Three bears

Being in school at a stretch makes one lose touch with something’s. For me one of the things I almost totally lost touch with was how to ride a bicycle. So once I got home and realized practically everyone was on a bike, the determination to get back on it came to life.

I’ll probably have to explain the whole process to make my point, but it’s definitely worth it. So kindly read it all. Well there are three bicycles in the house with various levels and degrees of riding. The first can be related to baby bear in “Goldie locks and the three bears”, second is the mama bear bike and the third is the father bear. 

The first bike (baby bear) isn’t a tiny bike that can’t be ridden by an adult, considering the fact that I am small and cute I can say that one pretty much suited my package.

Anyway starting to ride again meant I had to start with the baby bear and as the bible says “do not despise the days of small beginnings.” Don’t really remember if I fell off the bike at any point, but the process was more like an adult going back to preschool to learn alphabets. I sincerely had to start from scratch, putting one leg on the floor a million times to balance and almost forgetting the use of the breaks, having to concentrate and learn to ride only in the compound to avoid any accidents whatsoever.

Few weeks in and I was  sincerely excited about the whole process and thou i had a few bruises I wasn’t ready to stop. By now I had already gained full ground on how to maneuver  baby bear around and thus went on my first trip on the road. Talk about the sense of freedom I felt being on the bike and out of the house. It was simply thrilling and I couldn’t wait to get more of it.

Well since I had gotten good grounds with baby bear, the next point of action was mama bear. On a normal day since mama bear was a tall mountain bike, she won’t have been on my to-do list, but since I was going through a learning process this was simply something I could not avoid. 

On I went on her the first day, and to the ground I came crashing, she was so tall I found difficulty getting to sit right. Well after a while I did get to sit, but paddling was another catastrophe, I began wondering if I had learnt anything at all by riding baby bear, it just seemed like mama bear was bringing everything I did on baby bear down and making it seem useless. I gave up on mama bear a number of times and returned to baby bear to regain my confidence. But each time, I realized that if I wanted to be good at what I was doing I had to do it right. 

So back on mama bear I would go and how delightful I was when I conquered her, I rode her with even more confidence than baby bear, and even became determined not to return to baby bear, as it seemed like child’s play compared to this. I rode in the glory of mama bear for many days, almost not having the desire to take the next step to father bear. 

To me for mother bear  to have been unapproachable father bear was a taboo, but now mother bear was conquered and yet still father bear seemed farfetched for me. I rode continuously in the glory of mama bear, learning to forget the pains associated in continuously paddling the mountain bike. With this bike I tried various things, and I rode freely, I kept my mind focused on it and did not desire to either go back, or even tickle talk less of tackle father bear.

But judgment day was coming, and on one of my riding days my father simply ordered me to ride father bear. At first I simply stare at him in open oblivion, and wondered what joke he is pulling on me, but his face doesn’t cry out “I am joking” and this meant I simply had to ride. Taking a first serious ride on this bike did not mean I was riding within the compound first, it meant I was going in for the catch straight up. 

I had my fears, but I still picked the bike and drove out of the gate after my father. I would not hesitate the say the shock I got on this bike; believe me when I say it was a smooth ride. Apparently after having a go at baby bear and mama bear, father bear was just exciting, classical, I don’t even know the words to explain how easy it was on that bike. 

Father bear represented the biggest of all, and even thou I was just a step away from getting there I recall the fear I felt. Since I have finally been able to conqueror all three bikes, picking up any and riding isn’t much of a problem, I have no limitations to whichever I desire. 

All these came up as a lesson, one which we see in our very own Christian lives, the entire growth process, with baby bear being us new in Christ moving around almost hopeless and just desiring to grow no matter what “ if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” 2 Cor 5:17.

Mama bear representing the next level we are has Christian, how much we have grown and how it seems we are at the peak of it all, how we desire to continue touching lives, and most often desire to remain at that position.   

Father bear on its own representing where we are to be, and how smooth our Christianity goes once we attain that level desired for us by God. 

As I always say I am not innocent by saying I haven’t acted like this, even the story about the bike plainly shows my fear. But has children of God we always have to understand God’s desires for us and learn to accept them, sometimes it seems far, it seems difficult, it seems unattainable but His word always remains when he said “ For I know the thoughts I have for you, thought of good and not of evil, to bring you to an expected end” Jer 29:11. 

Baby bear is always the first step we have to go though, mama bear the continuation and father bear the final lap, but many of us like to stop at mama bear not even willing to see what father bear has to offer. But in most if not all instances, for us to conquer mother bear means father bear is the going to be an easy ride. 

Do not be afraid to take on the next challenge in your Christian walk, or any aspect of your life, God’s plan is always supreme and is always for good, keep trusting Him and He would help you attain the optimal result.

Oh did i mention that I did get bruised after riding father bear, this was because I was so carefree about being able to cruise around at such ease I totally lost touch with my break. This simply signified that no matter how much it seems we are in control after getting to that point, we still always have to look up to God to keep us in control...

shalom

Somebody Help!!!

Some years ago, when I was about 8 or 9 can’t quite remember the exact age, my family and I took a trip to Lagos from Ibadan. I was pretty excited about the trip, firstly because we were going to Lagos and secondly because we were going to see a family friend I hadn’t seen in a while. My excitement reached hyper level on getting to the exact location because the house I happened to be staring at was huge and I mean huge compared to what I was used too. It rather looked like one of the ones seen only in movies to me. Well we drove in, said the pleasantries, bla bla bla and we finally all found ourselves upstairs, with the adults discussing. 

Well, little me decided to get adventurous and go exploring this big house, after all I dint know when next I was going to get such an opportunity. Off I went like little red riding hood and somehow found my way downstairs. Room by room I went, checking out the house until I found myself in this huge n cute looking bathroom. Hmmmm, this definitely looked different, so in I went and found a way to lock myself up in there. 

The idea of being locked up wasn’t a big deal, and would have been just fine if the lock was the conventional one used back in the days. But no, this also new n different n seemed cool to play with. At first, when I tried to unlock it, I felt calm with myself, that all was well and the door would unlock easily, 10 minutes going nothing seemed to be happening and then I began to panic, my heart was racing as fast as it could. 

Ohhh my God, I was defiantly in for it, everyone was upstairs and the distance of this bathroom from where they were, wasn’t a funny issue, so I did all dat was in ma capability to do n began to shout out “daddy, daddy” with a shaky voice hoping he would hear. When I realized this wasn’t getting me out, my 8 or 9 yr old bravery began to fail me and with tears in my eyes and the shakiest voice which I doubt would have been better than the first  shouted “daaaaaaddddddi, muuuummy, heeeeelp”. By now the tears were flowing freely and involuntarily. I began thinking or rather compiling as much information as my brain could program, thinking “would they leave me, and forget me in Lagos?” and a lot of other random thoughts.

Somewhere along all this, someone upstairs realized a lil child was missing and they started searching for me and heard my little squeaky voice from the bathroom and got me out. The feeling of relief I felt then was just overwhelming, more or less like “finally, out of jail”. 

I'm sure somebody is wondering, ok so what are you trying to get at? Well, the scenario is pretty much the same with real life instances.  There are certain times in our lives, where we get into certain situations or incidents whereby we try our very best to get out of it by our own will and power. But, it isn’t until we cry out to God, no matter how low or squeaky our voices are; before He comes up or sends someone to rescues n bring us out of the situation.

Call on God in every situation, cos he is always waiting to either pull you out himself, or send a helping hand…. :)

Like a pot, I am easily broken, but then He keeps molding me…..

Many times in my life, I like to feel in control…

Like the world is free, and I can glide with the wind…

It works out pretty well for me, giving me the liberty to leave the worries and pain behind…

But then we can’t always help the fact that sometimes we are broken…

I read a poem by one of my dear friends and couldn’t help but feel broken, and then have the sense of open surrender.

The piece captures it all, my feelings, emotions and what I rely solely on, be blessed as you read…

Daughter of Zion

Yeah! Yes it’s me again
Standing alone outside the rain
No one but you LORD sees my pain
As I can’t get my past outta my brain
I know I may sound like I am insane
But I feel like my whole life has been in vain

I have now made a choice
To listen to you your voice
Even through the hurt and through the noise
It’s with you I will take this poise

As it seems, today is my day
I have come out of the sinking clay
Thanks to you LORD I have found my way
But please stick to me, oh LORD I pray
Cos it’s only on you my worries and burdens I lay
So that I can step out of the box and play

Now it’s in you alone I trust
I love following you, it’s now a must
I promise to help to lift people like me out the dust
Show them the way out of their wrong passions and lusts
Thank you LORD cos it’s in you I see, all that I am supposed to be…
And now I know who I am, I am a daughter of Zion! – Victory Odunjo

N to end it all, he molds me back into place, n makes me whole again... 

Sleepy Student

Have you ever being in one of those situations where you have an appointment to go over some work with a friend or junior?

Perhaps you have …

In one of those situations,

As it ever happened that the particular student at that point is tired and sleepy but keeps begging or saying “Don’t worry I would concentrate, just go ahead”?

Perhaps they have…

Well over the last few weeks I have been taking my little siblings though their school work with as much enthusiasm as possible. I get pretty excited teaching any of them when they are all hyper, and willing to learn. 

 Well while teaching the little one yesterday she didn’t have as much vigor to learn as normal, with the claim of “I am tired”.  But irrespective of the tiredness she still wanted me to teach her. 

 I went on teaching, trying my very best to get her as engaged and involved as possible with pretty much no luck. I explained the same things over and over with “do you understand?” and many “yes’s” which proved to be no’s.

Along the line of the “lecture” I just got fed up with explaining over and over, and with time frustration started setting in, thus making me loose the vim (desire) to teach.

Well this and the anger of not being able to do what I was enjoying got me thinking, n ma thoughts went thus…

The Holy Spirit pretty much does the same thing for us ryt, being present at our every appointment with him, and trying his very best to explain and give us insight to the word of God.

But then we Christians just do what brings His spirit down…

Imagine going into is presence to communicate and learn when we are sleepy, and seriously expecting to understand and get inspired with what the Holy spirit has for us.

Imagine the frustration He gets on His face, meeting with you maybe 5 times in a week with you sleepy and practically unproductive and He patiently trying to teach you.

I aint claiming to be righteous as at this point, but getting a first-hand experience made me understand and look at things from His point of view.

But mehn He really is a generous guy….

Interceding for us in prayer after being terrible students, how many teachers will do that?

I drive at one basic thing, for us to try not to go into the presence of God, wanting to learn with an unproductive brain…

Saved by grace

When I say I am a Christian,

I am meant to be Christ-like

In actions, in deeds, and even in thoughts.

When I say I am Christian

I am meant to have all fruits of the spirit

To love, be kind, good,

Humble, forgiving, nice and many more.

But many times in my Christian walk,

I find myself falling short in many ways

Whereby the constant behavior of people push me

Or my own actions make me condemn myself

But then I remember something,

I remember His grace, which saved me initially.

His mercy, which sees me though each fall

And just God being God

And that keeps me going, and gives me the assurance.

He gives me the ability to believe that truly “I can do all things though Christ who strengthens me.”

And then the assurance that when “I call upon the name of God I will be saved”.

And that keeps me going though out, encouraging me not to give up because He would never give up on me.

That is why each time in my Christian walk I make it a point to remember that I walk not by my power, but by He that called me according to His purpose.

So when I say I am a Christian I put my trust in God to see me though it all.

When I say I am a Christian, I say I am not perfect myself, but with God I am.

Shivers

I really cannot count how many times I have started this piece without much success. Not that I don’t have the words to use, but I don’t know maybe just the constant fear and lack of confidence that I can’t do this. Anyway here it goes….

During my most recent trip after a few months, I boarded the plane in pretty much any way I would have if I was taking a trip to Nigeria. Getting into my seat, I buckled up and said a little prayer in preparation for the journey.  I lost any concern for what was going to happen on the trip, like: if I was gonna die of boredom or sleep though, when I saw I had access to entertainment right in front of me. The beginning of the journey was pretty much like any other, with instructions on what to do and not to do and bla bla bla. I zoomed into my entertainment and watched a comedy while the first leg of journey began; I went on like this for about the first hour and a half before something caught my eye.

To every other person on the plane there wasn’t anything unusual going on, but I would like to think it was just the Holy Spirit convicting me to do what was right. I really can’t say if it was cause of the constant news I had been hearing about the Boko Haram guys or the many documentaries I had watched on bombs been activated in planes. All I can say was that the constant movement of a particular man brought my heart into my throat. The guy honestly just had the look of Osama bin laden, and the way he was walking around, OMG, that was another thing entirely. I could have at that point guaranteed anyone he had a bomb on and was just waiting to activate it. My heart was beating a hundred times faster than normal and just then the little voice began to do his Job.

I really don’t really think I have ever being in a position where I thought I was going to die and then actually and practically assess where I would go just if I should die until that point. The Holy Spirit made me conscious of who I was and I started thinking, have I praised God enough? Have I been the best I can be for him? Have I given my all to him? Really, would I go to heaven? Ok, if I did would I have any treasures there?  This was my point of reckoning, where I began to check myself piece by piece, ask for forgiveness, re-surrender…. 

This didn’t end the fast beating of my heart, nor did it give me any assurance the guy was not really an Al Qaeda guy. But it gave me a deep and eternal assurance that I was secure. I don’t know how many people actually sit down in a day, assess their lives and check their purity in the presence of God. I don’t know how many people who have been at the verge of death and actually had the time to be assured at the last minute? But in those few seconds that seemed like hours, one thing I knew was and is that I never wanted to wait till the last minute to know who I was, or where I was going to be. I realized I wanted an everlasting assurance of where I was going all the time. And most importantly I never wanted to either leave God’s side or him leave me.

I know many would say of what importance is this, as it is believed that every Christian is going to heaven, but NO the reality of heaven and hell exists and the only way of ever be assured of this is by total surrender to our maker.

 Eventually, the guy ended up being a normal Ethiopian dude who had a long beard, and just liked to move around and all. I am glad the actions of this one man got me thinking again, and wanna be ever assured, and I am glad I had the Holy Spirit with me doing the job he does best….