park oh!!!) or the next bus to arrive. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw another bus by the gate, surely now we can go. But the driver of our bus didn't seem to be making any moves. And 3mins later I knew why- none of the cars outside had moved. The traffic was so bad that this second bus couldn't even turn into the compound because the car blocking the gate hadn't moved in ages.

That was when I decided to walk. I hopped out of the bus and hurriedly made my way to church. I tell you now, I wasn't prepared for what I saw when I got to the road. The bus that pulled out when I was just getting to the car park was maybe only 5 meters from the gate! Yes! The traffic was that bad!!

I over took the bus. The bus that I so desperately wanted to get on probably got to church 10 mins after I did!

What's the moral of this story? Well ....Proverbs 14:12-13 There's a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again (with your spiritual eyes- emphasis mine)—it leads straight to hell. Sure, those people appear to be having a good time, but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

And no! I am not saying the people on that bus were going to hell, but that sometimes we see what's happening to others and we get jealous. We may have prayed for ages and all the things we've prayed about seem to be happening to everyone else, while we are 10 kg lighter due to the fast that we always seem to be doing. BUT! Oh yes, that blessed but! We serve a God who is able to compress years into months. That bus left the stop before I did, and under normal circumstances was maybe 7 mins ahead of me, yet I overtook it by walking! Imagine! My feet overtook a bus!!!

I’m still in awe of He who is able to do exceedingly more than I can ever ask or think. He indeed has the final say. Hallelujah.

Agbani Lagbatan

That is His name

May, gone so soon......

I do apologise for my long absence.... i have no excuse. Regardless of how busy i might have been i should have made time out to write.

May was a very special month for me. Yours truly got invited to speak/present at a fellowship! Yes oh! Lil'ol me! The fellowship had organised an outreach/ love feast and the fellowship leader invited me to be one of the speakers. I'm particularly glad because i got to share the experience with some of my closest and dearest....my brother, sister and a dear friend! Thank you guys for your moral support and feedback after - apparently my hand gestures were a bit distracting. Note to self- tone it down a bit a lot.

I’m especially grateful to God for providing me with the opportunity to share His word (my passion) with others. *Sigh* I can’t wait to do it again.

So that was the highlight of May for me. Till next time

XOXOXOXO

Can 2 walk 2gether unless.....?

Here's an awesome devotional from the Word for Today that i just had to share. Read, enjoy and be blessed     E-V-A-L-U-A-T-E

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?? Amos 3:3

A successful marriage is based on two things: 'finding' the right person, and 'becoming' the right person. And the second thing is harder than the first. Just because two people share the same bed and the same name, it doesn't guarantee harmony. Here are some practical suggestions based on the word E-V-A-L-U-A-T-E: Enjoy. Do you enjoy the same things? Maybe it's not a big deal now, but later when your husband is glued to the big match on TV and you want a little conversation, it will be. Values. The Bible asks, 'Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?' Are you able to agree on major issues such as intimacy, parenting, finances, in-laws, goals, and your relationship with God? You may disagree over many things, but these are make-or-break issues. Accessibility. Are you both emotionally accessible, or is he the strong silent type who doesn't communicate-or understand your need to? Love. Do you really love each other? Not the Hollywood version but the kind that listens to your spouse's opinions and concerns, overlooks their faults and failings, values them, and expresses itself through kindness? Understanding. As surely as God doesn't make two snowflakes alike, He doesn't make two people alike. So, can you understand and handle each other's differences? Appreciation. Your partner can't read your mind, so get into the habit of expressing your appreciation for one another. Temperament. If you're naturally upbeat but they're moody and introverted, you may have an oil-and-water mix. How will you handle this? Environment. If you're from different backgrounds, are you comfortable in the same social and spiritual settings? If you want a happy marriage, E-V-A-L-U-A-T-E these things.

Self Esteem FREE GIVEAWAY

                                             

Why is this book a most read for everyone?

Your partner needs your help in becoming alert to God’s WHOLE truth about him/her self. As that truth takes up residence in his/her life, he/she will begin to spot the lies and counterfeit thoughts of the enemy in his/her life.

I’ve read only about 3 chapters and I’ve already discovered unintentional ways I might activate dormant or even worsen self esteem issues in my partner. The book really does go beyond the obvious and;

1.      Explores the little clues that may allude to the existence and type of self esteem issues your partner may be struggling with

2.      Provides foundational help in building self esteem

3.      Strengthens your understanding of why your partner acts the way he/ she does

4.      Provides some universal precepts that will give hope as you begin helping your partner become free from the shackles of a poor self image

5.      Has esteem builder projects- practical application exercises that you and your partner can work through

What do you have to do to win?

To enter perform any of the options from No. 1 AND No. 2 below

Entry Rules

1.      You may perform any one from the following entry methods (to increase your chances of winning, you may perform up to 2):
a)  Like our facebook page by clicking here

b)  Follow us on twitter by clicking @EzerMeet

c)  Tweet about this promotion using this key word #EzerMeet and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
d)  Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
 

2.      Number your entry (so if the person who commented before you is 1, you’ll be 2 and the next person 3....e.t.c.)

3.      Giveaway closes on the 30th of April 2013, and the winner will be selected at random and announced on the 1st of May 2013. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

4.      This giveaway is open to Nigerian, UK and USA residents (For Nigerian residents, please make sure you have an address where you can receive posted mail)

Goodluck everyone!  Remember- you only win if you participate. You’ve got so much to gain.....a more confident spouse.

Self Esteem - The Beginning

It’s been a while since I read a book – not since last year actually. I’ve been soooo busy with one thing or the other that I’ve barely had the time. But I have repented of my ways and I’m back on track with my “One book a month” commitment.

In November last year, in my post Knock, knock please let me in!!!! I mentioned the book I am currently reading. It’s titled The New Building Your Mates Self- Esteem by Dr Dennis Rainey . I ordered 2 copies of the book from Amazon then, but due to some issues one of which is the fact that I live in Nigeria, I only received the books a few days ago- I’m actually glad they came late, or rather, they came just in time for me to read as I’m just getting back into reading. If they had arrived as expected in December, they’d likely be gathering dust somewhere – like the dozens of other books I have on my waiting list. So a quick shout out to God, Who ensures everything, does work out for my good.

                   

                                          

Some of you may have caught on to the fact that I ordered 2 copy’s- yep, yep. One for me and one for you silly! Yes, one lucky person is going to receive a free copy at no expense to him/ her- I’ll tell you a bit about that in a bit.

Even though it’s supposed to be my book for March, I actually started reading it about 2 days ago, and I’m in love with it already. The objective of the book is to build marriages (relationships) and not minds, there’s no point having all the knowledge if you do not apply it - a quote (from the book) that illustrates this point:

“The object of Bible Study is changed lives. The Christian world is suffering from a deficiency of Vitamin A- Application”

Dr. Howard G. Hendricks

Dallas Theological Seminary

In my opinion one of the major problems couples face in their relationships is a fear of rejection. If your partner sees rejection or any lack of acceptance, the result will be fear- and fear is one of the most powerful motivational forces today. If you want to see your partners self image strengthened, then you need to recognize that the fear of rejection is your enemy.

1 John 4:18a (AMP) “There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment “

The book talks about how fear will begin to dissolve in your partner under a steady stream of authentic love- that accepts and embraces another even in his/ her weakness - Your attitude can either fuel or kill the fear.

I really think it’s a book for every shelf, that’s why I want to share it with someone - I’ll put up how you can get your hands on the free copy tomorrow- till then......

Love

Ezer

Ezer is one!!!! Woooo hoooo

48 posts (this is the 49th), 3355 page views and 1 year later Ezer Kenegdo / Help Meet is one!!!!!! Wooohoooo. I’m so grateful to God it’s unbelievable. It’s amazing to think that in one year I have struggled with all sorts of challenges that threatened to stop God’s work here, but God who is called faithful has indeed been faithful. I’m grateful to Him for all those He used in one way or the other to keep this fire burning.

This has not been by my power nor might, but by God’s Spirit all the way. Thank You Lord for inspiration; for always giving me the words to write. I pray this well will never run dry and You forever find me fit to be used by You.

Awesome, Awesome God! This past year with You has been both amazing and liberating. Here’s to many, many more.

Love now and forever

Ezer

The Valentine Story

“I’m so sorry” Jane gushed almost knocking me down in a hurry to get somewhere.

Bending down to pick up the files the impact had sent flying. “It’s ok. Just take it easy so you get where you are going in one piece” I replied.

“So you must have seen what Tade got today?” She asked excitedly.

”No” I replied curtly.

“Oh ok. I thought since you were coming from the direction of her office that you must have......” she trailed off.

Trying not to roll my eyes, I said a quick goodbye, not wanting to be drawn into a conversation about the events of the past few days.

Tade had been receiving Valentine gifts from her husband since the First of February. The gifts kept on getting increasingly extravagant that everyone was anxious to see what would happen on Valentine’s Day. It had started off with a dozen roses, then cupcakes from her favourite patisserie in the UK! He’d even gotten one of her favourite artists to come and perform for her right here in the office! At this rate, I wondered what else there was to do on Valentine’s day or any other Valentine’s day for that matter, then I thought of my own husband who would most likely send me the same text message he sent me 2 years ago- that’s if I’m lucky and he even remembers. After all, he forgot last year.

The office was buzzing. Everyone was talking about Tade’s latest gift.  “Wow are you serious? Tade is one lucky lady sha” Said a random lady I’d never even seen before.

“I can’t wait to see what the bros will do on Valentine’s Day...” replied the equally random lady she was walking with.

**********

Tade’s husband didn’t disappoint. I don’t know how he’d pulled it off but he managed to get her time off work for a few days for an all expense paid trip to Cape Verde.

By the 100^th offer of cake, I couldn’t take it anymore; everyone except me seemed to have gotten something. So I took some time out to be alone.

“Are you ok?” I heard Tade ask softly.

“Yes I am” I replied wiping my tears, I didn’t realise I was sobbing so loudly. Embarrassed, I just wanted to jump into the toilet.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asked in that motherly tone of hers that just makes you want to hug her.

“No thanks. I’m fine”

“Gloria, you know you are not alright. If it’s so bad that you have to come and lock yourself up in here to cry”.

How can I tell this woman that I’m crying because I didn’t get a gift from my husband, talk less of him even wishing me a happy valentine’s day? This sort of a woman would not understand what it’s like to feel so unloved by the one person you love the most in this world.

“I’m not going anywhere until you come out” she said

Sighing deeply I opened the door of the toilet stall.

“Oh dear!” she gasped “you look terrible”

Just great I thought. How will I explain red swollen eyes to everyone in the office?

She reached over and pulled me into a warm embrace. “What’s wrong dear?”

I don’t know what came over me, but I poured my heart out to her.

I didn’t blame her for being silent for a while when I finished talking. She was probably thinking about what a loser I am.

When she eventually spoke, what she said left me speechless. She told me how for the first 5years of her marriage her husband didn’t acknowledge birthdays, valentine, Christmas nor even their wedding anniversary, and how her marriage had almost ended because of it. Luckily for her, a friend gave her the same advice she was about to give me.

“So you see my dear, you fight on your knees and not with your fists or with your mouth”

She laughed when I looked at her like she was crazy

“There is nothing God cannot do. Don’t get me wrong, my husband didn’t change overnight oh. Actually it was even I who changed first; God showed me a better way of communicating my needs. I’ve been married for 11years, but my husband has only been this way for the last 4 of those years”

I stared at her, speechless.

“I think he is trying to make up for all the years he was not like this” she laughed and continued “it’s only God that changes people dear, your tears and nagging will not bring lasting change, only God does. Don’t think that this is too small or trivial to take to Him in prayer. God is concerned about every aspect of your life, especially your marriage, and He will do everything to make sure it succeeds, you just have to do things His way”

Source: Pinterest

She gave me another hug and left me with my thoughts. I didn’t know where I’d start or what I’d say, but the words came as I let myself go. Then came the peace, and in a split second I knew what to do. I took permission from my boss and left 2 hours early.

**********

I met my husband at the door with a kiss, took his briefcase from him and led him to the living room. Seeing the puzzled look in his eyes, I answered his question even before he asked.

“I just thought it’d be nice if I did something special today” I said, gesturing to the candle lit dinner I’d laid out on the living room floor.

**********

That was 3 years ago. Today as I sit in my office cradling the roses my husband sent me for Valentine’s Day, I say a little prayer of thanks to my God that indeed answers prayers.

MY Lord, my King, my Valentine, my Everything

I don’t remember the day I was born, but You do. I don’t remember my first birthday, but You do. I don’t remember what I wore the day I asked You to be my Everything, but You do. I don’t even remember the exact time I woke up yesterday, or how long it took me to get ready, but You do. I don’t know how many strands of hair I have on my head, but You do. I don’t know how much I weight right now, but You do.

I’m not perfect. Most times I knowingly disobey You because I’m fearful. More often than I should, I let unimportant things and people get in the way of us. I prioritise selfishly, putting my needs, my desires, and my wants before You.

You say, beautiful daughter of mine, you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Look, I’ve written your names on the backs of my hands. The walls you’re rebuilding are never out of my sight. How can You love me? Perfect as You are, righteous in all Your ways, Sovereign God, perfect in all Your ways, right in all You do. Faithful when I am faithless. Unchanging when I am tossed about by this storm and that. You, who are merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. All have sinned and fall short of my glory, I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate you from My love in Christ Jesus. You remind me of the sacrifice of Your son, made while I was still drenched in sin. Your love is not a function of who I am or what I do, but on whom You are. You love me because You decided to, for You and not for me. Not because I am perfect, we both know I’m not. I am for you. Who can be against You?

Sometimes I get scared- things aren’t going the way they should, I get confused and don’t know what to say or do. I have not given you the spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. Trust in me with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek My will in all you do, and I will show you which path to take. My Spirit is right alongside helping you along. If you don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does your praying in and for you, making prayer out of your wordless sighs, your aching groans. He knows you far better than you know yourself, knows your pregnant condition, and keeps you present before Me. That’s why you can be so sure that every detail in your life of love for God is worked into something good.

Thank You Lord for the sacrifice of Your only son. Thank You for this love of Yours that never, no not ever fails. Thank You for never ever leaving me. For taking me through the fire and the water, making me stronger, better and more like You with each passing day. Thank You for healing, for provision, protection, grace and mercy. You have seen me through so much; Your strength is constantly made perfect in my weakness. When I am hungry You feed me. Broken, you heal me. Lost, you gently bring me back to You. Confused, You direct me. There is none that compares with You, my Everything. You are the source of my strength, the strength of my life, the solid  rock on which I stand, the author and finisher of my faith, the pillar that hold this life of mine together. There is nothing I have that didn’t come from You. These hands of mine that You have blessed so much I lift in praise to You. Holy are You Lord almighty. Perfect is all that You do. Thank You for this constant, unshakeable love of Yours. There is nothing that compares to it; not even the comfort of bread (lol and You know I LOVE bread! You know EVERYTHING about me even things I don’t know).

You blow my mind with the songs You put on my lips. Your testimonies in my life leave me speechless. Who is there in heaven, on earth or even under it that dares compare with You? I know I’m not where You want me to be, but I’m not where I used to be either- and that’s all thanks to YOU. No one will share Your glory; take it ALL Lord.

We are on our way. Thank You, thank You, Thank You.....for EVERYTHING for this love of Yours that I can never get rid of, even if I wanted to (errr which I don’t oh).

So my Lord, my King, My Lover, my Valentine.....happy valentine to You oh Lover of my soul.

Love now and forever

The one You call precious

Ezer