Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Beautifying the little....cos its really big

An overheating car, a new nanny that had been of little or no help all day, a whole weekend of thorough spring cleaning (and my joints still testified to that)...I told myself I was justified as I sent out the BBM.

"Hey bro, so sorry but I cant make it...the car is overheating so have to try and fix it".

Well, I'm going to fix it, even if not today, its still not a lie. Its not advisable to take a kid out with a faulty car, what if it started over-heating again half way....and on and on, my mind tried to justify my decision, tried to squelch the slight guilt I felt stirring.

A few seconds later, he replied with "OK"...and that was it....or so I thought.

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.(Luke 16:10)

Those were the words from devotion this morning...and my unfaithfulness in the seeming small weight heavy on me. In all honesty, I could make it. If the invite had been different, if the expectations had been grander, I would have called up my cab guy, packed a bag for my lil' miss and headed over to do what I had earlier said I would do. But i felt "I could skip this and make next month instead, its not like its a do or die affair, they would understand".

And so today, I'm sending out this prayer from my heart.

Not just the big, but the little too, 
Not just the grande but the small as well.
I want to make the small glow, make it sparkle.
Make it much more than the earth may believe it is.

I want to be the one that you use to beautify the little places, 
The one that pours out heart and soul, everyday, every time, every task.
The one through whom the little becomes the big
The one who does this big task of making the small a thing of importance.
Just like it should be

Find me faithful in the little, Find me available for the small.



 1000 Gifts - Joy Dare
10- Thankful for the correction of a loving Father and Friend

11- Thankful for second chances
12- Thankful for the beauty of small beginnings

13- Thankful for the grace to be faithful

Friday, March 1, 2013

The gift of Vulnerability

She spoke the words and they stung...

Boy did they sting. Yet I just smiled and turned my face to the window. My wondering mind began to re-collect, cold words spoken, indifference and a "not-so-subtle" change in character...Laughing hard at me, I realized, I had fallen prey to my heart once more

 “And maybe that was love. Being so vulnerable and allowing someone else in so far they could hurt you"....

Christime Feehan's words taunted me...me who once again, had taken a relationship to be more that it actually was. 

I don't do this so often, my heart is not that unruly, but when I find a kindred spirit (well at least I always believe they are), my heart opens up like the morning glory does to the rays of sunshine.



Its been two weeks, but finally, I'm back to me...see, I'm not ashamed that I gave more than I received, neither do i regret that I believed what was not. Cos in life, I've learnt that to be vulnerable is to be alive, to be strong...I'd rather live and hurt than be dead so I do not hurt, and to live life void of vulnerability, is to live yet be dead

 “I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.

Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.”  (Luke 6:35-38)

 So once again, I pick myself up, re-align my heart with reality and wait, cos I know, come tomorrow, I will be vulnerable again...Vulnerability is not weakness, Vulnerability is strength, its courage. 



So when next you love without being loved in return, remember this...To be able to feel love, that in its own is a gift...cherish it, rejoice in it, then step back and let the other person just be.

We bumped into each other yesterday, we chatted, we laughed, she mentioned how we don't ride together again...I smiled a genuine smile as I said "maybe sometime soon". 




 1000 Gifts - Joy Dare
7- Thankful for the gift of vulnerability

8- Thankful for the gift of forgiveness
9- Thankful for the gift of healing





Thursday, February 7, 2013

Joy Dare - An embrace of faith

In my usual way, I tossed all the clothes on the bed.

I was going to do my parade. Try them on one by one and then sashay for the hubby so he could "yay" or "nay"....that's our way, or should I say my way. Sometimes, I think I bully him into sitting through it, but not today, today, he too was game.

It was the third item I pulled out, cotton, blue, and beautiful. The first thing I loved about it was its color and as I unfolded it, I realized what it really was...a gift of faith, a gift of dreams. 

....God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;  Rom 4:17b (NKJV)

Faith wrapped itself around my heart and in that one gift she gave, I received a multitude of gifts...strengthened faith, joyful expectations, re-assurance, indescribable calm, peace, hope...a heartwarming sense of being loved by God through this vessel, my very own angel, my sister.

It is a blessing to walk in faith, A bigger one to have hands that hold yours as you take that walk, hands that stay, hands that remain, reminding you of He who speaks and whose words are Ye and Amen.

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou may know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel. (Isaiah 45:3).


 1000 Gifts - Joy Dare
3- Thankful for the gift of encouragement 
4- Thankful for the gift of peace even in the waiting
5- Thankful for the gift of amazing relationships
6-Thankful for the gift of expectations





Wednesday, January 30, 2013

S H E

A female warrior 
In between battles,
Vulnerable in all the right ways yet protecting the vitals

Bowed before her Lord;
Firm grip on sword -
Weary perhaps but no where near defeated or giving up.

Lots of fight power still within; 
Surrounded by a backdrop of green - 
Growth, rejuvenation, new beginnings filled with promise; 

Head might be bowed 
But only in submission 
In acknowledgement of her Lord, her source, her worth.

Wielding the Samurai's sword
She defies the odds.
Breaking the norm, she's you, she's me, she's US.

- Dumebi Ogboli (a true friend, an amazing sister)

PS: Hope we get past the partial nudity and appreciate what was seen in this picture :D.
Posted on 1:14 PM | Categories:

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Joy Dare - New Challenges (Bring it on)

We sit around, sipping water, nibbling on pastry, staring at him in hopeful expectation...waiting on the target.

He shifts uncomfortably (or maybe its my own "discomfort" I see mirrored in his innocent body movements), then...

"Honestly, a beffitting budget for this would be xxx".

I smile, she laughs, and together we sink back into the leather seats as if on cue.

"Clear lots of ground for your tents!
   Make your tents large. Spread out ! Think Big!...
 ..Dont be afraid - You're not going to be embarrassed.
     Dont hold back - you're not going to come up short. (Isaiah 54 MSG )

"We'd send you our concept, so you can break it down and get back to us on the next course of action."

He steps out of the room and we're left alone to discuss this. 

We dont know how, we dont know when, but we know WHO!

I'm excited. 

I'm always nervous when it comes to budgets, and this one voice keeps telling me not to get in over my head, but I cant help how I feel.

"Lets do this", she says her smile broadening and I know she feels it too.

Shall two walk together except they agree?

Mail sent, response awaited...  



He’ll see to it that everything works out for the best.”
        God’s Decree. Isaiah 54 (MSG) 


Do you see what we’ve got? An unshakable kingdom! And do you see how thankful we must be? Not only thankful, but brimming with worship, deeply reverent before God. (Heb 12:28)


HAPPY NEW YEAR PEOPLE!!!!!!! 


PS: One thousand Gifts - Dare you to Joy. Take the dare to fully Live

1- Thankful for the gift of unshakeable faith
2- Thankful for the gift of new challenges and breaking boundaries
Posted on 1:56 PM | Categories:

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Day 30 - Excited Much

Yup...I'm excited, so I guess this post is apt.

Number one cause of excitement.....drum roll......





I made it to the end of the 30-day challenge...lol ( like I did it in 30 days)...abegi, I sha finished it, no be so? I honestly thought of giving up after I stopped half way last month, but decided to complete it, regardless of the time it would take me. 

Secondly, I started on a project but dropped it cos I just kept seeing flaws and imperfection. I'm realizing though that I've just been letting my fear of failure hold me back so here I am, re-discovering my passion and it feels all sorts of good. 


So I'm jumping back in, aware that it might not be as perfect as I hope but willing to try cos only then would I get better...;)

PS: I would share the details of this project sometime in the near future...I sure will 


Posted on 1:29 PM | Categories: