2014; Just like the Eagle

Sitting in the kichen in a place called ‘lovujo’ (Nawfija) reminiscing of the past 365 days; I keep screaming Toby stop (the boy is a handful at 2) from pressing laptops, phones to digging up the car key where it is hidden to start the alarm or just listen to the sound the remote makes whenever he presses it *deep breath* or is it my 5 month old brother whose smile lights my heart and reminds me God is just too faithful and He definitely likes to show-off with His mind blowing miracles.

Village Chronicles

Spending the last days of 2013 with my family gives me every reason to be thankful. It’s been amazing; the laughters, division of labour by my sisters and cousins, dad’s funny jokes and picture poses and mum’s workaholic life (I’m constantly asking her to leave the kitchen).

I met a few amazing people, rekindled lost friendship but in the midst of that I realised I didn’t have to change who I was or my beliefs to fit into anyone’s mould. Often times we hear God’s Word concerning a situation; we are in a hurry to see it come to pass and we try to help God forgetting He doesn’t need our help. All He needs is for us to believe and work by His leading and not work Him into our schedule.
I don’t have to be any other person, pray to be like someone cos’ truthfully no one has got a perfect life, we all have different destinies and assignments on earth. Am I saying you shouldn’t have people you look up to? NO rather emulate the good you see while you learn from the mistakes they have made.

As babies, before we started walking we crawled and fell down but it didn’t stop us from trying again. You may have made some mistakes like me (which is a common denominator with everyone – it shows we are human) learn from them. You probably made some plans for the year that weren’t achieved,  don’t beat yourself up no one said it’s wrong to carry it over. Remember you’re the sole owner of your life on earth, we can all say what we think you should do but at the end of the day it’s your life; you’ll be at the receiving end of your decisions.

Shut out all the clutter, have a me-time, applaud yourself for the successes, re- strategise. What do you have to do differently?  You can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Let go of past hurts and enter 2014 light.

Looking back, would I have asked for a different year? Errmm… NOPE. I’m totally grateful for the entire year; I’m a better person now.
A big THANK YOU for your visit to this blog; you gave me reasons to keep on writing. For all those who sent in an entry for the Journey of 2013 series I appreciate it but most importantly for letting people into your life and allowing your story to be a blessing to someome.

I’m not sure the 31 days in December will be enough to share more inspiring stories cos’ 2014 is ushering us into a new phase, almost everyone who wrote in had to shed some old feather in form of habits, relationships and all. Just like the Eagle we will all have renewed strength ascend heights we would have never imagined.

See you on the other side.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Light up the fireworks and yes been a while I lit one, I’ll be doing it this night.
Loads of Love
JMAD.
 

The journey of 2013 – Sommie’s story

The journey of 2013 – Safs’ story

Safs is the kind of person you sit at her feet to learn how to speak good english. She’s got a good command of english; I wish this was a video post. Enough of me.

My name is Safiya Akau, Media Officer for Oxfam, Nigeria. A TV Documentary Producer, loves reading, travelling and meeting people. Been in the media world for over 15 years. Walks by faith and not sight, because all one has to do is believe and leave the rest to God.

A year of mind boggling and shocking events that went swiftly, like we went through it in minutes. I can’t just believe we have reached the end of the year but I’m grateful to see the end. Its been a year of God being on point when I least expected Him.

Yeah, there were many plans, hopes and wishes but God did just what He felt was good for me and I am grateful. One of the most important aspect of the things I’m thankful for, is being SINGLE. Shocking right? Well, I realized that there is a reason for that and I wouldn’t have pulled through magnificently without being the single He wanted me to be! Yep, because I thought by now I should be in this sizzling romantic and reaching the aisle relationship but God says not yet. Its been a peaceful year without some ‘tug of war’, lol. You know what I mean.

Special moments! Sure there were, too numerous to count but the most importantly was traveling and returning in one piece, especially by Air. So many wishes and desires but only the ones He said YES to came to pass.

However, the shocking events were realizing that those you call ‘MUST friends’ are actually ‘RUST FRIENDS’. Meaning: Must friend: a best friend, a member of your inner circle, a person you count on when something big happens in your life and Rust friend: a person you’ve known for a long, long time; you’re probably not going to get any closer to that person, unless something changes, but a part of your life.

I learnt that with so much pain but I’m glad it came to view. Now I know, lol.

 In all I am truly grateful to God for love, opportunities (great ones), family, wisdom and life.

Good bye 2013! Welcome Promising 2014!!

The journey of 2013 – Nnamdi’s story

I met Nnamdi through his cousin who’s a friend of mine too. He’s a testimony personified, enjoy the ride.

All my life God made sure I was never late; I grew up fast and really tall. I got into secondary school early enough and finished just in time too. University was faster, not an extra second, no carry-overs, four years on the dot, I became one proud economist. Sooner than expected, I think I took it for granted and reduced the amount of praise I returned to God. I took away the attention from Him, I began to believe ‘I can do all things’ but I forgot it was through Christ. Ever merciful, He taught me lessons, I had to learn.

My name is Nwachuku Nnamdi, I am 24. Nigeria media track is where I work; an integrated media firm. I got in about three weeks ago as a staff writer. I passed out of the national service scheme in June 2013; I didn’t bother pushing to be retained where I served because obviously I don’t want to become a teacher (no offence to the profession). I came back to Abuja to find non-existent jobs, or at least, so I thought.

God took me through a walk to understand that life is beyond self-strength, it is beyond people we know or claim to know. All along, neither jobs I applied for nor had someone refer me ever worked. I walked round Abuja dropping CV’s in any building that looked like an office; be it government-related or otherwise. I am human, as such, I got depressed from the amount of rejection I suffered, later became frustrated but Baba was teaching that life is beyond what we can do or what we feel we can do, indeed, it is not by strength but by His loving and tender mercies, His grace kept me.

Kudos to beautiful hearts like that of Jmad, she amongst several others kept comforting and reminding me about God’s word. Sometimes even without knowing we tend to take God’s praise for ourselves. The air you breathe, each time you travel and get back unharmed, the food you eat, and the roof above your head. God taught me that in all things we should acknowledge His influence and grace. He indeed is a God for the people.

A blackberry broadcast got me my job. On the faithful morning, I was washing; I did not plan to come out that day. When all hope seemed lost, God showed indeed that he is God. I enjoyed supernatural favor during my interview, I was certain the job was mine especially as the questions bothered around my strengths.

I have learnt to trust God in all I do. I have learnt to return all praise to Him too. I have learnt to manage finances better, I have learnt to prioritize and plan more efficiently, and most importantly I have learnt to take all my problems to God.

600 words may not be enough to express myself, but I urge those of you reading this, whatever problem you are going through, God is not unaware. He knows and allows us to pass through phases. For Gold to be as appreciated as it is today, it has to undergo several heating processes to purify it; indeed, NO STORM, NO STORY! God is in control, hand the case over to Him and have faith. The fact that you are alive is already enough reason to give praise. I lost a family friend this year; several others suffered different losses too but we are alive. Tell me, why shouldn’t we give Him all the praise? Baba, I duff my hat for you. Kneeling and with a grateful heart, I say TUALE JESUS!