What list are you currently on?

I've been on various lists in my life, I mean there are so many. To name a few;

a) List of Noise makers ~
b) List of Portion workers ~
c) List of Spoon washers ~
d) etc

Kinda pointless even naming them all. However, sometime last week, I found out that I am on the Dean's List. Woohoo...let's celebrate a little



Alright, I'm done. I was really happy to find out. Not that it's going to make me any more beautiful, or smarter -alas, it won't even make me have more money. How I wish though. Most important even, it won't make me be any closer to God. The point of it is that I'm so happy to know that my effort and hard-work got me on that kind of list. A good one. The question I'm asking myself now is 'Will I be able to remain on it?'

Let's hope.

When I relate this list with my spiritual life however, I just keep wondering, what kind of list has God put me on? I know the list I want to be in, and I know I will definitely 'by His Grace' be in that list and stay there.
The Question I have for you today is 'What list are you currently on?'. Not only for your earthly lives, but your spiritual ones.
Of course I'm not talking about the Dean's list oh. But in your place of work, in your character, etc.

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My exams start and end next week and I'm so eager to get it done with but the sad part is that school starts a week after then. Bummer! However, my parents are coming and I'm so excited. I've just been thinking of all the homemade food. Okro soup, Ogbono, Fried Rice, Pepper soup, Egusi soup...please if you know what I mean, start salivating. Oh did I forget to mention the shopping and the fellowships and all of that? Too excited in fact.

Although, I do have to start thinking of what I'll have my parents do, since they've decided to 'quit their jobs and normal daily lives' to stay here for a month! A whole month! The worst part is that where I am is like a dead zone. Do you know those Verizon Wireless commercials where they talk about Dead zones and all, or is it T-mobile? Well, none of the phone companies can bail me out of this one, unfortunately.

Today, I want you to Count Your Blessings. You know the song right? Count your blessings name them one by one...
--------> "Click me" <---------
Familiar tune?

The devil accuses us of things we've not done or should have done but didn't do. He's always picking on us, making us feel worse off about things. It shouldn't be like that. Don't let him win over your situation. I'm sure there may be sometimes you're meant to be happy but you're feeling down, -Yup, the devil's work.

Think Positive, be positive, behave positive and live positive.
"Let the light into your life and the darkness will flee" ~from my Daily Might.

Bye, it's almost time for my Calculus test. Silly people, giving us test a week before exams, Mcheum.


~Al

I asked the air, "Why me?"

Do you ever sit, stare at nothing in particular and wonder to no one around, "Why me?"
Or perhaps you shut your eyes to sleep and you still question the darkness, "Why me?"
Or, maybe something tragic just happened and as the tears roll down your eyes, you cry. "Why me?"

Then we were once the same kind of persons.
There are so many things that have happened in my life that have made me question myself those two words. and honestly, the answers aren't evident sometimes.

The plans I had for myself were simple, according to any other female's plans (maybe some males too) I would believe..

1) Get into a good University for Undergraduates
2) Maybe/maybe not get a good boyfriend who may later be the one
3) Graduate by the age of 21/22
4) Start Masters that same year or the next (For those in Nigeria, perhaps NYSC befor Masters)
5) Get a good job
6) Get Married
7) "Mama...Dada", and live happily ever after.
8) All the above before/by the age of 30

I mean, this is it right? The typical path. However, my case is different in some aspects of the list, and it makes me question "Why me?"

There's a reason for everything that happens in one's life, but sometimes I wonder how that reason can be made manifest. It's true that some of us never find out the reason, while some of us do, but there always is.

A very good reason I've come to realize is that sometimes, we are going on the wrong path and even though there are signs along it that show us to turn around:




We still go on. Our inability to see these signs doesn't make us any less smarter, but for those deeply rooted in Christ, even though we still can't see those signs, even if it's for God to use a helicopter to carry us away, He will do it! At this point though, a lot of damage may have already been caused.
[Figuratively speaking]Perhaps your shoes began to wear and the sole of your feet got injured, or perhaps something flew right into your eyes and you became blind <-----whatever the case anything at all. Although some of those signs along the road may not be from God. When God is trying to lead us through the right path, we may see signs telling us we can't make it there.

Stop Wasting Your time!

In the process, you'll have to walk through the snow, the fog, the heat and the rain. But hold on to God's Unchanging Hands, and you'll get there. Hmmm, maybe not in one piece, but you'll surely get there. Although, He'll help patch you up. That's what He does, honestly!

So, I'm here at the age of Twenty-almost still undergoing my undergraduate degree with about 1,2,3 more years to go....
Do I still question the air much "Why me?" Not really, because the day I got my US-visa, I somewhat knew why it was me. I'll talk about that later...

Anyway! So the next time you go "Why me?", realize that God has a plan and that you're not walking alone. God didn't say we'll never face troubles/hardships/etc, but one thing we should know is that we'll never face them alone

Sometimes, things don't work out the way we want them to because God realizes we are not ready. This can apply in so many ways. I have to study for my Accounting test now, it's tomorrow and it's hard. Please pray for me, thanks!

See ya...

ps: When we do fall astray, He's ready with His rod. Although God's corrections are sometimes hard to take, they're a token of His love. Always remember this:
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens" (Hebrew 12:5-6)

When your earthly father flogged/flogs you, he did/does it because he may have thought/think that's the right way, but when your Heavenly Father flogs you, He always knows that's the right way!

~Al

They called me "Grandma"

"Yes Grandma", B said with a smile.

Back then, my friends called me Grandma. I didn't like hearing it, because it made me feel old. You know, Grandmothers are usually old, but I didn't relate it properly to myself. Of course I wasn't old, and I certainly didn't look old!

Today when I think back, I know why I was called that. I gave serious advises and encouragements!
I'm one to advise and encourage people a lot and honestly, I don't know where I get my words or energy from, but I'm good at it sometimes, and maybe oft times not. But I've advised and encouraged in the past, still advise and encourage in the present and will continue to advise and encourage in the future.

Actually, scratch that bit. I know where the energy and words come from, at least now I know. Anyway, sometimes I wish the way I am in some people's lives, that others will also be that way to me.(Not that some aren't like that though)
Remain positive and optimistic even when there seems to be no way, remembering that no matter how hard, cruel, sad and annoying things may be, there's always a reason for it all.

Being the caretaker over many years now, I've realized I don't know how to be taken care of. It's hard and it's somewhat weird when I think of it. I don't have so many people to talk to, because I know that people go through problems of their own, and for others, I get the wrongest words ever; at least words that are not even related to my concern(I'm not talking about advise from elders though).

It's easy for me to say 'Things will be fine'
It's easy for me to say 'God is in control'
It's easy for me to say 'Congratulations!'
It's easy for me to say 'I'm so happy for you :)'

<----Those statements aren't easy because they are just statements combined by words, but because that's how I really feel for whatever the occasion. Even with those that offend me, I still rejoice in their success and mourn for their downfalls. I believe it's the way God has made me, and I also believe that many are this way, which is a good thing!

"Is it good to care about others more than you care about yourself?"
I really don't know the answer to that question, because in some ways it's good and some, not so good. If I don't take care of myself, how will I care for others?

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" <---- I try, I honestly really do, but sometimes my love is returned with

a)Lust( a few guys and I'm not even joking)
b)Envy
c)Hatred
d) A word not even found in the dictionary

So what do I do? I'm not a Saint and I don't know it all. I don't even want to know it all, that's boring.

We ask God for wisdom and guidance everyday and for Him to take the lead in all areas of our lives. I want you to know that in many cases, God presents a physical person in His stead for us, and it's up to us to follow His Lead. It's not always hard for me to know there's something troubling a friend, or just a mere acquaintance, and it's not always easy to have the right words to say, but one thing I always pray for is that my words will bless them along the way. It's happened so many times with some people I know, and they thanked me even when I didn't know what I did.

I'm not as strong as you think but my energy regenerates from various directions.

They called me "Grandma", but I'm not sure how much longer I can be just that, but with God by my side, I shall keep having strength and will. I need more Grandmas in my life, the ones that are God sent. I'll keep praying.

...
~Al