Attitude is everything.

I was taking a walk just last week. Not in a hurry, just walking to the shops. Just alongside the pathway were two men walking. I heard them before I took notice of them.

One man was pushing a wheelbarrow. And he was talking with his colleague who was walking behind him with a spade. It was evident that these two were casual labourers off to some work someplace. Not the best of work but these two were simply exceptional. It made me realise how much we tell of ourselves to the world even without uttering a word.

They were in high spirits. That I could tell from the excitement in their voices. Then the way they were moving along too. It was two guys, full of purpose off for the day's work. Never mind the kind of work. But what they were saying is what caught my attention and made me ponder.

One of them was speaking. I heard him say how happy he was for the opportunity he had to work. He mentioned that it was a priviledge for him to be up early and in good health. Then he said what has not left my mind since then. Tugging his wheelbarrow along I heard him say that deep in his heart he knows that God knows what it is that he desires. That he believes that someday God would come through for him. It was the way he said it with so much conviction, that made the difference given his circumstances. And his colleague was in full agreement with him.

It made me think of how much we go about this life focused more on what it is we do not have. Oh how difficult life is and cry out to God to come change our circumstances. Little do we stop to think of the motive of what we ask. Neither do we find time to just engage God in a talk on his goodness. Just sit somewhere and savor his faithfulness. Much less testify of how much he has done for us.

You see, those two gentlemen ministered to me right there on the footpath. Just walking by holding a quiet conversation, they did. Made me think how much I needed to find time every once in a while to give thanks. No requests, just to give thanks for God's blessings. That was a  timely reminder.

It is all around us. God's goodness is all around. If we would just take time to notice we'd appreciate him for the good he has done for us. It is in the friends we have. Our good health too. Even in our ability to make wealth. We need to be grateful for even the most little things. Nothing for granted. This is as should be.

It is amazing how God speaks to us in modern day. Even in the midst of a busy day he will find a way to minister to our hearts. He understands us better than we do ourselves and knows the most effective way to speak to us. Ooh to listen for his voice in this rushed life! To stop every once in a while and embrace the goodness of him who loves us with a love everlasting.

It seems God ministers to me in the least expected places. And his timing is perfect too. Reminds me of a favorite story of the greatness of God. It makes a difference who is walking this life with you. A story is told of a mouse that needed to cross a bridge. And so he climbed up the ear of his friend the elephant. As they trudged along the bridge, it shook and swayed with the weight. Getting to the other side the mouse was heard bragging how he and the elephant had shaken the bridge together.

It matters who is carrying us through the seasons of life. If he is big enough to take us through. At the end of it all as we celebrate the achievements, we should remember to save the glory for him. With a thankful heart remember to thank God for going with us in lifes' journey. Just like the two gentlemen I met last week.

Dont we just love pointing fingers!

It has happened again. Someone famous is in the limelight. For all the wrong reasons. He is getting a lot of bashing for it. So many people are out to express their disgust at him. I would too, if I didnt know better. Not to say that I agree one bit with what he has done. But I am not worthy to condemn. Really. Let me explain.

In the journey of life, we have been to places that we should not have gone to. Done things we should not have done. And it might not have seemed such a big deal to us when we did that. Perhaps we did not mean to go as far as we did. But it happened.

We are all quick to point fingers at others. I believe it is the human way to try and justify that we are not as bad. It is our way of shifting attention from ourselves. Surely our faults cant be as bad. And so we go ahead and condemn others. That one is a drunkard. Or a liar. Or of loose morals. Forgeting that placing a label on another has a lasting negative effect on them. And that most of us are no better. It is just that we got a second chance to better our lives.

I believe that noone desires to be of bad or evil repute. We all desire to be good. And that is why so many try to camouflage their bad side. But when it does come out like all evil does, then the reaction that comes with it will either make or break us. Acceptance and seeking a way forward often helps. So does trying to get to the root of the issue. Or better still involving a higher power. God.

Someone once told me the Henry Ford story. Once there was this man whose truck broke down. In the worst of places. And so he was standing out in that lonely place when this old man drives up to him and inquires of the problem. He was reluctant to let him in on the issue wondering what this old man could do afterall. But he tells him anyway. Not realising that he was speaking to the maker of the truck. How I wish we would all take life's problems to the author  of life. He will fix it all for us.

Most issues in our lives do not have a justifiable reason. They just happen. We make wrong choices not because of wrong upbringing or lack of else. Or we go ahead and flirt with something seemingly so harmless that lands us in the worst corner we can find ourselves in. All the ways of life.

I find that the way we live our lives is based on who it is that is with us in the journey. Because we tend to conform to the authority in our lives. There are those that are bent on the ways of the world. Anything goes, as long as noone gets hurt. Or finds out. Then there are those of us that conform to Christ. And accept his leading. Yes we do commit sin. And go off the way sometimes. But we are quick to seek to repair our relationship with God and continue in his leading.

And so I do not jump to judge. Because that person who made that grievious mistake is deserving of Mercy just like all of us. Rather than throw sticks and stones at him, I try to hear him out. Though not literally. What it is that could have led him to do what he did. And then I condemn that act of course. But I will not dwell on it. Rub it in. None of this helps.

Many people have had a turnaround of their lives from bad to good. I believe noone would bother trying to patch up their lives when all around him are crying foul. Those of us that did a turnaround did so because someone believed in us enough to see some good even when all others were baying out. That person who bandaged our wounds and set us on our feet again.

If we took time to help a brother up after a fall it would bring much change to the situation. Even the most hardened of hearts is moved by love. And so we might try showing more love to those who do not deserve of it. That way bring them to a point of remorse that might be their turning point. Might not work always but it is worth a try. Afterall when you think of it, which one of us does not have a dark closet. Which one of us is not deserving of mercy? Let the one who has not sinned cast the first stone. I rest my case.

It happened when I saw you smile,

Your eyes looked into mine,

I've loved you dearly since that day,

Please be my valentine.

These were the words of my very first valentine card. From my hubby. That was so many years ago. Those words touched the very core of my heart. I took them to memory and until this day they remain in my heart. My very own treasure to cherish.

Lovers' day is just around the corner and I will most probably get another huge card with some loving words. But it is the words of that first card that linger. Said to a young heart they held so much meaning much as they do now.

I will forever be grateful for finding true love. For finding that one person who believed in me enough to fight for my love. To pursue my heart so artfully. I will forever celebrate the vows made before God and man. To Love, to cherish and to hold.

Everyone needs love. We all seek to find that one person who will love us endlessly without fail. One that we are willing to committ our lives to. Given, this search for love is as diverse as they come. Some have found love on the internet while others have met their beloved on the job. Different methods, same result.

More often than not those in love make time to be together. To get to know each other better. It has been said that a person struck by love is never the same again. And that one cannot hide the fact. Love has a way of showing through. In the least expected places. It is in the way Lovers touch. And the way they look at each other. Also in the way they are able to communicate their feelings, no words needed. Love is indeed divine.

Something so beautiful must be of God. As such it is meant to last forever. But many are the times when that sudden flutter of the heart is taken to mean that love has found us. Or when a physical attraction makes us think that we are meant to be. Love takes time. If it is the real thing it will stay. And so there is no need to fight for love.

Times have changed and what we see is the search for love in so many new ways. Gone are the days when boy met girl and took time and effort to get to know her better. Even dug up some info about her. What we are seeing nowadays is boy friends girl on facebook, they chat every minute of the day that is available offering details of their lives. Some false. Then with time they arrange a meeting and decide to formalise their love. Just like that.

I feel for all the people who miss out on the fun of dating. When a girl had to steal out to go meet a boy. And when they did meet it was not obvious that the boy would get more than a handshake. Those were the days. When a man sweated it out trying to win his girl. And when he did, it was well worth it.

While I have no qualms about the new way of things, I only wish that those seeking love would take more time to know each other. That the girls would not be so available at the slightest signal. After all, come easy goes easy. It is well worth the wait the time spent learning more of each other. The heart is too delicate to mess around with. Once broken, some do not recover. The effort is daunting.

And so I take this time to wish you all a very happy valentine's day. For all those who have found true love, hold dear. And to all those out there looking to find that special person I wish you well. Above all I wish you would involve the author of love in your search. He knows your needs and will let you find love if you involve him.

Happy valentines you all!



I was listening to a message about the great Titanic. Interesting to learn that this great and mighty ship was named after the titans. Anyone who has watched the movie identifies with the agony those on board went through when that mighty ship took the final plunge into the ocean. It was a horrific moment in history to watch all those people struggle not to go into the ocean. Must have been worse in real life to hear all the screams of people trying to keep alive in the harsh icy waters of the ocean.

This message I listened to gave me an altogether new view of what really happened then. Says that there had been a warning to the captain of the maiden ship of an iceberg  ahead. Perhaps the message was not received on time or was ignored, we do not know. But the result of that one unrelayed message cost the lives of over 1500 people. People who had the opportunity to take the maiden trip on the largest ship afloat much to their peril.

It brings to mind the effect of unheaded warnings in our lives. Many are the times we get the red signals not just about the direction we are taking in our lives but also those of the society we live in. I have previously brought to attention the danger of the lifestyle of the youth in our society. Not much is being done to bring back our youth to sanity. It looks like society is resigned to letting our young people go to the dogs.

Sad thing when a society like ours does not care about a group that constitutes over half it's population and is viewed as the future of the society. The blame lies in not just in the youth but in the older folk who have left their young ones to themselves with no clear guidelines on how to go about life. And as a result of the void in the young people's lives they take anything that comes their way no reservations.

What we have told our youth is all just wrong. That it is well to just go with it and have some fun. Not knowing who it is that is in this with them. Some of the worst influence is found in the unending search for fun they engage in. And it doesnt matter that a few parents do all they can to make sure their kids turn out right because these kids still encounter others who have no holds barred. No telling what they get to learn from them.

And so it should concern us all seeing as to how our young people are falling prey to materialism and unlimited fun at whatever cost. It bothers me that these are the same people that we look to holding top jobs in the future and key responsible positions in society. Now if these people have no sense of responsibility and morals then just what kind of legacy are we looking at here. Goes without telling that these are people who will instil the same kind of values to upcoming generations and before we know it we will be a people whose morals stink to high heaven.

Top on your and my mind should be that no matter how well brought up kids we bring up if those around us are not making effort in the same direction then we are none the safer. And so what we need are efforts to provide ways for the highly charged youth in our society to channel their energy into instead of doing all the wrong things. Years back it was necessary for any young person going to campus to go through the National Youth Service. If you ask me this programme should not have been scrapped but enhanced for all the young people in the country. It was an excellent way to expose these young people to the harsh realities of life so that they came out of it with the necessary check on their actions and the knowledge of  real life out of the cradle.

I have heard it said that if you want to break a man you take him through a tumultous time and he will come out renewed. Community service especially among the less fortunate does wonders to anyone who has their priorities in life all wrong and may not be in appreciation of just how worse life could get if they are not responsible enough. It is in the service of others that we get to know our real self.

For those who may have taken the wrong turn in their lives all may not be lost yet. We need to have rehabilitation centres so that these people can regain control of their lives and live independently. I read with interest a story in the local dailies of a prisoner who went in for theft but has learnt useful skills while in there. He is even grateful of the opportunity he has had to enhance his skills and the discipline to be able to work for himself. It may not be a very attractive venture trying to teach responsibility to the youth but years later they will thank us for it.

Above all, it is our responsibility to ensure that we leave behind a generation that can sustain itself. This is our God-given responsibility and as leaders, parents and a society we need to embrace it with the seriousness it entails. Only then will we boast of having done a good job at passing on good morals to the young ones thus fulfilling our moral obligation to our young ones and the society at large.

Don't quit!

Life was not meant to be easy. It is folly to expect otherwise. But that does not mean that when things do not go our way then we should quit. No, never. The making of a great person is in the way they handle challenges in their lives. Because challenges are in actual fact, growing blocks. Let me explain.

Several years back, my family was up to the neck facing challenges. The kind of challenges that would actually bring despair to anyone. We were living by faith. Coming from a very stable income to none is a daunting challenge. Especially when it affects both spouses at the same time. And so there we were, trying so hard to pick ourselves up and also to maintain the standards the kids were accustomed to. A futile attempt.

Up til this day, all I remember was the pain. Nothing worse for a parent like having the children sacrifice the kind of life they are used to. It was a struggle every day just to get the very basics. At that time though, my family got real close up since we spent much more time together. We also had enough time to fellowship with each other and members of our church. God amazingly came through for us in our wilderness. It was a real tough time though, the answer might have been to quit. But we did not even think about it.

Suffice to say, we all came out of it with some lessons on life. At times you go through stuff that no one else can identify with. Not their fault, it is just your time. And the only one who understands you is God. He alone understands what it is that you are experiencing. God used amazing ways to provide for us. And from that day we at my family learnt to trust fully in God. Even at times when it makes little sense. We learnt that God can move mountains. We understood the real meaning of Jehovah Jireh!

And so it amazes me the number of people who are opting out of live just when the going gets tough. I wonder why such loose hope so fast. If only their faith in God was strong they would look up to him when all else is crashing around them. Because they is nothing  impossible with God. He does make a way where there is no way. Believe me, he has done it for me. And all we need is to cast all our burdens to him. Though when you think about it that is not an easy task. Trusting someone else with your life. But it is makes all the difference when that one is God.

This January alone there have been several cases of people who have taken their own lives. Reason being that they failed at one thing or another. My heart goes out to that person who comes to the end of himself and has noone to turn to. Who does not have caring brethren around him to point him to the will of God in his life. But then the message of God's saving grace is all around. It's in the music and the christian channels.

Everyone has their own share of experiences in life. Some good, others not so good while others are traumatising. And so it matters who is walking this life with you. It should be one who can shoulder the events of your life effortlessly. Who will not leave when everyone else does. Who understands just what it is that you are feeling. As for me I have decided to follow Christ. Because he has taken me through stuff noone else would. My Rock, my salvation. I stand to testify of the power of God in my life. And invite you to do the same.
May you find God while the year is young. May you continue walking with him this life's journey. May he be your strength. Do not quit, God is able!