OTHERS HAVE IT EASY :A MYTH?🍀

For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

2 Corinthians 10:12 KJV

I personally have had moments of envy towards others when I figured their lives were easier than mine. The battles I had to fight, I wished desperately in my heart, that I didn't even know them at all. I look at others and see their life as smooth sailing, then I complain and ask why.

Took me long enough to realize something I am now going to tell you. We fight different battles, and sometimes we trust different Gods. I will explain.

Since you were conceived, a purpose was conceived too. So while at some point, it may seem like everyone around you is running the same race, that is not true. Our battles are unique to our life races and purposes, and more often , you fight more battles when you arrive in your God designed purpose .

Trusting different Gods or gods shouldn't come as a news to you. Most times, the less patient ones seek diabolical means to resolve their life battles, and you all just assume God paved a way. 

Today, do not be tempted to compare yourself to others. You path is unique to your purpose, which is unique to you. Repeat that aloud to yourself, and start believing it. It will renew your resolve and faith in God's direction.

God bless you.

See you next Sunday.

TWI.

CHOOSE THIS DAY! ☁️

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Joshua 24:15 KJV

I am sure you have had a moment in the market when you find it difficult to choose between one product and another. For example, you want to buy sneakers, and you found two different pairs in your size very attractive. Yet, you have money for just a pair, you realize that you have to make an informed choice. Choose the one that would serve you best.

This also applies in our life's choices. More spiritual. You cannot serve God and dally with sin, and you cannot live in sin, and claim to have a relationship with God. You have a choice to make. A long lasting eternal choice.

You know that the moment you pay for the shoe and start wearing it, it is yours for as long as it will serve you. The moment you also choose Christ, will speak for you long beyond this world, but also at the mercy throne.And if your choice is this world and what it has to offer, the moments will bring condemnation for you at the judgement throne.

Choose you this Day whom you will serve. And keep eternity in your heart.

Love,

TWI.

PS: We know it's been a long time since our last post. We are sorry for the unexplained silence. We will back every weekend with pieces like this for you.

JUST THAT ONE SIN! 😢

I have a friend who once said something that struck while we were in a gathering of fellow believers. The discussion was centred on heaven and the christian journey, and then he said "Let's not fool ourselves,most christians already know that besetting sin ...that one sin, that would make them miss heaven if they do not do something about it."

We were all silent for a while, because it was true. 

Some christians pray and say God deliver me, and when God delivers, they wrap one hand around the chain that was just broken off them and follow after Christ, and when they look ahead and see the christian journey is not easy, they begin to wound the chain tighter until they are back to where they started.

This is the truth. You have heard how beautiful the christian journey is, when you know Christ, but maybe no one emphasized that it was not made to be easy, so you face it unprepared and soon you tuck your rails in between your legs and go back to the world in defeat.

One more thing you need to know is this. Your unprepared state might just be the best preparation you need, because the race is not for the swift, or for the strong. Your helpless state will ensure God steps in for you if you just ask.

Don't give up yet.

Don't let that one sin end you.

Hold on

With Love,

MaryA.

Thirsty All Your Life! 🥤

Happy Sunday!!!

A quick one.

so I was reading my devotional this morning and God expanded something to me I'd like to share... (if you share from the heart, you hardly forget it yourself )

The mystery of thirsting.

Well, it's no secret that we are all a bunch of thirsty breed. We humans. Today it's money, tomorrow, it's to Japa, next tomorrow, it's to slay. There is always something we are after that improves our image.

But Solomon came out and declared boldly... 

"Vanity Upon Vanity, all is Vanity."

He said everything is useless and worthless. And he spoke from experience. 

You don't have to go too far to understand, the rich are always trying to be richer. Someone becomes a president today, hes already thinking of what he could become or acquire that is greater than presidentship....

That fellow is thirsty!!!

No shock there, because that is the way the world works. It is designed to make us thirst endlessly, to always want more. There are always new innovations and ideas that we thirst to represent. It's an endless cycle till you reach your death bed, and you realized the glitters you were collecting were the worst kind of rags.

On the other hand, There is Jesus who simply says .."I have the Living water, He that drinks will never thirst again!!!!"

Boy, did that put perspective on things for me?

I hope it does for you too .

Because you and I have something or someone in common. Our Goal.

Jesus!

Our Purpose.

Jesus.

I and my Friend have an anthem. (A music)

it goes thus 

We are United in Jesus Christ

We are the Soldiers of the Light

We don't wrestle flesh and Blood

But principalities of the dark

We do our Marching to one beat

Crushing the enemy under our feet

We are mighty in our stand

With God's word In our hands.

I pray that God will reveal something to your heart. Remember God is on your team, Not against you.

Happy Sunday once again.

With Love,

MaryA.

NIGERIA DECLARES WAR!!!🚩🚩🚩🚩

For over two years now, I have specialized in bringing you a message of hope. So forgive me if I digress a bit.

But I find that I must in fact bring to you the truth which you already know, and what to do with it.

Nigeria.

(did I hear you sigh?)

I had the privilege to hear a minister who woke up from a nightmare about a war in Nigeria. The vision was so real, that when he woke up, he wasn't sure which reality he was in.

I'm not going into the details of that dream, but here is what I Know. Nigeria is already at war. PVC won't save us, it's just a paper, only God can. Gone are the days when our cries were for electricity and good roads.  Maybe if we had learned to call on God sooner........

Christian's are troubled that our current president said he'd continue to rule even after election, and they do have reasons to believe that was not a joke.

However, here is the message of hope. I once read a book by Donna Partow, she claimed to have met a woman who was powerful both in heaven and on earth. This woman lived in one of the dangerous hills of USA, and she loves God. A movie rentage company known for selling pornography was going to open in that part of the country, and that woman said "NOT ON MY WATCH." She prayed and decreed and declared, and the building is now used as a church.

I guess my message is this. Believers! You do have authority. Do not wait till we are homeless to pray, Do not engage in mindless antagonistic discussions on Twitter, Pray, and wrestle and declare . Positive things, with Love.

Remember Love is a language that is powerful, do not abandon Nigeria, she needs you.

Where are our women... Powerful Deborah's, Prophetic Intercessors praying with onsite on-site (Nigeria) Where are our Elijah's, calling down fire to put an end to a reign of tyranny.

There is hope for Nigeria yet! We are at War yes!!!

But it's a Spiritual War.

Yours-in-battle

MaryA 

Holy Spirit:Your Life Coach 🧚

Did you know that in life, we are all athletes? You don't?

Have you not heard about the comparison that Life is a race?

Good. Imagine all tribes, and races on a big massive track. 

You included. Ahead of you, is the longest track you ever saw. With a couple of discouraging hurdles that could claim your life if not properly maneuvered.

In this scenario, you will most definitely be needing a guide book, and an experienced person who can interpret the guidebook for you the right way. Someone who knows all the details of that terribly long track, so you will not get pulled out of the race prematurely.

So life interpretation? You cannot get through life unless you have a coach, and you follow the instruction manual. Jesus already ran that race, and he put all the instructions in the Holy Bible. Guess who was with him during the race?

Holy Spirit!!!!

Yes! And you get the choice of having this same Holy Spirit as your coach today.

Listen, you will always stumble and fumble constantly in life, not because we are humans....no, but because you denied the power of God in Keeping you on the right track. No man can on his own finish the race and reach the heavenly finish line. A lot has depended on their strength, and it has landed them in hell.

Remember that we were saved by GRACE, and through FAITH. So, it is not human effort that keeps you saved, it is Faith in the person who offers you Grace freely.

Let him be your Life Coach. Otherwise, you are doomed to fail.

(But seriously, I'd like to see some friends at the marriage supper of the Lamb, whose food will I steal if you are not there. oga o.)

Let's help each other to run this race. When one of us stops listening to the coach, be the pointer that leads him/her back.

Yours -in-track

MaryA.

Grateful in Not So Great Situations.😶

Good Morning, and Happy First Day of the week.

In light of recent events, there seems like there is nothing to be happy about. I found myself asking questions yesterday, but all the spirit wants is for me to give thanks.

I know for me, it don't make sense, and I know it don't for a lot of us either. 

You fail an exam "give Thanks"

You were duped "give thanks"

You lost a close friend "Give thanks"

All I want to do during those period is complain!!!!!

Let's not forget that during the good times, we are to give thanks too, but it is in our nature to suddenly remember God when he's done us good, and to complain when things are beyond control

I don't know everything there is to know about God, but I can assure you that everything has a reason, and like Mary his mother once told his disciples, I'll tell you this morning

"Whatsoever he says unto you, do it."

Maybe praises isn't our gut reaction to sad and devastating situation, but we have all established that walking the narrow way is a cross to bear, but keep in mind that bearing that cross comes with great reward.

So let us dare to bear it with praises on our Lips.

Grateful,

MaryA.

Going Back Again.🚩

Hey! It's the weekend, but I want to leave you a message.

Have you ever, done something that you know Jesus would not be proud of?

I know I have done those several times. Then you come away with that terrible internal souvenir that makes you feel like Despite asking for forgiveness, God has put you on his Naughty Child List forever and has decided to turn his nose up at you.

That, my friends, is all a lie.

I bet if anything, God is looking at you and spreading his arms wide to tell you he still loves you.

Haven't you heard?

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!!!!

Isnt that amazing?

So you are Loved either ways.

One more thing I need to address. Do not measure God's love my the Christian Life standard.

It took me a while to figure it out, but when I finally did, I didn't like it at all.

Of course, we treat God like another Self-righteous christian, who unfortunately knows all out faults, and we cannot hide it from him.

So we feel condemned, and stay afar like Peter.

It's the weekend, And God still Loves you.

Anytime, Anyway, Any Day, Any Hour, Any Moment.

You are Loved.

Have a Memorable Weekend.

Love,

MaryA.

June and Just!!!!😊

Happy New Month, My fellow Word lovers, it has been a long and silent month in May, but we are back and fully awake in June.

I have a few words to share with you or more like secrets that aren't secrets.

If you are already a good Christian, you are welcome to this space where we seek to make ourselves better.

if you are still struggling to make a choice and decision with your life, well, I do hope to help you make a wise decision.

Now, the secret is This...To do good, You must mostly feel bad. I know it may not make sense, but as a Christian, you are supposed to smile and love all your enemies. Enemies!!!!

The coworker that is trying to get you fired, The friend that lives to gossip about you, the acquaintance seeking to ruin your friendship.

Well, I don't know about you, but that is a very tough pill to swallow. 

But all you have to remember is this 

1) I was once the enemy to Jesus, and he Loved me back into the fold

2) I am not of the world, so I can't act like them

3) Always pray for grace.

So my fellow Word criers. It is great to declare into June, but if ever you find it turbulent too. Pray, If you need reassurance,  reach out to God. 

Nothing can faze you when you have a God as a best friend. 

Toodles.

MaryA.

BUSY BEE!!! 🐝

Welcome Back, WordCriers!!! It's been a Looong Time. I am happy to tell you that I am working on a project.

It will all come together soon enough, God willing.

Next Announcement...

PLEASE REFRAIN FROM POSTING EXCESSIVELY LONG COMMENTS, OR EXTRA POSTS UNDER MY POSTS.

My readers are complaining. I do not want to have to shut down the comment section because of a few people. We all have our pages...if you have a word to share, Share it there...  Comments are supposed to be short.

Now...Sharing a Word with us.

I realized the year has shifted Into a Busy mood, and we are all struggling to make something of ourselves. It is okay.

However, It becomes overwhelming when we do not get desired results, or the results are not as satisfactory as we hope. I just want to remind you that God is still there through those moments, Nudging you, and telling you to lean on him. He has so many promises just for you. Irrespective of your imperfections.

Trust him and Seek his guidance.

Happy Monday!

MaryA.

SOMETHING SURREAL.🌒(2- in -1)

Bella woke up with a smile on her face. She had just had the most wonderful conversation with Rose ever. Her sister had told her she misses her and loves her and also that she's proud of how Bella is retracing her steps back to God. Rose had also told her that everything would be fine now but Bella didn't know how it could be finer.

 Her parents had started to come back to how they used to be before everything happened and Bella had begun to engage in activities she used to engage in before and she even found school more accomodating but the most wonderful thing was that her best friend, the Holy Spirit was fully back and Bella felt Him everywhere.

It was Saturday and her parent had told her to prepare for a family picnic tomorrow. It's been so. long since they went on one and it made her ache for both her sister who is in Heaven now and her Brother who seems to have completely cut her off from his life after fully blaming her for their sister's death. 

Bella misses Tyler so deeply she often had her fingers lingering on his contact number but never actually dials it because she had no idea what she would say and she wasn't even sure if Tyler had her blocked or not. Several times, she always thought of writing him a letter anonymously as a distant family relative and having it delivered to Tyler's school but had never gotten around to doing it.

Paulina had told her that no matter what Tyler had said, he still considers and loves her as his sister but Bella didn't dare hope to believe it. No one was there when that phone conversation had ensued. No one knew what was said. No one heard the resentment Tyler had spoken to her with has he told her Rose should be here instead of her. No one knew except her and Tyler. Bella never planned on telling anyone and she plans to keep it that way no matter what.

Bella stretched and reached for her Bible on the table beside her bed. After her quiet time, Bella got ready to shower. She kept mulling over the conversation she had with her sister in her dream. It had felt like Rose was very much alive in the park where the conversation in the dream had taken place. 

What was more was how Rose felt so sure of herself when she had told Bella that "from now on, everything would be fine".

Bella felt very much like picking up her phone to call her brother and share her dream with him, perhaps it could maybe help him to get back to himself.

Bella had just finished dressing up and was getting ready for her outing with her friends, Paulina and Summer. The trio had planned to visit the new orphanage that just opened in the next town and Paulina's father was driving them there. Bella picked up her two plastic bags filled with what she was going to give to the children in the orphanage. She called out to her parents that she was leaving for the orphanage and her mum told her to take care while her dad reminded her to take some snacks along in case she got hungry.

 Bella darted back into her room to pick up her phone which she would have forgotten on the table. Organizing herself, Bella picked up the two plastic bags again, cross-checked to see she had everything she needed then headed downstairs to pick some snacks taking enough to feed the rest also, and then opened the door. 

Welcome, Home Brother!!!

Bella stood frozen in shock staring at what was in front of her or rather who was in front of her feeling like she hadn't woken up from the dream with Rose after all and this was the continuation of the dream. However, the sound of her plastic bags falling from her hands brought her back to reality. She looked down at the now fallen plastic bags and up to the face of the person that seem to be standing in front of her. The fact that she often prayed for, wished for, cried for, and most of all, the fact that she misses so much.

Tyler had his hand up ready to ring the doorbell. Bella didn't know what to do so she did the only thing that came to mind and called for her mom.

"MOMMYYYY" Bella shouted her eyes still fixed on Tyler.

"Bella" Tyler said his voice a whisper

Bella felt goosebumps rise on her body. Her brother had just called her no and whispered her name. It wasn't much but it felt like everything to Bella. Behind her, Bella heard her mom's footsteps as she came down the stairs to meet them.

"Whaaattt?!!!! Ty..ler?” Mrs. Wilson said stopping to take in what was in front of her.

" Mummy," Tyler said and ran up to embrace his mum. 

Bella still stood where she was her hand on the doorknob still. Soon enough her Dad also came downstairs and was surprised just as much as the rest had been. After Tyler and Mr. Wilson had embraced. Bella slowly walked toward her brother not meeting his eyes and said her greetings.

"Hello, Tyler" Bella greeted her body visibly tensed up for whatever answer Tyler would give.

Bella saw her parents exchange questioning glances but what she hadn't expected was what happened next. Tyler's eyes grew moist with tears as he picked her up and embraced her tightly.

" Bella. My baby sister. I have missed you. I'm so glad you're doing great. Wow, I've missed you so much" Tyler said tears now streaming down his face. 

Bella felt the tension slowly leave her body as she embraced her brother back as tightly as she could breathing in the smell of him. She had missed him just as much and so much more. After they pulled away, Tyler held her hand and asked if they could talk later. Bella nodded yes and headed upstairs to text Paulina and Summer to tell them she wouldn't be able to make it today because something came up. She received a reply from Summer who told her not to worry and to take her time. 

Bella smiled. 

It's almost like the child knew what was happening. Heading downstairs, Bella grabbed some of the snacks she had taken earlier and headed to meet her brother who was waiting for her in their garden. She reached him in no time and stopped to briefly take in the sight of him.

 He was home. Her brother was home. Bella had no idea how the conversation was going to go but one thing she knew for sure was that everything would be fine. Not because Rose had told her that in her dream but Bella could just feel it. Bella finally reached her brother and took the seat next to him.

"Nothing has changed," Tyler said looking around.

Bella handed him some snacks and the drinks she brought along. Opening her drinks, Bella breathed deeply and replied, 

"Well, welcome home brother"

With Love,

Grazie.

STAY WOKE!👀

I don't know if you know this, but I believe it is my job to inform you that if you are a Christian? You are the "Wokest" set of people out there.

Don't believe me?

Ask Jesus, he began this woke thing, when he rested for Three days and squared off with death.

He told death, and I think I heard the conversation in my spirit, body, and soul. (because Jesus is Woke like that, he speaks, and your whole being stays alert to listen)

So where was I?

Okay, He told death.

"Why do you have me in a boxing ring?"

Death was being all sassy said

"cause imma beat you till you can't stand no more."

uh-huh (should we tell him)

So Jesus took a sit in death's boxing ring, which had death howling in laughter 

The Narcissist! 

He thinks his intimidating presence caused Jesus to have shaky knees that he had to sit.

Of course, the devil the corrupt referee said "game over" Death won.

I mean ..."Jesus, what were you thinking? No one goes to the boxing ring to have a sit."

The crowds were cheering, and I was so confused. Why give up so easily. Death was prancing about in his victory, while Jesus sat. It felt like 3 hours to me, but could have been 3 minutes or 3 seconds, 

But when Jesus got up ...

know what happened????

The whole crowd fell to their knees, Death lay face flat on the ground and .....I cannot believe my eyes!!!! but the boxing ring is unraveling fast like it was apologizing for boxing in the Master of the universe. 

Standing, Alert, strong, and very much alive. No one needed to declare him the winner. He speaks for himself.

Anyway. The Woke thing is a title for those who have beaten and conquered death.

I believe the crowd was chanting "Woke Jesus" at the end of the match, but hey, could have been the beating of my heart.

Love,

MaryA.

TIME TO GO HOME! (1) 🏡

Tyler Wilson breathed in the cool refreshing air of the evening as he walked along with the college surroundings. The school has been amazing, he is now one of the popular people in college. He partied almost every night and had whatsoever he asked for without struggling to get it. 

He was doing great in his studies as well and he has started to get a lot of opportunities that will make him set for life. His coach had told him just yesterday that some renowned international soccer coaches were going to start to come to his games to watch him and if he can live up to their expectations then he would be drafted into their team.

As he walked along the sidewalk. His eyes caught a newspaper left on a stool someone seems to have left not quite long. Tyler picked up the newspaper and opened it taking his seat on the stool. It was an entertainment newspaper. The front page was filled with interesting A+ list celebrities' latest news mostly scandals about them.

 Tyler flipped through the pages and came to a stop where the headline of a new page read 

"Tragedy struck as famous rapper Rob Dowey dies at age 23 from overdose💔.

Tyler read the headline again. He knew the rapper as he was a huge fan of his and he had some of his songs on his phone playlist. Feeling sad about the rapper's death, Tyler closed the magazine and prayed that Rob Dowey rested in peace as memories of his dead sister that he had a hard time suppressing threatened to rise again. Pushing it to the back of his mind, he made his way to his dormitory.

Later that night as Tyler lay on his bed about to sleep, the door opened and his roommate Edward who like him was on the soccer team entered looking very sad. Tyler sat up in his bed and asked him if he was alright.

" Hey man, is everything OK with you? You look so sad." Tyler asked worriedly

" No, I'm not alright at all" Edward replied and Tyler saw that his roomie was struggling to hold his tears back.

" What's going on?" Tyler asked probing further

"My three years old cousins just passed away," Edward said tears now freely streaming down his face.

"We were already told when he was given birth that due to some complications he had when he was still in his mother's stomach, he won't be able to live long and we all had been expecting his death since then but by the time he clocked three, I guess all of us relaxed thinking he would continue to live on even after the age of three but then he is gone now" Edward continued as thick tears continued to fall from his eyes.

" I'm so sorry," Tyler said. Edward had been one of the few who had stuck by Tyler when he had been overwhelmed with grief after the death of his sister, Rose. The two had gotten close then and they saw each other as not just roomies but best friends and brothers.

" Thanks, man. I'm taking the first flight out back home tomorrow so I'll probably be gone before you wake up tomorrow." Edward said as he began to pack his things into a traveling bag.

A few hours later after Edward had finished packing, Tyler reached for the light switch and turned it off.

"Goodnight man." Tyler greeted Edward

"Goodnight" Edward replied

And then after a few minutes had passed, Tyler heard Edward say

"You know you should go too, man. Go home. You know you want to."

Tyler rolled over on his bed looking up. Sure, he often had thoughts of going home and even though he dreaded going back there because he doesn't think he can bear the absence of his sister Rose from there, he also missed his little sister Bella so much as well as his parent. Edward was right, he so badly wanted to go home and the news he read earlier of Rob Dowey passing away came back to him along with that of Edwards's dead cousin. He needed to go home. He doesn't even know how any of his family was faring because he had been plagued by guilt but enough is enough. He couldn't stand it anymore. He wants to know the well-being of his family and most importantly he wants to see them.

" Yeah man, you're right. I want to go home. I miss my family so much...I am going home" Tyler said with a smile and slept off.

With Love,

Grazie.

COMFORTLESS PURPOSE!!!😟

K

Subconsciously, we know this truth about God and our plans. And yet, does it change anything about us?

In today's devotional, for me. I read about how God pushes us out of our comfort zone in other to fulfill our purposes on earth. 

Come to think about it. Have you ever met any man who fulfilled a purpose from his comfort zone??

Not David nor Esther, Not Elijah nor Deborah, Not Jeremiah nor Mary.

Are you getting the trend here Yet?

Wasn't David basically on the run all his life? Look at Paul who is said to be the greatest apostle, How easy did he have it?

You really cannot fulfill that purpose if you are always in your room, in the same vicinity you've been in all your life. The same vicinity that has yet to nurture that purpose, and yet you just think.....Oh, I'll just have to pray more. 

I'm scoffing at you. You are still saying that in the most comfortable of ways. Get uncomfortable, or the devil will get comfortable with you.

It's that easy to choose, but difficult to follow through, but hey!

His grace is sufficient for you.

Love,

MaryA.

INSIDE MRS. WILSONS LIFE.

Mrs Wilson sighed turning off the television. All these sad news shown on the television did nothing for her except gives her a little creep. She was bored and her husband has gone on one of his volunteering service although it had reduced compared to how often he went before. It doesn't really matter tho because most of the times when he was home they were always at odds which left them barely speaking to eachother but what was she to do, their son Tyler has refused to come back home and Bella although has started improving still had a long way to go and Mrs Wilson felt she had no support whatsoever from her husband .

To distract herself a little, she had begun to put in a lot more into church activities but it still wasn't enough. She misses what her family use to be before everything happened. She misses the lovely conversations she always had with her husband, the dates they often went on when the children had gone for sleepovers, the picnic they all had together as a family every Sunday, the way they always held hands and prayed and the love they all had for one another that always shone brightly which made some families covet what they had.

Mrs Wilson never thought things could be the way they were right now. If she could be granted just one wish then she would wish things went back to how they were before Rose's death. She would give anything to have it all back but since that couldn't be done then she would fight for her family, fight for what they had and fight to restore it all back to how best it could be without Rose.

Standing up, Mrs Wilson made her way to the little shelf in the living room. Opening a locker, she pulled up a couple of photo albums and made her way back to the sitter the same one where the family use to sit on and gather around to go through the pictures together going down memory lane and making fun of eachother. Those fun times always ended with a great dinner being served and then prayer of thanks to God for making their family so wonderful and God made then choruses of "I love yous" were made before they all went to bed.

Mrs Wilson continued to go through the pictures and didn't stop even though tears were now rolling down thickly from her eyes. She closed her eyes tightly letting the memories flood her. Had this been the way Job felt when he had lost all his family too? Opening her eyes she picked up a tissue and blew her nose her eyes catching a picture of Rose on her valedictory service giving the valedictoria speech. She had a huge proud smile on her face looking ready to take on anything thrown her way.

"My baby, m..m..y bbab..b..yy" Mrs wilson cried

"My little girl" she wept clutching her chest.

Mrs Wilson curled up on the sofa clutching Rose picture on her chest and let memories of her and her daughter flood her as tears kept streaming down her face through her closed eyes until sleep overcame her.

With Love,

Grazie.

DREAM RIGHT! 😎

Have you ever had to go on and on and on because you have a goal in mind? But somehow, the more you try, the farther it seems to become. You became your life coach, you became your motivational speaker, you read other people's success stories. So what is going wrong? Why aren't you there yet?

I'll tell you what I did when I was in your shoes. I broke down. The engine of the car quit the Job. So I had to go look for a mechanic. I talked to Jesus.

Often, when it seems like our own strength ain't enough. It's because we ain't doing it the right way. Our strength was never going to be enough for anything in this world. It is always up to us to go to Jesus to tap strength from him. 

Every step of the way, he wants to know what you are using his strength for.

Carry him along, and you'll never have to break down.

Do not be afraid to plan big. Make exceedingly big plans, and go and get strength from God. Do not map it out in your head and decide on your own 

A wise man once said, "Write your purpose down in Permanent Marker, but write the steps to get there in Pencil."   That's right. 

You decide the steps, take it to God, have to fine-tune, then when you make mistakes, you come back for more fine-tuning.

Remember, Dream Big, Use God's strength.

That's the Key.

You serve a God who creates Rivers in the Dessert.

Love,

MaryA.

CHILDHOOD IS A SCAM!!!🥺

Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Ecclesiastes 11:9‭-‬10 KJV

I found this verse yesterday, and it is a summary of how today's youths are living. We are Woke. Aren't we?

Well, I don't really think so. There may not have existed all this technologies at the time of Solomon, but their youths were definitely Woke.

I like Solomon. He didn't tell you to be careful. He infact encouraged us. Go have all the fun, and all the freedom you want, no one is holding you back,  as long as you aren't doing it in ignorance!

Because to every action, there is a consequence. Be it good or bad. Know that for Slaying, or partying hard, or drugs, or singing, or eating. God will bring you to judgement.

There is good Judgement, and there is the other kind of judgement I am determined not to ever experience. You have a choice in this matter. To either follow a world that has an end, or a God that has no end.

There is consequence for your action. Do not let peer pressure or what is trending fool you. There is nothing new under the sun. Not fashion, and definitely not money. A Christian song writer said "when the world begins to see you change, don't expect them to applaud. Just keep your eyes on God and tell yourself that you've become the work of God."

You will lose some friends if you choose God, but you would have challenged them to be better than they realize they could be.

Remember the rounding verse of Solomon. Childhood and Youth are vanity.

Yet, that is where we think the real deal is. Remember, not every child or youth makes it into adulthood. Do not let vanity lead you to hell.

Take charge of your life.

Love,

MaryA.

THE FORGOTTEN VOICE 2!!!🗣️

At this point, Bella was starting to wish she had stayed back home longer. The sermon doesn't seem like it would end anytime soon and Bella was getting irritated because it felt like its been forever since the pastor started preaching. She noticed that some of the congregation had dozed off. She stretched a little and kept her attention to the front and tried to listen to what the pastor was saying.

            The pastor was now talking about receiving the Holy Spirit and how it was a permanent gift. The pastor then went on to say, no matter how terrible things can be, the Holy Spirit is our comforter and he won't ever fail us. He'll never leave us and He's always ready to listen to everything we all have to say to make us feel comfort, peace, and love.

Bella snorted. 

What was the pastor saying? The Holy Spirit does not leave? He's always ready to listen to us? Indeed. He had left her at her most crucial moment. She had needed Him the most but He had deserted her for no reason and what? Does the Holy Spirit listen to everything we have to say to give us comfort? It was the wall of her bedroom that does that for her not the Holy Spirit.

The pastor continued talking about how Man often let themselves be blinded by their grief forgetting about their comforter who is supposed to give them comfort. He said the Holy Spirit is still comforting them but they've chosen to let their situation overcome the relationship they have with the Holy Spirit. He said they have now pushed Him to a corner where all the life situations they've taken into their hands alone have drowned out the voice of their comforter who at times like that was supposed to be their best friend and comforter.

Bella sat up. What was the Pastor saying? The Holy Spirit doesn't leave? Has he's been pushed to a corner? How? If He had spoken to her then she would have known wouldn't she? She hadn't felt His presence after the funeral of her sister and she knew she never asked him to leave or pushed him to a corner so what was the pastor saying? Has she let the situation take control over all the areas of her life that she had drowned out God in everything? 

Suddenly Bella closed her eyes recalling some events that had happened to start from the funeral of her sister. She had in the arms of Paulina in the funeral crying and feeling like life as she knows it was over for her without her sister when a poster hung up in the church had caught her eyes. It had the scripture passage, 

 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make   your paths straight." 

Proverbs3:5-6(NIV)

Slowly, Bella started recalling other events where her eyes caught some words that gave her hope when she needed it, some songs that would play, words that people would say that would completely relate to what she was going through then and also that one time when Bella had gone to visit Rose's grave after her last conversation with her brother Tyler.

 Bella had sat on the floor crying and telling Rose everything Tyler had said and how empty life felt. When she was leaving the cemetery she had looked up at the sky to see a rainbow and when she got home, her mom was playing a hymn titled all will be well. Looking back now, Bella felt tears streaming down her face, looks like the Holy Spirit never left her at all, she was the one who had felt she could handle all her problems on her own and didn't need anyone. 

The Holy Spirit had been communicating to her all this while but she had forgotten completely about Him. She has let her sorrow, anger, and grief drown out His voice. She had forgotten His voice.

Just then, the pastor rounded up the sermon and started a prayer of re-dedication and forgiveness.

 Bella went down on her knees and for the first time in a long time, she bowed her head and prayed tears rolling down her cheeks telling the Holy Spirit how sorry she is after the last amen Bella felt somewhat better and had a little peace within but despite all this Bella still felt something was missing. She didn't know what it was but she felt like she had most of the answers she needed and felt no need to stay back anymore after the service. After the benediction, Bella waved bye to Summer and headed home feeling better than she had in a while.

With Love,

Grazie.

AN IMPROVED YOU!😎

Tips To Improve your Life

1) Meditate - 

A lot of people do not have time to catch their breath, and when they do, they think about the day's activities and what they could have done better.

There is a reason for that proverb that said no use crying over split milk. In a local conversation, it is noted that most people do not reflect so that they could handle situations better, but instead focus on how incompetent or pathetic they think that must have looked.

Meditation frees the mind of toxic thoughts and reminds you of all the things around you, that you should be grateful for. It's a mental Power Up for the day.

2) Diligence - To improve your life, you have to be focused and hardworking. There is no way for you to make progress without diligence. A lot of people keep mentioning how they feel their life has been going in circles, and they are waiting for an opportunity to pluck themselves out. Even when you try something entirely new, you are still doing something that you used to do alongside. Do it deliberately and with a goal in mind.

3) After You Fail  -    A lot of people skip this step in the Improving Your Life Tips. However, failure is a part of life. There are so many lessons embedded in failure, that we really do not want to have to learn, but sometimes, it is a privilege to have failed. Many today, fail once and tell themselves "at least, I tried."

What that means is that the dream you were chasing was never too important for your ego to take a beating. What you do after you fail matters a lot, and will affect how you live your life, and relate to others. 

4) Eating Habit -   This may come as a surprise to you, but you can tell a lot about a man by the way he eats. I'm not here to preach eat healthy, because you know that already. I am talking about portions of Food. Being a Foodie is a thing now, but do you know some people cannot sacrifice their food to share with their friends when everyone else is hungry? 

Often, They come off as self-involved and self-centered. Such people find it difficult to see the bigger picture unless they are the stars along every step of the way. However, their eating habit says about them, that they would find it difficult to pay the price of diligence and discipline to attain their dreams.

5)  God -     I am Going to Stop here. If you Believe in God, then you know he has a lot of amazing facts for you. One of my favorites is 

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Now, why won't I want to do all things, when I am using someone else's strength? 

Have a great day!

And an improved life.

Love,

MaryA.

BEFORE YOU DIE.

My days are like a shadow that declineth; And I am withered like grass. But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; And thy remembrance unto all generations.

Psalm 102:11‭-‬12 KJV

I was reading this last night, when it occured to me that in reality, We all live for just a moment.

We weren't made to last, just like all this new phones. We weren't made to last on this side of eternity. There is an ageless side of eternity where the toll of the years won't etch itself on our skins. We will be just as we are.

But before then, how do I live? That is the question that plagued my mind. we do not need an oracle to tell is that we are not here for the fashion, foods or politics. We are here for each other.

What would you do differently if you knew what time, hour and seconds you would die?

I'll give you two possible answers.

You live life like the "YOLO" (You only live once) gang and show up at every club, party and fights.

And when you are close to your death bed, you completely repent.

or..

You find out what your purpose really is, and you go ahead and make God Proud.

As it is now, we do not know our expiring date.

Would you say those who died at the end sars protest signed a death warrant before going? Or an innocent man who slumped in his room and died? Or a woman in labor who never lived to see her child?

Death is all around us, and we all must Expire at one point.

What would you do differently?

Love,

MaryA.

BROKEN HEARTS! 💔

Say to those who are broken hearted, do not be afraid. The lord your God is strong, and with his mighty hands, when you call on his name, will come and save you.

~ Bob fitts

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 34:18 KJV

Heartbreak! It is low-key a dreaded word. So many things tend to want to break our hearts each day. To crown it all, Jesus promised that we will suffer such things similar to heartbreaks. It is a part of life. ugh.

We associate heart break with Relationships, but heartbreak is wider than that. That feeling you get about yourself as if you are a waste of space? Yep. Heartbreak.

Sometimes, it's because we have failed and we watch all our dreams, plans and labors come crashing down in rubble's around us. That's heartbreak.

When people in your life choose to believe a lie about you instead of having faith in you. It's heartbreak.

When you start feeling guilty about something you did wrong, or something you should have done and failed to do. Heartbreak.

Death of a loved one? Heart break.

The list goes on and on, and you find that heartbreak lurks at every corner, and you just have to be careful that it doesn't jump on you.

But really, we do not have control over this circumstances.

Heartbreak comes in various shapes and sizes, but you have got to believe that God is closest to you in that moment.

If you have a child, that suddenly screams your name in agony, no matter where you are, or who is in front of you, you would leave whatever it is you are doing and go to that child. The child will still feel the pain, but there is a sense of assurance that his/her parent will take care of it.

Sometimes we call on God in our heartbreaks and grief, but when he comes, we push him away and tell him the pain is greater than he could fix.

It's difficult, but God can and will heal you if you let him. He will never leave you in that position alone. He's here for you.

Close your eyes, take a deep, deep breath and let him have it all. Your anger, your pains, your heartbreaks, and let him comfort you.

Love,

MaryA.

MONDAY MONEY! 💰

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: Fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: But those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.

Psalm 37:7‭-‬9 KJV

Happy New Week!

I know most of us aren't exactly excited about Mondays, but you should be today because I have a secret to share with you.

I was watching an American movie. (non-christian), and the main actor said something that latched on to me.

 She said "I am not like everyone else, who lives everyday to make money, that's a waste of time. I have a purpose and a dream.'

Money is a poor replacement for purpose or dreams. An extremely poor replacement. If you ask an average man, what his purpose is, it involves being stupidly rich. Now, I am not one to preach against money, but that lady in the movie? She was right.

Lately, I find so many courses teaching you how to make money in this and that. One of the common ones is affiliate marketing. I found myself discussing with several smart and amazing minds one day, and they pointed out that affiliate marketing isn't within everybody's skill set, but because it promises money, they go for it. Lately, being tech savvy is the thing to do, and even though you know your strength doesn't lie in tech, because it brings money, you ignore your strength and go for it.

What I am trying to say is this. I get how difficult it is to stand aside and try to forge your own path, when it seems like the smartest thing to do is to do what everyone else is doing because of the success rate.

Lastly, do you know God designed you for a purpose?  When people think about God's purpose, they immediately picture a life of poverty (let me tell you now, that is insulting God, who owns every riches. You basically just called him stingy)

Anyway, Because God designed a unique purpose for man, Satan designed a catchy distracting one for man... Two guesses what?

(money)

Does that make money evil? Not necessarily.

 Money is a distraction from your actual purpose. Do you think your parents who weren't rich didn't want to be? Yet they survived. Not everyone chasing convenience and riches will ever be... but when you seek first the kingdom of God, You can never go wrong.

Now, you are armed with this truth. What are you going to do about it?

Love,

MaryA 

THE FORGOTTEN VOICE.🗣️

Bella flipped the pages of the book in front of her but she wasn't seeing any of the words before her. Her mind was far away, the way it had been since that day she heard a voice in the park. Bella didn't know what to make of it nor did she understand what the voice meant. Closing the book, Bella sat back in her chair and closed her eyes trying to recur the event. Bella knew fully well enough that the voice was from God but the question is why? The Holy Ghost had left her so why would God reach out and talk to her not like what He said helped anything but why did God bother at all.

It was Thursday which meant there was a revival service in the church. Bella got up, took a shower, and for the first time in months, she got dressed for church. She needed answers to all these questions and confusions that she has been dealing with since the park event and if she was going to get answers there was only one sure place she could go which was church.

 Bella looked at the time, she was already an hour late which left just two hours more for the service to be over. That was okay with her since all she wanted to do was see the pastor after service to tell him what happened so he can give her the answers she needed.

Some minutes later, Bella walked into the church making some of the congregation turn their heads, Bella heard some of them begin to whisper to each other. She sighted her parent, her mother was in the front seat while her father was seated on the podium looking as shocked as some of the congregation. Mrs. Wilson turned around just then to see what had caught her husband's attention and her mouth dropped open just as her eyes grew wide as she watched her daughter make her way into the church.

Bella felt a small hand tug at her hand and looked down. It was Summer signaling her to take the space beside her. Bella dropped down on the seat and patted Summer's head smiling at her.

"I prayed for this" Summer spoke

"Prayed for what?" Bella asked in a whisper. The last thing she wanted was to gain more attention from the congregation.

"This. You come to church." Summer replied also dropping her voice to a whisper.

"Oh," Bella said and turned her attention to the front. 

The pastor was saying something about the gifts of the Spirit. Bella listened with rapt attention. Maybe she would start getting some answers from here. It had been forty minutes but Bella hadn't gotten what she wanted. Sliding back on her seat, Bella closed her eyes preparing to doze off when she felt a cool tap and a voice in her ear saying   

" If you shall seek the LORD your God, you will find him, if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul."

Bella sat upright and opened her eyes.

"Did you tap me?" Bella asked Summer.

"No. I didn't" the child replied

"Did you say something then?" Bella continued.

"No I didn't..wait Bella were you sleeping?" Summer asked 

" I didn't get to" Bella muttered under her breath.

This just added more to her need to get answers and what was it with the voice speaking to her in riddles? She wanted answers only nothing more. It had nothing to do with God so why did the voice say she is seeking God? Bella couldn't wait for the service to be over so she can finally get to ask the pastor all her questions and get the answers she needed but for now, she had to listen to the rest of the sermon.

With Love,

Grazie.

LIKE A BUTTERFLY!!! 🦋

Bella stood in front of her house. The school was over for that day and Bella couldn't be more glad. She didn't think she could take any more condolences or bear to be surrounded by the numerous picture of Rose the school still had hung up everywhere and she sure is not looking forward to the memorial service the school is hosting in honor of Rose either in two. Bella shuffled her feet and looked up at the sky, the sun was very bright today and Bella thought of taking a walk. 

  No one was home anyway. Her dad had taken up one of the volunteer jobs he often did and her mom was attending a prayer meeting with some other church members and none of them was bound to come home early until much later in the evening. She turned around and started to walk. She kept walking occasionally giving an acknowledging nod when greetings were thrown her way in response. And just as she reached a nearby park and sunk into a chair, she had a flashback.

     Bella and Rose were talking about the success of that week's evangelism and they had been walking home when a butterfly had caught Bella's attention. Bella had always viewed the Holy Spirit as a butterfly that is as something that once you catch just a sight of it you become very unwilling to let it go but it's just as easy to lose it. Then Bella had told Rose of her thoughts and Rose had agreed to say she had never thought of the Holy Spirit that way but she loved Bella's view of it.

To encourage her more, Rose had told her that they should follow the butterfly since they had some time to kill before they were expected back home. The two sisters had held hands and followed the butterfly until they came to a park where the butterfly had stopped at a tree. 

   Rose had looked at her sister smiling at her and asked how she felt. Bella had told her that she wanted to be able to call the butterfly her own and have it as her possession forever. Two weeks later when Bella became baptized with the Holy Spirit in a church service, Rose had told her "looks like you got your butterfly After all now remember to keep it jealously because it's very easy to lose. Mind your words, thoughts, and action." Bella was five years old then and Rose was seven years old when that happened.

  

   It was that same park that Bella is currently in now. Bella watched the butterfly get ready to take off from the tree into the air again and she wondered about when the Holy Spirit left her. She missed the overwhelming peace and happiness she felt when she had the Holy Spirit. She missed the way she could feel his presence and the way she often talked to him. Bella tried to remember the exact moment the Holy Spirit left her but she couldn't tell. All she knows was that every happiness she use to feel left her after Rose's death. She hadn't expected the Holy Spirit who was her best friend to leave her also.

    Bella pulled her legs up to her chest as she wondered why the Holy Spirit left her. She knew all about not grieving the Holy Spirit and all but with the closeness she had with Him, Bella had thought that it would be difficult for the Holy Spirit to leave her. She had lost Rose, her parents often didn't know what to say to her. It mostly felt like they were just housemates and her brother had cut off communication after blaming her for their sister's death and to top it all off the one person she never thought would leave her left also. What happened to the scripture that says the Holy Spirit will always be there to comfort her because right when she needs Him, he had left? And at that moment where Bella cuddled up on the bench, tears falling from her eyes, she felt a cool breeze that blew not only around her but also in every part of her body, and then she heard at that moment in a voice that felt like a gentle whisper that felt like a caress,

"The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you."

With Love,

Grazie.

YOU AND FUTURE YOU!👀

Self - Development

Yeah, it's that Topic.

Firstly, I think we can all agree, that without progress, life will be full of emptiness.

Good.

It is a shame that many assume that, because life seems to progress on its own, they have also progressed along with it.

Those are not quite true. Real progress takes Real and Conscious Effort. Anything that demands progress, demands real and conscious effort.

In five years, do you still want to be where you are right now, doing the same things, with the same sets of skills?

I know the majority are comfortable where they are as long as the pay is good. At least, they are comfortable until someone close to them leaves them behind, then they begin to scramble, trying to catch up.

This is called Self-Development, not Community Development. So if you are not ready to develop yourself without waiting for a partner or friend, this post is not for you.

These are a few Steps to Self-Development

Have a Plan -    I know you have heard this lots of time, but having a plan guides you in your area of development

Learn to say No -  This is very difficult for most people, but usually, when you have a goal/plan, it gives you the courage and a reason to say No. Not every Task is for you. It's not disrespect, it is spending the valuable time, God gave you wisely.

Get Out-  What I mean is, do not stay in your comfort zone. This is not an era where opportunity comes looking for you. You create opportunities. Try something different, and celebrate your little wins

Be Persistent-  This is where the remaining 50%  of your Self-Development lies. It won't matter if you tried all the steps above, and gave up later, you have to continue steadily, consistently, and persistently, especially when you don't feel like it.

See you at the Top.

Love,

MaryA.

NO PEACE, JUST JESUS!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 KJV

Why are you looking for peace in the wrong place???

Well Hello to you too.

Let's take a trip down memory lane.

Remember SARS??? Remember The protest? Remember COVID-19? Now, it's the War.

Well, this is not a place to find peace exactly. The world Cannot give peace, why?

The world Doesn't Know the Master of Peace, it is not in its nature to Give Peace when it doesn't know what it is.

Jesus' told us that we are not of this world, and if we are not of this world, then we should keep our mind on things above, looking unto Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith.

Spend some time reading your bible, you will find out that the world thrives in chaos. During that period, it feels like a Trade Fair for sin. You find Immorality, Pride, Scorn, Fornication, Lust of the Eye, and more. All this leads to mass Chaos. Covetousness and Greed are not left behind.

Be careful Christian, We tend to be manning the stall selling Self-righteousness, Pride, Covetousness, Power, Fame, and Money.

Stop Justifying it, with the scriptures. Yes, the bible says he wants your soul to prosper, but the guideline says "seek ye first the kingdom of God."

That little sin that you are justifying now, will slam you down soon.

Remember, there is no peace in this world, except in Christ. Everything else you are chasing will only give you an appearance of peace, but never peace itself.

Love, 

MaryA.

BRAVE OR FOOLISH?!!!

The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

I and my friend have found ourselves in a position where we either have to do what someone else says (an elderly) or risk disappointing them. We have to choose between disappointing our families, and friends or disappointing them. Naturally, we want to disappoint our family and friends because we think. Yh, they will understand.

However, we soon realized we would be that friend or family member they could not rely on because they are always available for someone else but their family.

Now it seems our hands are tied because we work for these elderly people too.

In cases like this, we realized that we had to depend on the wisdom of God. What Would Jesus Want Us To Do?

Maybe your case is just A Tad bit different. Remember that Your family is very important. This weekend, I was ready to stand my ground, and tell this elder what I think of their demands, and why I would like them to miss me with such demands later in life.

The same bible that says we should respect our parents and elders, told us that God is not a respecter of persons.

This is how tricky the situation is. Sometimes, we need God's wisdom e on how to respect our elder's wishes, and other times, he tells us to be brave and put our foot down.

He told us to go in the courage of Elijah.

I pray that God will help us.

Happy New Month!!

Love,

MaryA.

BACK TO SCHOOL!!🏢

Bella woke to the sound of her alarm clock. Stretching, she yawned and flipped the cover off her and got off the bed. Taking the alarm clock she turned it off and dragged herself into the bathroom. She took a quick bath and got dressed in her school uniform which consisted of a wine pleated skirt which used to be beyond her knees but she has had it shortened to a little above her knees now. The white long sleeved oversized shirt she used to wear has now been held in the sides to make them tight on her. Donning on a wine sweater that had the name of the school Bella attends on it, St Augustine High School.

Bella rushed downstairs grabbed two pancakes out of the plates left on the dining table and walked out of the house where a car was waiting to pick her up. She entered into the white car driven by her bestfriend dads. The whole ride to school was akward which was unusual because Bella and Mr Peters use to banter a lot and Mr Peters considered Bella his daughter but now the man just kept glancing at her in the mirror not knowing what to do or say to her especially since Bella had put on headphones after replying to Mr Peter greetings with a nod. Bella didn't even seem interested or happy to see Paulina who was her very best friend after a long time. When Paulina had grinned broadly happy to see her bestfriend again, Bella barely even acknowledged her bestfriend's presence and had only answered Mr Peters greeting with a nod before shutting them all out by putting on headphones which had music blarring from it.

Shutting her eyes, Bella thought if her decision to go back to school was the best thing. Her parents had offered to change school for her to get her a fresh start but Bella had refused because she didn't want anyone to think of her as a weak person. She really wasn't looking forward to seeing her school mates or friends but maybe just maybe school would fill some of the emptiness in her since school was one of Bella's favourite place and she actually felt kind of excited to go to school again after taking off some time she was given to mourn her sister's death.

The car came to a stop infront of St Augustine High. Bella got out of the car and walked into the school and from the corner of her eyes she saw Paulina running to meet up with her. Paulina Peters and Bella Wilson has been friends since the time they first met at kindergarten and the two were very close. They did everything together and Paulina and Bella always slept over at eachothers house all the time. Paulina often went out on outings with both the Wilson sisters when Rose was still alive and Rose was like an elder sister to her. She and Bella had held eachother at Roses funeral and cried. However after the funeral, Paulina felt her bestfriend distancing herself from her. Bella wouldn't return her calls or reply her messages and whenever she had gone to visit Bella no matter how long she waited, Bella refuse to show up and despite all this Paulina never failed to always text her bestfriend sending her Bible verses, songs they both sung when Bella was still in the choir and letting her know she would be there for her no matter what.

As Paulina and Bella walked into the school, Bella took off her headphone looking around her. Students were heading towards her with cards and flowers in their hands but what Bella was focused on were the pictures of Rose pasted almost everywhere in school. Bella felt anger bubbling up inside her but kept her peace as she kept on walking struggling hard not to make eye contact with any of Roses pictures pasted. Soon she walked to her locker where she became surrounded by a lot of students holding out their flowers and cards to her. She ignored them and found her way to the principal's office. Bella could feel the gaze of the students behind her and she couldn't tell if it was because they were wondering at the change in her uniform or because they felt pity for her. Bella didn't care either way she had caught some of the students wisphering about her in the hall. Bella knocked once and entered the principal office where she found the principal and other teachers in the office.

"Come in Bella, we were just discussing about you. You haven't missed much and your teachers are willing to help in anyway they can to help you catch up with the rest" Principal Reynold says

Bella nodded hoping this would be the end of the conversation

"I am sure you have seen the pictures of Rose we put up. We are holding a service in honour of her this Friday since she was an exemplary alumni student of this school" Mrs Reynold went on

"And you're having it now since her death. Why?" Bella couldn't help asking.

" Your presence and that of your parent is needed so we waited till you got back to school" Mrs Reynold replied.

Bella has always had nothing but love and respect for Mrs Reynolds. Mrs Reynolds has always come through for Bella when she was having any school problem and she sometimes referred to the woman as her guardian infact the whole school looked up to Mrs Reynold.

"Ok, I'll be sure to inform them" Bella said

What Bella really wanted to say was that she wasn't looking forward to having any memorial service with bunch of people who either didn't know who Rose was or never bothered to know her or knew her but never really cared come and pretend like her sister meant something to them. 

After sometime, Bella was dismissed and as she found her way down the hall to walk into her classroom, her breath caught and she reached for the nearest wall and slid down it as memories of she and Rose in school came flooding back. Who was she kidding? Rose was a huge part of school for her and there is no way she would cope with school withwout her sister.

Who would pick her up from school and take her to the nearest restaurant to talk about the day event? Who would she talk to about what volunteer club to join for the new session? Who would she vent her problems to and who could understand her perfectly the way Rose did? The bell rang and Bella picked herself from the floor wiping her eyes feeling grateful that the hallway was still empty and no one had seen her fall apart. She picked her way to class carefully willing the day to move fast so she could get school overwith and go home.

With Love,

Grazie

HIDDEN BANK OF WEALTH!🤑

We are Sorry for our absence yesterday.

so we pick up today

Jeremiah 29:11 says:

‘For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.’

Well, I find that hard to believe, in between all the chaos in this world and people dying left and right, God has his hands full. Giving me a good plan is less important, I have to find my way!

LIES!!!! Lies of the Devil. Are the Lord's hands short? You have to stop assuming you understand everything God is doing. Abraham was God's friend. God told him his plans, yet he didn't understand God's reason. hence he bargained and failed. 40 people became 10 people, and then he realized. Whoa, God. I see what you mean now.

One of the things I want you to consider today is how your purpose is very important in the grand scheme of things. Maybe you are thinking, what Nigeria needs is a youth president that will overrule tyranny and corruption, whereas, God is waiting on you, because unless Jonathan Loves David, and chose to give up his throne, maybe David also would have stopped believing.

We are all important, Your purpose is important for Nigeria to survive. The dying people are depending on you to discover your purpose. God uses people to intervene, but we want to just chase money and turn God into a magician who waves his wands and then fixes everything once.

If you do not find your purpose, You would have failed God, but God would not fail, he would find someone else to replace you.

Dr. Miles Munroe once said that the richest place in the world was the Graveyard because it is filled with unfulfilled potentials, unwritten books, unwritten music, presidents of organizations, nations, cooperations, world-renowned ministers but never became those things they were meant to be.

You need to decide if that is how you want to end up, or if you want to follow that path that God has designed for you. I know I want to follow him. You should too.

To find your hidden wealth, you must look inwards, the things you love to do, and how it brings glory to God, then take it before God and let him eliminate those things you don't need to focus on, like he did with Jesse's family when he was looking for David.

That part of you, that you consider insignificant, might just be what God wants. There is nothing insignificant about you.

Love,

MaryA.

Money, Fun And What else????🤔

Let's take a bit of time to fave reality.

Really. This is a time to consider the cliche but the necessary question "Why am I here?"

Well, Hello Purpose!

I saw a post yesterday that says we were sent from heaven so that we can compete to make heaven.

I smiled at the ignorance In that statements, and then I realized, that nearly everyone is ignorant, that is why we have few people fulfilling purpose.

Once someone hears purpose, they begin to think of something with an elevated platform, where the whole world can see them. Let me tell you the truth, those people with platforms now didn't begin thinking they would get that platform. The platform is not for all. Some are called to be behind the scenes ensuring everything else runs smoothly.

We will always chase money, fun activity, drugs, affection, and sex if we fail to consider and accept God's love first. All these things are custom-made replacements, the devil has created to divert man from receiving what is already made available for him. God's love.

I wrote an exam last month, and there was a passage we had to read. it was an excerpt from a book, and it spoke deeply, about how we have underestimated man's innate need for a diversion. something to divert their attention away from reality. The writer was talking in terms of technology, but how true is this? 

That even Church activities had replaced real moments of fellowship with Christ?

Of course, you will run that race, and you will be tired, you will fill this empty longing in your heart, and you will tell yourself "if I had a job, it will leave" or "if I had money or a successful business", and then you get that, but it's not enough, so you think...."if I were married" and marriage didn't solve it because "if my spouse would just act a certain way"

There will always be an "If this", and "If that" but the weight of your emptiness can never in this life or the life to come be filled with anything, not even my another man's love, save God's love.

we'll continue tomorrow.

Remember "God has placed eternity in the heart of every man."

Love,

MaryA.