BE NICE

The world is a big place, full of people.What are the odds that you would run into certain random people twice or more in your lifetime? You cannot really say. People change, places change and situations certainly do not remain the same.

Be careful how you slam doors in your life. Slammed doors in places. Slammed doors on people. Slammed doors on ideas. Seasons change.Some of those doors you will need to use in the future. Will you be able to open them back?

One thing is certain, people most times never forget. Before you take that next action or speak those words remember to be nice. The world is a small town with the same people.


- Tola

Life Is An Adventure

Life is beautiful. It is a gift and also a wonderful adventure.
It is possible to be here on earth and not really live. 
I do not mean having everything you have ever wanted.
Neither do I mean been completely content and happy all the time. 
Try to give your all to whatever Godly cause or purpose you believe in.
It is either wholly or nothing at all. 
Take time to pause and enjoy the little things even in the middle of chaos going on within and outside of you. Try not to hate the day before you even step out of the house in the morning. 
Speak to your day, it can hear and trust God to make stepping out everyday worthwhile. 
You do not have to experience everything out there. Not all paths are yours to take. 
Some risk are worth taking. Sometimes you will make mistakes. Get up and continue with your life. 
People will pass through your life. Like the flow of a stream, some will look for something in you to hold on to, whether good or bad. Others might just come and go, like they were never there. 
Think of the next man. Let your heart be open to the needs of others. Your bronze is another man's gold. Let God use you to meet a need. Go on adventure with God. Climb through mountains with Him. Watch Him slay strongholds in your life. Let Him lead you through doors without having to turn the lock. Marvel as He makes a way where there seemed to be no way. I tell you, life is an adventure.



-Tola

No More Hiding

Things left covered do not heal - TD Jakes


No More Hiding.
Only three people knew his secret. One of them lived in Italy now. The other was close by. Close enough to remind him of where he was 5years ago.  Things were working so well in his life.  He would be marrying Tinuke in three months time. They were looking forward to starting a family immediately after they became husband and wife. But, a part of him was somewhere faraway. A beautiful little girl who had the same nose and piercing eyes like her father. He looked at his image in the mirror and what he saw were the eyes of Victory staring back at him.
How long was he going to keep this hidden? The past seemed so far away and buried at the time he took that decision. Now he had to deal with it. He had taken a wrong turn 6 years ago. He knew God had forgiven him. But why did he still feel so much shame?

"Your redeemer God says: I left you but only for a moment. Now with enormous passion I am bringing you back. In an outburst of anger I turned my back on you-but only for a moment. It is with everlasting love, I am tenderly caring for you".

Those words in Isaiah 54 v7-8 kept playing in his head. God forgave him and God will help him sort it all out. He had to stop hiding his daughter. He needs to take this step to complete his healing process that started one year ago in his living room. He did not live in the past anymore. He has seen the light. It is time to come out.

No matter what you did in the past, God loves you and He still wants to have a relationship with you. Your mistakes and wrong turns in life should be left at His feet. Nothing is hidden before God. He knows everything. Your past might be in the form of a hurt,a person that is a constant reminder of how foolish you once acted, physical scars, emotional wounds. Whatever it is, give it to God and watch Him make you whole.

Dance...

I have restless feet,
I want to go somewhere
Eager to hear music play
I want to sway to a lovesong
I really want to dance.
Someday, soon not alone
For now I will dance
Even if I hear no music.

Tola

Women

I attended a women's program recently. During one of the sessions, we were told to hold hands, two by two and look into the eyes of the person whose hands you were holding. I have issues maintaining eye contact with people. Take a glance and look away. That is what I do. I remember the much older woman whose hands I was holding telling me it was not so difficult. With time I would get used to it. After a while we prayed for each other. The words just flowed in prayer. It felt good.

As a woman, if you saw me ( a fellow woman) for the first time, would you judge me without even speaking to me? Do I get a tag because of what I have on or the fact that I do not look a certain way on the day you laid eyes on me? Would I use the challenge you are passing through to describe you?

Would I ask my fellow married sisters to be wary of you because of the word "single".

As a young woman, would you be willing to learn from an older woman?  Do you know it all? Can you be corrected?

Can women be together in one room and really be what we are...women- womb carriers, midwives, helpers?

Tola

F O R G I V E , . .

I do not have an issue with Forgivness.
Or so I thought.

Little did I know that I had  simply not loved enough
Or probably not been really hurt by someone dear.

Now I need to consider that word and simply act it out.
On a scale, the hurt weighs so much...more.

But..for this hurt,
I will forgive.

What surrounds you?

It is common knowledge that the people you surround yourself with often reflects in the way you see and live your life. I have understood that better in the past few years.

I have friends. I think I have made more friends in the past few years.I have some major influences in my life.There is a special friend  who tells me the truth, even though it hurts me and we probably will not exchange words for a few days till I cool off! There is one who knows my dream and gives me the opportunity to express it even if she has to come to me to do that! Some make me smile. Others make me think. Some make me go on my knees. Some make me work. Some just want to talk! A senior friend has taught me how important physical presentation is. I know I started dressing up better after I met her.She also hates mediocrity. I appreciate what I have because of some. I have taken a leap of faith with some.

I hear lifting words week after week where I worship. These days I see things differently. I have a green mentality. I now know what is important. Very different from what is urgent. I now view serving differently. Now, I am glad to go to God's house. I am also answerable to certain people there.I do not like it sometimes but it puts me in check!

This is me. What surrounds you?

Life.....this week

I have experienced different kinds of emotions this week.

It is just Wednesday and so much has happened.

I remember looking at pictures of the earthquake in 

New Zealand on Monday and thinking... are things ever

going to be the same in the world?

Whenever you hear that a person has passed on,

what comes to your mind? The loved ones left behinde?

The emptiness of the space the person once occupied?

For that person, a chapter has ended.

Another has began.

Its so easy to get carried away with self.

Pause for a moment and catch up with the lives of others.

Help the other in what ever way you can.Conquer greed.

Share your blessings. Certain things will not matter after now.

This is life this week.

 

Is This Me?

• I stylishly drop an item of trash on the floor.
• I cannot resist a glance at my reflection in a glass.
• I daydream during church sermons.
• I meet someone for the first time and I do a quick scan;clothes, bags, shoes.Check!
• I constantly imagine myself sitting in my boss's chair.
• I pay my tithes after deducting my expenses.
• I know its over... but I do not want to move on.
• I do not feel beautiful.
• I look at someone's spouse and "wish you were mine"
• I am haunted by babies I wish I had.
• I always look at the clock.
• I am not making eternal investments.
• I think it is too late.
• I never take a risk.
• I am living a false life. 

Madam Mariama

The woman greeted me on the phone in the native yoruba language.
It was a strange number and I did not know w ho it was.
Then she introduced herself. I had her number on my other phone.
Some weeks ago, the workers in my church had gone on evangelism
close to our church vicinity.
I had spoken to a woman who was washing clothes by a tap. She told
me she washed clothes for money. She did not understand English and
was a moslem. Hmmm...How do I preach to a moslem and in the yoruba
language? I remember that not knowing what to do, I asked her if there
was anything she wanted me to pray about. She requested that I pray for
her children. I prayed . In yoruba language. Truth is I stumbled most times as
I do not think I have ever had to pray in yoruba.
We exchanged numbers as I saved my telephone numbers on her phone
and promised to give her a call from time to time. I called her a week later.
It was a pleasant call.

I was having a "not so good" day. One of those days when you feel so
overwhelmed and just wish someone would understand you and not
really say much...just be there.
Madam Mariama's call that day to know how I was doing reminded me
of seeds of care we sow into the lives of people. These seeds give birth.
Whenever, a face or name comes to your mind, to try reach out. It could be
through a call, a text, mail or a silent word of prayer. Somewhere, you will
be putting a smile on someone' face.

tola

CHEZ IFE ( LOVE PLACE)

The door sign read "open"

So I walked in.

It certainly did not look like the regular

It was not grand or anything

Just different.

The seats were of a different make.

It was not the fanciful kind

It was made of hard wood.

The type that will hold you anyday.

Plus the load that you carry.

I looked around.

Not many people were here

But the few had this soft look on their faces.

You know, that look, tranquility.

Yes, tranquility.

There was this particular woman

wearing a blue dress.

She was reading a book and had

a drink in front of her.

I looked at her and liked what I saw.

But first of all...

I called the waiter.

A smart looking gentleman waiter

walked up to me.

"What would you like to drink?" he asked

"I would like to have what she is drinking"

I said pointing to the woman in the blue dress

"Oh that. It is the drink of grace. One glass coming up"

It made sense, this is Love Place.

tola

A Yuletide Love Letter

Dear Father,

Your sweet yuletide fragrance from above is

here. The air smells different already.

Thank You for the past 11months.

You have been a great Father. 

Thank You for those big blessings

during the year and the very little ones

that are too numerous to mention.

Thank You for Nigeria. Your plans for us

are good. Thank You for the wonderful

people You sent into our lives this year.

Thank You for dreams that have began.

Thank You for doors; those You opened

and the doors you shut on our behalf.

We bless You for supernatural supplies.

Thank You for those divine interruptions.

Thank You for those days and nights,

rains and sunshine. We thank You for growth.

The list is endless…………………………………..

Most of all thank You for the

Birth of Jesus.

Merry Christmas FATHER.

Tola

Friend Reconnect Miracle.

I was reading Buky Ojelabi's post on Friends on www.bukville.com a couple of days ago and It got me wondering how I have been treating friends in my life. What kind of friend have I been really?

Like most people, I have lost contact with some friends who have made impact in my life. The cold hands of death snatched one of them a short while ago. I had not spoken to him in a while and I remember wishing we had created more memories than we had...

This post is about the "friend reconnect miracle"  I had last night. Bolanle and I were close in school. She changed schools and somehow we lost contact. Over the years, I always felt I did not handle certain aspects of our relationship properly. I looked for her, asked mutual friends then but no one seemed to have any information about where I could find her. I have been carrying a feeling of guilt concerning her for years and always wondered if I will ever get a second chance at our friendship.

Until last night. I was thinking about how to handle a particular issue and I was complaining to my sister, when my phone rings. After 11yrs, I get to hear Bolanle's voice again. We spoke on the phone for a while and I sent her a FB friend request. Bolanle is now on my friend list just as I am on hers. This was my highest point yesterday.

Now, the issue I was bothering about is still there,but this morning I want to thank God for my Friend Reconnect Miracle, which is the answer to a prayer request so long ago. God knows what He is doing. You might have forgotten, but He has not.

Tola

Margaret Oluwafunmilayo Adeyinka (10/01/1953 - 13/10/1996)

The sound of those tiny feet

Have become footsteps of adults

Though you are not here

We all wish you were

Days have turned months now

And those months have become years

Some things we try to remember

Others we wish we could forget

Your voice sometimes still echoes

Calling away from too much play

You made sure we knew then

It was necessary to obey

Your children are all grown now

Be assured where you are

That though we cannot see mom

We act like yours that we are.

Tola (2008)

MY THOUGHTS ON GOD’S CHOICE FOR ME

Do I trust God? Of course I do. I mean He has brought me this far. I trust his choices. He also has ways of making things come together for me. He is after all the master planner.

He is interested in everything that concerns me and that includes the man I would eventually marry. He has plans for my life. Specific plans and He has told me so. He knows I need someone who will enhance those plans. I am also needed to fulfill the purpose of my future mate. He knows that together, we will bring glory to His name and not shame Him.

I believe that because I love God, He will make things work together for my good. He will create opportunities, circumstances and sometimes give specific instructions to me and people who are somehow connected to my life to bring this purpose to pass.

God is the best judge of character. Therefore He will help me find a suitable partner. The person that God will match me with will compliment me in so many ways. His strengths will cover my weaknesses and vice versa.   I have to understand that God’s match for me can never be a perfect person. Therefore I am not to look out for perfection in my future mate. It exists in no one. Instead His match for me will be perfect for me.

What do I have to do in all of this? Seek God first as well as His righteousness, every other thing will be added unto me. Set my heart on His work and I will likely find a mate who also has his heart set on God. I have to relate with people and make myself someone who can be matched by God.

Tola (11/08/2010)

YESTERDAY ( YES TO DAY)

Yesterday, if I could,

I'd bring you back.

Will say those things

I was always afraid to say.

Will write that letter.

Will enjoy the moments.

Will make that call.

Will end a grudge.

Will speak my mind.

Will take a chance.

Will go visiting.

Will love someone.

Are these regrets?

Not really. Just a reminder.

I must not say all these Tomorrow

Tola

This Too Will Pass

Yesterday, I had to sit at God's feet. Been a while since I did that. I did not have words. They would not be enough. Because He knows just how confused I am right now. I hate being confused...

I put my head on His knee. "I have not been able to pray"  I said. " really pray".

So, today that I finally get to be here, these are the words I long to say.

" I know there is a long road ahead of me. I know You promised to always be there. But what do I do at times such as these. When I feel I am stuck at a point. When I cannot see beyond what is in front of me. When things seem to be happening and passing me by. When I give and do not get back. When I love but things just do not work out. When my best does not feel good enough. When...when...when..."     

I look up at Him and hear those words still.

This too will pass.

Tola

LESSONS LEARNT.

The past couple of weeks have been interesting in my life. I have learnt some lessons and I want to share:

1. Not everyone will get it.

2. Sometimes the people who mind do not matter and the people who matter do not mind.

3. "No" is not such a terrible word.

4. Words spoken out loud are usually a reflection of the thoughts in our head.

5. Create boundaries in relationships.

6. Do not let people confine you to a space and then humiliate you.

7. Learn to share.

8. Follow God's simple instructions.

9. Guard your heart with all diligence. Be careful who you let in.

10.Some things are allowed but not all of them will benefit you.

11.Some people are meant to be links in your life. Recognize them.

12. When you are confused, run to God.

13. It is okay to cry sometimes.

14. Do not share your dreams with everyone.

15. Your giving is tested when you do not have.

Tola

PROUDLY NIGERIAN!

People say so much is wrong with this country,
I agree.
Th events in the past few days have not made things better.
Fighting at a session of the House of Representatives..
Normal sight..we are used to it.
The Super Eagles disappointed us.
A lot of swear words have been released on them since this happened.
But..this does not change a fact.
You and I are still Nigerians.
If you are like me, and you believe your wealth is in this nation...
If you believe that you and generations after you will eat the good of this land...
If you know that you know that you know that even when there is lack in the land, you will experience a bountiful harvest...
Then...you had better start praying for Nigeria.
Speak the positive concerning this country. Trust me God did not "throw" you here by mistake. If you are a Nigerian, then you were meant to be one.
Remember..with words we either tear down or build up. Which are you doing?
Are you proudly Nigerian?

Tola

WHAT AM I DOING?

The year is almost half way gone.
What have I done for you Lord?
Whose life have I made worthwhile?
Have I been blessed and not been a blessing?
Have I been a bucket instead of a fountain?
Have I been nourishing my spirit?
Am I kingdom minded?
Am I living like I will never leave here?
Am I making impact?
Do I understand the power of relationships?
Have I been eating my seed?
Are my tithes on my feet as shoes?
Are my offerings hanging in my wardrobe as clothes?
Am I a person others will follow?
Can I still recognize Your voice?
What kind of future am I painting?
Is my life Your message?
Am I still yours?
…What am I doing?