The Master Planner.

2017 has hit the ground running. I wish us all the very best and all the good things we wish ourselves. Let's take each single day, week or month as it comes. If  the previous weeks have been good, let it prevail if not, better days are ahead. 

I ran into a friend who told me about her recent encounter with God. She began by saying that she had applied for a programme in the university over a year ago and was looking forward to it last August. Then she got pregnant and was very determined to carry on as planned. 

According to her, she simply taught babies only sleep and eat in their initial months of life. A colleague at work had tried to discourage her and advised  her to defer the course because of the pregnancy and how difficult it would be when baby arrives but she felt like no way. To her, the year was already sorted and she could see herself doing them all. 

Two weeks to the commencement of the course, she got an email from the Uni to say they are not able to carry on with her chosen programme and offered her another programme which she rejected outrightly. She could not believe her situation. She felt so shattered and disappointed. She was so desperate and wouldn't let go. She went to God in prayers.  

Luckily, she was able to find another Uni that was running the programme for september but this time it was online. She felt consoled at last. Courses began, pregnancy going well and then baby arrived. She couldn't believe herself; babies don't just sleep and eat like she had imagined; they cry a lot, you barely sleep and becomes physically, emotionally drained. 

She struggled so hard with her online courses and still on it. She told me she would wound have simply defer the course if she were to be going to the campus for the lectures. Now, she clearly understood what her colleague at work was talking about. 

"I can't believe I thought I was going to be able to leave baby and go for lectures. Like how?" She asked me. All I think about now is baby and baby. My baby comes first...

God knows it all my Dear, was my response. He is the master planner. I believe Him any time. 

Finally, I know as humans there are times we tend to question God but in all things trust Him. Let His will be done. 

Lessons learned: 

Do challenge yourself. You can do it. Believe God. 

She is studying like she wanted and baby arrived but God made it all prefect for her.

Do You Think People Around You Know Truly Who You Are?

I enjoyed this lovely sermon from my priest; one of his interesting lenten season preachings. I would like to call this, my favorite.

He talked about the marvelous works of Jesus and how he did masked himself most of times as his power would be too much for anyone he comes in contact with to contend.

Photo Credit: www.taskforce-gaea.com

Applying the same masking formulae to humans, the reverse is the case. He told us that some individuals are living in pretense just to fit into the society.

He went further and said that such false way of living can momentarily be beneficial to us but most of the time it has an adverse effect on us.

He went on to tell us all to imagine what our lives would be like, if we truly show inner selves to people around us.
Take for instance:
     -A situation where we do not have to cover up to look accepted amongst our peers or colleagues.
     -A situation where we say something in honesty and people take our word for it.
     -A situation where we express ourselves freely without being afraid of being called names.
The list goes on...

It actually occurred to me that we live in a world where we most times find ourselves doing what is expected of us by the society irrespective of what we actually want or how we feel about them..

Do you think people around you know truly who you are?

P.S. It's my first post for the year.
Have a beautiful 2016. 

My Easter Story

The holy week is one of those days in the church I look forward to. This is due to the variety of hymns being sang and all the Latin aspects that comes with the occasion.

Let me give you a brief account of my holy week. So, I was opportune to attend the holy wednesday mass which kicked of with the stations of the cross. Mmm... I really enjoyed that bit because that was actually the only time time I was able to partake in it with my brethren this Lenten period. Personally, I love it when am able to go to the church for the stations of the cross with the congregation than when am alone at home.

Then came the Maundy thursday. For me, this event started with singing rehearsals,the mass and the procession. It was lovely as the hymns were so transforming and sublime. They included Love is His word, Pange lingua gloriosi, Panis angelicus(one of my favourite songs) to mention but a few.

Oh! Did I mention that we had the Bishop in our midst too? He visited us and was the main celebrant. His sermon was brilliant as he talked us through the reenactment of Jesus last days prior to his arrest. He encouraged us to watch and pray with Christ. The washing of the feet was carried out as well. More so, those points in the mass where a priest says a part and the other says another part stood out for me. I had a swell time. It felt like experiencing catholicism in its full splendour.

The holy thursday ended with the carrying of the blessed sacrament in procession to the garden of repose. The parish priest encouraged us to stay for a little while and say some private prayers.

I have an intriguing story for you now; while I stayed behind and prayed,I watched a lady who had gone close to the blessed sacrament and prostrated. That got me as I have not seen that act of adoration being displayed in a very long time. It happened to be that I had seen this very lady on holy wednesday tidying the church premises. So, on my way home, I saw her on the other side of the road and I waved her and said hello(I kind of wondered why I was saying hello in the first place). 

She crossed over to me and asked for my name,that she had seen me the other day...We became friends. She told me her version of the celebration, how she cried when the blessed sacrament was to be taken to the gardens of the repose and asked God to forgive her sins.She told me that most times instead of thanking God she complains about what haves and haves not.  She added that in the garden of repose, it felt like she saw Jesus."I felt someone holding me" she said to me. I suppose she really had a divine encounter. From our little  chat, my new friend does lots of charity work and believes in miracles. Bless her.

Do you know what? I was actually pleased with myself that I said that 'hello' at that time.

Have a beautiful Easter celebration. Many thanks for reading.

Have A Word With The Man At The Counter.

An elderly man in his mid-eighties arrived happily to his younger friends house. His friend who has been expecting him was quite surprised when he saw how excited he looked on his arrival. He hugged him and went off to make him a cup of tea because the weather was chilly.

'I have been worried about you and how fast you were going to make it?' He told him, fully cognizant of the fact that his friend can be somewhat forgetful, at times. Besides, he had a meeting to attend in the next few hours so, it was nice he made it on time too.

The elderly man smiled. 'You are not going to believe what happened. 'I entered the train without a travel ticket and was lucky there were no checks, I passed unnoticed.'

'Oh! You did?' His friend almost screamed covering his mouth...they both laughed. Now, he knows why his friend is kind of overexcited since he outsmarted some folks out there. They haven't seen each other in a very long time and only talk on the phone though they chatted like the phone talks never existed. Later on, it was time for him to leave for the meeting in order to make it on time. However, he wanted to make sure his friend at least, pays for his ticket this time.

On getting to the station, the queue was so long and the ticket fees were saying different things ranging form £20- £500. Obviously, he didn't have that much time to wait for him but to leave as soon as he can.

How much are you going to pay, he asked him. 'Don't worry, am not looking at any of that- referring to the the fares. I will speak with the Man at the counter, when it gets to my turn, ' the old man replied. His friend patted him on the back and left though he was worried about him.

Later in the night, he got a phone call from his friend telling him how wonderful his trip turned out to be. He said that after having a word with the man at the counter, he was able to arrange a £20 ticket for him; which was a first class and he was served a bottle of champagne. In addition, when he got to his destination, one of the staff followed him and called a taxi for him as well. What more can he ask for! He was all smiles as he narrated it all it his friend.

They both laughed and he was pleased to know his friend was happy and safe at last.

I guess it is always good to speak with the Man at the counter irrespective of the expected outcome or what the World tells us. 

Anyone can be favoured, with God there is no favourite.

He Is Always With You.

Faith in God.

There is always a reason for everything that happens. Many times we worry ourselves and wonder why things are not as smooth as we want them to be.

Maybe, we simply like troubling ourselves because certain things we encounter are beyond our human understanding.

Most times, we feel we are abandoned by the Creator forgetting that He is ever faithful to His people. He never abandons his own.

We are all important to Him be it in our joys, sorrows and in bitterness. At any given time, He is fighting our battles for us, if only we can put all our hope and trust in Him. He will not let us down.

Even in our most difficult moments, he is making way for us. He needs us to know that we are safe in His hands remembering that He alone is the one who neither sleeps nor slumbers. He who was nailed to the cross knows our pain because he actually lived and knows what pain feels like better than us.

His words shall come to pass. 

True Love

Seeing is believing. 

She was very pleased with him and want to be his for the rest of her life. He loves her as well and didn't in any way hide his feelings for her. Well, who wouldn't? After nearly 10years of friendship and relationship.

A lot have been done to ensure that they spend the rest of their lives together. They have been very close and well known to each others relatives. With luck on their sides, both families consented to their union and can't wait for them to cement their relationship. 

As usual, they went for blood test as required by their Rev. It happened to be that the lady's HIV result was positive but it was not revealed to her out rightly.The counsellor called the Rev. who is also a good friend of the man and revealed to him the outcome of the tests. 

They all got worried and questioned what could be the fate of these two long time lovers. To add sugar to the injury, the lady was 2months pregnant for him. 

The young man was summoned to the hospital with a panel waiting for him. The counselling protocol was observed before and after the news was broken to him. To their disbelief, he said they do not know what they were saying and that come what may he is going to marry his bride to be as scheduled. 

The lady was sent to different places to redo the rest and confirmatory test as well before she was actually made to understand that she is a carrier while the husband isn't. She couldn't believe her situation and cried like her world has fallen apart. 

'Have you told my husband to be?' She asked. The counselor nodded. She screamed. Raising her hands to her head. 'How can it be? Darkness have caught up with me in the broad daytime!'

'What did he say? My heartthrob has abandoned me!' 

'He said he is still by your side and that he is going to go ahead with the marriage.'

In confusion, the lady said, '...and you think he means all of that... My God where are you?... I have not slept with any other man ... I have been doing like I ought to... Where exactly have I gone wrong? Tell me... '

Elsewhere, people have been talking to the young man to enable him understand his situation and the implications of what he is about to do. After so much talks from Tom, Dick and Harry, he made them understand that if marrying her woman in the next few days means having HIV, he is willing to get that and that they are going to die happily. 

Most people were actually shocked to hear him say that. He went further to say that he has known her for a long time, have seen various versions of women and none could be equated to her girl. She is simply the only one meant for her and nothing will change that.  

The lady continue to ask herself if she was in dream and how long she going to last in it. He took her to the Rev. and to his relatives as well. To her greatest surprise, he has actually brought her so that can help him reassure her that he knows what he is saying and doing and means every bit of it. He could not come up with any other way of convincing her since she hardly chats other than crying the hell out of her life all the time. 

To the dismay of some relatives and friends, he married the woman of his dreams. Happily wedded in church. 

My thoughts

Some guys for-some-reasons-best-known-to-them would have simply danced to the tune of the songs people sang to their ears lately and abandon their HIV- infected and pregnant Girlfriend not knowing that there could be a possibility that they are equally infected but he could be in his window period.

Not that it is a very wonderful thing getting married to One who has the infection but based on the aforementioned circumstances it is not a bad idea. 

In my opinion, that guy is a hero because many people out there simply take pride in finding faults where there is none let alone when such a huge issue arises. 

Whatever you do, make sure it is for a good Cause, do it for love and for God. 

What will be will be. 

Follow @AyinotuV

Life Struggles

Remain Positive.

As humans, most times we only desire to get things right.
We try out all we can
Hoping that we must get it right.

At times, it turns us to be so.
We become fulfilled
And see things as being oversimplified.  

But, it is not usually the case.
There are times our handwork do not pay.
What matters is that we do not relent.

It could be that so much is expected from us,
It could result from any eventuality,
It could be down to fate.

It is of our best interest to always be willing to try
And do not give up
Because, once there is life there is hope.

It is well.

Follow @AyinotuV

More Effort All The Time.

 

In certain cases, it is down to luck that we excel. However, generally speaking, it is the amount of effort that we put in that actually determines how far we go.

For some people, it could take little time while for some it requires lots of hard work and more time but at the end we all get there. 

That brings me to the main topic. How do we ensure that the passion we have for a particular idea or an issue at the beginning keeps burning? It is very important that we always bear this in mind because we still need this very passion to remain successful at all time.

But this is not always  the case. Most times, we simply forget what it took us to attain a certain height in life and thereby easily let ourselves get carried away. Consequently, we fumble  and may be worst than how we were  before we ever got started. 

This is not only applicable to our studies or at workplace but can be seen in all areas of life. For instance, in relationships / marriages, always remind yourself of what it took you and meant to you to get to where you are and ensure you have that in mind to make you stronger and more productive, otherwise, you might simply feel so relaxed and unknowingly to you, you  might have deviated so much from the person you used to be.

In workplace/ school, it is equally essential because nobody knows it all and there are numerous innovations on daily basis, so do not relent. If you found yourself on top, always challenge yourself. 

It is applicable in our spiritual life and make us do things we could not have imagine. 

No condition needs to be stagnant as humans we easily feel bored and are quite insatiable.  Always challenge yourself by trying to be and remain on top. 

Always remember that the Rich (be it politicians, athletes, entertainers, movie stars e.t.c.) still struggle to remain on top otherwise it would have been when you make it once in life you back out but it is not the case. The struggle continues.

I once came across a write-up that says  'Always do the best you can while alive because you would have a longer time to sleep when you are dead'. That does not mean we do not have to enjoy our lives but it is a sort of reminder.  Besides, our motivations play an important role in how we handle situations.

Most people believe that attaining a greater height in life is very difficult and challenging while others think that the hardest part is to remain successful.

All the best in all you do. 

The Quest for a better way of life.

Most times, we spend a lot of time doing things that we think that are really important to us. Some times, we feel the we would be better off if we had 25 or 26 hours a day. There are too many things that need to be attended to and we try as much as we can to make ends meet.
Yet, we fail to spend quality time with God in prayer.

We think other things are of utmost importance and end up leaving out the most important of all.  There are either work or school  activities and personal needs issues that seems to consume all our time and we have reminders to ensure we are punctual because the penalty would not be fair on us but when it has to do with praying or going to church we tend to drag our feet.

Nowadays, we spend so much time on our bodies, decorating our faces, styling our hairs, checking out which section of hairs needs to be waxed or combed, think of what to wear, try them out, worry about how others are going to view us and the rest of them. I am actually referring to everyone, I think guys are worst these days. Yes! Times have changed, it is no longer applicable to women alone.

Nevertheless , the quest for a better life, to climb up the academic ladder, to gain promotion at work, become a successful  trades-person or performer and becoming richer should be likened to, if not same for our spiritual life.

We should endeavour to set some time for our own welfare by praying. Quality time in prayer is very essential as we might need not only to ask but to listen quietly. Most times we ask and ask and never listen.

Group and routine or recitative prayers are equally beneficial and shows that we have interest and are somewhat committed. However, we need to make an extra effort to communicate with God alone.

We need to unwind ourselves and absorb Him, in our own time, talking to him in our own language and pace as though we need to make Him know our unique voice and style. 

Prayer Times.

Indeed, it is a humble attitude that we seek the face of God in times of difficulty as it implies we know He is our Sovereign Master; Who knows the unknown and sees beyond human comprehension.

These moments draw us close to Him. We try to mend our ways while relying on His mercy to see us through. I can recall in my school days that at various institutions we only indulge in Novena, fasting and praying mainly during exam periods. We tend to act so religiously and would even be willing to make trouble with anyone who seems to be acting in a manner we think would disrupt our prayers.

We do set all sorts of standards for ourselves during these periods. At one occasion, we extended our rituals to the due date of our result. It almost caused trouble based on the fact that by then we must have graduated and might be carried away by the euphoria that comes with graduating from school and all it's stress. It sounds funny now but that was how desperate we were at that time.

Meanwhile, what amazes me is the fact that we never declared a thanksgiving Novena or fast. We only buy petty gifts for thanksgiving and it ends there. I know this is applicable to all of us( including you reading) in our various lives and could be seen also in the way we relate with one another, in the sense that we pester others when in need and can forget them for a very long time or till God-knows-when when all seems so well with us, as long as we do not encounter a problem that would mean going back to them.

That makes me wonder if most of us would have turned to prayer if not for hard times. Perhaps, tests, hardships and disappointments makes us more committed by putting us in the  actively praying mood which would not have been that strong  if we flourish effortlessly all times.

They continually remind us of our dependency on God and fill the gaps we might have created during the very good times. However, we still need to pray at all times.

Your analysis could be irrelevant.

There are times we seem to worry a lot whereas all we need to do is simply forge ahead.

Although, certain level of anxiety is normal in the sense that they guide us rightly, we may have noticed we are better off without it. Besides, we function effectively when less tensed.

Well, I have observed that there are moments that what we have actually calculated to be an outcome as humans totally take a different turn.

Perhaps, all we need to do is simply do our bit and leave the rest. The words are " play your own part" and the remainder falls in place. Moreover, always live a happy life.

Woman I Met on a Bus

It was a journey of about six hours but due to the traffic, stops and bad roads, it lasted longer than required.  I was travelling to Lagos from the east, Onitsha to be precise. Without wasting much time the luxurious bus was filled up and the journey began.

A friend warned me earlier about the ill-occurrences  that take place on the roads especially around this time and encouraged me to fly rather than using the roads. He listed many cases of theft, rape and killings happening on the highway lately. Funny enough, a relative said a similar thing to me. I thought about the time and inconvenience attached to getting myself to the nearest airport which is in Owerri and far from my hometown. Meanwhile I have already made arrangement with a local Driver that goes to Onitsha to travel with him on that day.

So, bearing all these on my mind I decided to pray as long as I can throughout the journey. I said the rosary and kept repeating it till I lost count of how many decades I have actually said. However, I recall a woman sitting beside me kept staring at me and later joined me. Surprisingly to her,  she has completed five decades and am still reciting mine. She glanced at me once more and gently folded her rosary and put it inside her bag. 

When we got to Benin, there was a brief stop; time for Lunch, stretching and restroom. Few minutes later, we got back to the bus. I was holding my rosary once more but this time I was interrupted. She asked 'are you still praying?'  and I answered 'yes'. She didn't go further and I then asked her if anything was the problem that I can actually talk. 

Huh! That was how I said bye bye to my marathon prayer session, not knowing I have said enough to see me through the journey. Hahaha!

She asked me where am from?

       My family,what I studied, my job...

       My relationship status...

       My plans for the future...

And I answered very well. Yes! Honest answers.

It was during this question time that I really noticed the personality sitting beside me. This woman was so lovely. Her looks, height, stature and the way she talks can be likened to that of one of my favorite aunt( Aunt Dora),and I mentioned that to her too.

I noticed that in between talks  her husband calls came in and they kept  making jokes about how he is missing her and how he is going to leave before time to make sure he doesn't keep her waiting after the long journey. If my guess is right, she should be in her mid-fifties or there-about, am not that wonderful in guessing ages right by mere looks. She has been away for a week to carter for her mother-in-law.

It was  now her turn to do most of the talking. She told me to never underrate prayer and went on telling me  how God has been faithful to her.  I added that she should be very lucky to have such a caring man as a husband and from her persistent phone calls, their love is evergreen. She smiled and said that she deserves it, that marriage is not as easy as it looks.



She said that back in her teens as a student, she mistakenly fell pregnant for a man that spoils her with gifts and promised her marriage. Initially, she was worried that her parents would not be happy and she would like to complete her secondary school education first. It was actually her first time of having sex and she got trapped. It made her see her whole dream crumbling before her. When she broke the news to the man he wasn't even surprise and told her where she would go for abortion and made the necessary arrangements. She was shocked but did not allow him know how she felt.

She started praying to God, making all sorts of promises if she happens to come out alive after going under the knife and still be fertile. That day came and pass. At the clinic she got to know that her lover was a regular,  always bringing in different girls. She never contacted him again and that was how their story ended. She told no one about it, not even her mother or close friends. And has not mentioned it to her loving husband, who sees her as the best.

On completion of her studies, she went on holiday and met a man that couldn't take his eyes off her. He has already met her Uncle and made his intentions clear, so it was not hideous this time, though she was yet to tell her parents. Her parents consented when they heard about it, traditional marriage rites were carried out and she took in for this man. Her parents were not happy as they wanted it to be after the impending white wedding as they were staunch Catholics but she was overjoyed knowing that her womb was not damaged after-all.   The religious perspective meant nothing to her, knowing her ordeal. She then left her family house and joined her husband.

Later, they had a white wedding following her delivery. Her husband trained her in the University and she currently owns a Secondary School in Lagos. They are blessed with Three boys.

In regards to her Loving Husband, she said they have been very supportive of each other. According to her, couple of years back her marriage was not that lovely as it is now. There was a time her husband kept late nights and talked to her like she meant nothing to him. She was confused but never allowed that affect her work because she needed to be there for her kids no matter what. She sought advice and got different versions but only an Elderly woman encouraged her to be herself and should still care for her husband and not even raise her voice towards him. It was so difficult for her and most times she ended up challenging her husband because she is human and as it was in tune with advice from other numerous sources.

Her situation got worse and close friends were becoming aware of her condition. She got tired of complaining to any one. She ran into the same old woman who wanted to know how she was faring and she told her how her marriage has deteriorated and how she was not able to do exactly as she told her. The woman told her that she never said it was going to be very easy but that is all she needs to do to redeem her marriage. She made her understand that with such attitude and prayer her husband will come back to his senses soon  while hostility will drive him further away and make him jump to conclusions.

Amidst these trial period, she love and missed her husband and she pulled herself together and this time took this woman's advice wholeheartedly. She welcomes him be it 12midnight or 2pm, helps him remove his clothes, if he is willing to eat fine, if he isn't, she will gently send her food back to the kitchen. She continued this way and was almost getting used to the routine, when her husbands character gradually started changing as though it was magic. He began chatting her up and coming home on time, till one day he was able to narrate to her how a woman almost destroyed their marriage.

She explained to me how her husband would prefer to borrow money from outsiders for business so as to make her see him as man of the house but those days are gone with the wind as no one knows how they handle their affairs any more. She made her husband understand that he trained her and her money is simply his. With God on her side, school business in Lagos is very lucrative and being the hardworking type she has been able to get sponsorship from Cowbell and the likes.

They started assisting each other financially, spiritually and all the -lly's you can think of.  Her husband's business booms and they both live comfortably and very happy. Above all, they turn out to be best friends and inseparable.

She did not forget to tell me that some of their friends and even few relatives are not happy with their progress. Besides, there is no word in her dictionary like 'close or best friend.' Her husband is now her all-in-one.  She also mentioned how vital sex is in marriage, owing to the fact that men love sex. And how she continually prays for Gods grace upon her family.

Remember, we are still in the bus. She alighted at Berger and I tiredly started looking around through the window  to the lovely views of Lagos. The journey was a very long one but I enjoyed it.

Lastly, I thank God for a smooth and safe journey.

Follow @AyinotuV

Being Patient.

Amidst the struggles in life
Always be patient and keep faith.

At times, it can be very difficult trying to be patient.
There are moments we seem to be eaten-up by the silence of patience.
But what happens when you try to push and worsen the situation?

It is not always easy being on a queue.
Especially, when you do not know:
How long it will last,
The length of the queue,
And when there is no known time-frame for each participant,
Or perhaps if there could be any disruption.

Most times, we might wish we are on the fast lane,
Not knowing what the future has in stock for us.
We might wish we have the power to take others off our way
Not realising the fact that their time might not be appropriate for us.



Some people bear Patience- Ndidiamaka in my mother tongue
Is that an indication that they are truly endowed with this divine virtue?
Does the word reflect on their life experiences?
I wish I can answer that or you can tell better...

All you have to do is to exercise patience
Because God is in control and only His will comes to pass.

Breathe in faith, breathe out doubts.
Patience is a virtue.

It feels so right

I am glad I did this today.
Have been thinking of how to start,
But simply needed to get started.

It really feels so right.
Am already getting there,
Can see am really close.

*My very first blog*