2020 Musings

This year has brought with it lots of lessons. Reflecting on the twelve months, draws my attention to significant lessons the year, 2020 taught me as an individual.

Today, I share my top lessons of the year.

One major lesson I learned this year is that you must give people space and time to grieve and heal.

This lesson was learned the hard way though.  Usually when I learned people were going through a particular situation,  I would reach out to them and if they didn't pick the call, I would text them just to let them know my thoughts and prayers were with them. Some would take a while to respond while others would never respond until that phase was over for them. 

I must have thought they didn't want to respond but I've come to understand that people need space and time to heal. 

In 2020, there've been moments I've cherished my space than answering calls or texting back. Somethings are better worked out alone. Grieve your loss alone, endure your pain alone - so you can't just be bothered about who wants to talk to you or not. People in those times look out for their best interests first before others. Learn to leave them alone. It doesn't mean they don't value you as a person or the effort you put in to reach them. It is just appropriate to bear their pain alone in that moment and you can only be there for them by respecting their privacy.

Another significant lesson I learned was how to bear your cross without grumbling. What a shock it was to have woken up to the sudden demise of actor Chadwick Boseman. I learned from that experience to fight your battles in silence and not tell the world except those who matter- of cause, (family, who you're sure have your back). I've lived each day fighting my battles silently. The world does not need to know what fights you, you only arouse pity-that's where it ends, the world cannot resolve your problems for you. There are certain funerals we attend out of pity and not because we loved the dead while they were here . Be selective in sharing your problems with people. I know out of frustration, you might be tempted to tell everyone your story, but listen, you won't be down forever- it's better to hold on to it.

Again, live your dreams while you're still alive. Live it t the fullest.Chadwick lived and lived till his last moments. What's your excuse for not becoming a dancer or DJ? Remember, you're still in the race until you reach your finish line. Don't let that challenge or disability get in your way.

Also, learn to understand when people say no. People are fighting different and silent battles. Battles they cannot explain or disclose to you. When they sit at one spot, they have a reason for choosing to sit there. Don't ask them to move to the next spot for your sake. Accept people's decision. Our bodies are different-perhaps you can jog all the way from Oyarifa to Aburi, I may not be able to jog but rather, walk. In summary, don't push people to bend their rules for you, you don't know their situation or condition.

Who ever envisaged 2020 would be a year of having to doll up in masks and observe social distancing? Who ever thought your loved ones could be ill in the hospital, yet, you could  not visit or be there to take care of them because of COVID?  Who ever imagined billions would die from a certain virus? 

You're still here, isn't that something to be happy about? Forget the goals you set but could not achieve, try again in the new year. Those in the grave cannot get the chance to try again, you can. Strength and comfort to those who lost loved ones in 2020. Let 2020 guide your new year- may it propel you to chase and live your dreams to the fullest you can. 

Happy 2021!

Photo Source: Google Photos

SPOILT MEN!

I remember growing up, my dad would wash my panties even at JHS 2 and he would cook for us. He found delight in cooking for us especially when my Mum was not around. He did virtually everything for us. I grew up wanting a man like my dad.

 In my eyes, he was perfect. 

He taught me that a girl's real dance must be with her Dad. I remember us always having a dance competition where my siblings were the Judges.

He knew the answer to every single question we would ask him. He lied to me or so that knowledge was in every single book. He made me read from John Grisham to Jackie Collins. He bought them and did not limit me. My first table lesson was from my Dad. He taught my siblings and I to use our cutlery correctly and he ensured that you used it at the table and he would stress that you ate quickly but not in a way that will choke you.

These current crop of  men can't even cut up water melon or tomatoes. They think that being able to afford a woman's need is all there is to manhood. Some think that it's a woman's duty to clean and  cook for them. They can't even make an omelette to save a life. 

They burden their women with everything from cutting their nails to fixing their meals. Spoilt men!. Their manhood is only in their financial muscles and not opening doors for women or pulling chairs for them to get seated. They want women to lick their footsteps.

Dear men, a man who can perform some basic culinary skills is not only a turn on, but will help prolong his woman's life. 

Dear women, teach your sons to cook, clean and  treat women like the English men do. We're tired of all these crop of badly behaved men parading our homes and streets. It's nauseating.

......Puppishgirl....

To the men who are not spoilt and are real gentlemen, we adore you!

Photo Source:Pinterest 

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOU LATELY ?

What have I done for me lately?

Do you sometimes stop to ask yourself this question as a woman?

Sometimes we become overwhelmed by the pressures of life and womanhood 

Periods, pregnancy, childbirth

Taking care of our men, families

Ensuring we're giving our best in our various fields of expertise etc.

Sometimes taking care of our men and families becomes our top priority to the point where we forget to pause

To ask what we've done for ourselves lately

This week, read a new book and lots of articles on personal growth and development, get a new look, go to the spa and get pampered(take money from him for it if that's how you can rock you)

Go get a drink by yourself- all alone to clear your head and enjoy your 'me' time

Look out for you- instead of the world

Sometimes we forget to look out for ourselves 

No one can take care of you if you fail to take care of you first

So while you run around in this crazy world, remember to pause for a moment to ask yourself if you've done anything for yourself lately.

Remember who you are....

A woman 

You light up the world 

Keep shining woman!

...Puppishgirl...

Photo Source:Pinterest 

THE TRIUMPH IN LOSING

 When they choose others over us we cry and grieve

When they dump us

We wail mourn and lose ourselves 

Lose and drown ourselves in self pity

Till we're on the verge of losing ourselves 

When they step out on us

We ask questions and grieve for a while

A day

A year

Five years

Yet someday we'll get the drift

They had to go away to prevent us from getting permanently scarred

Scarred for life

To stop us from enduring the torture of seeing them in a box

In a box where they'll journey on and break our hearts

Sometimes God has a reason for letting people reject you

So you can cry now and avoid grieving later

It is called life

It is called love

In loving others

We lose sometimes 

At other times we win

Not every loss is a defeat 

In some losses you triumph 

Photo Source:Pinterest 

THERE IN MY DREAMS

Today, I woke up with images of you in my mind’s eye

Because you were in my dreams

As we walked arm in arm

I wasn’t sure you wanted that,

Because you were in my dreams

It was a dream

In reality, you wouldn’t speak to me

I wonder why I keep seeing you

There in my dreams

Physically, I’ve let go

Spiritually I’ve let go

Mentally I’ve let go

But you were there,

There in my dreams

My emotions are all over the place

I wish you could touch my soul and see how purple it is

Purple for a dance I had with the sun

The sun who has become irreplaceable

A dance that took forever to forget

I want another dance with the sun

You were in my dreams

There in my dreams

If you gave me another dance

If you let me dance with the sun again

If you let me have a dance with the sun ever again

Why am I so distraught

What is this that I want

Another dance with the sun

Sweet, memorable and lasting

You were in my dreams

There in my dreams

…………………Puppishgirl…………..

Photo Source: Google Photos

TO THE WOMAN YOU ARE: YES YOU CAN!

Dear Young Woman,

You don't have to play dirty politics to reach the top
You don't have to start off as an MP at 30 to reach the top
You don't have to dance in a strip club or feature in a porn movie to reach the top
The 'top' is in your mind and your ability to dream
To have a dream, hold it dear, and work on it, to ensure you live it

                                                  Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang

If you just live and focus,
You will reach the top
Sometimes, God doesn't follow the procedure
He jumps the steps in the procedure
He makes you sit somewhere and he draws you into the light where you will get noticed
And when he is done
Like a sky full of stars, he ensures you just become that very important
That's you
If you can dream, wait and work
To the Woman you are
Yes, you can!


Celebrating Jane Opoku-Agyemang on her unveiling as running mate to the Flagbearer of the largest opposition party in Ghana.
I don't care about politics, all I know is 'you are a woman.'
Cheers to womanhood!

....Puppishgirl....

A GENTLE REMINDER

I like to read the words you wrote over and over again although someone

would think I shouldn’t

I like to read it over and over again

not because it’s the most pleasant thing I ever read

not because it’s the only piece I’ve got to read

but to remind myself daily

of who I am

and how much I’m worth

to bring me back to the realisation that I deserve better

to make me in awe of the strength I wield

to remind me constantly that an eagle must only soar with eagles and not feed with the hens

to remind me that I am a woman whose worth should not be determined by how someone chooses to

treat me

to remind me that while you exploit me

there’s someone out there who is gentle and kinder with their words

to remind me that this thing called womanhood is a blessing

to set me on the path to the mountain top

to remind me that I’m a woman who should not be scorned

to remind me that I’m gold

that I deserve better

to remind me of the day I set out on this path

a path to freedom to own my thoughts and feel my emotions

a path to strength where my strength is in my thoughts

thoughts of who I am

of who deserves me

of what deserves my emotions and attention

thoughts not to allow the impact of your your exploitation fill my head

not to allow the impact of your ill treatment push me under the bridge

a path to freedom

free from the bondage of abuse today and tomorrow

for now and the future

free from limitation

with no limits to my tomorrow

to clip my wings and prevent me from ever flying

I begrudge you not

rather I’m grateful for such a time

a time when womanhood will be scorned for another woman

a time when masculinity will be perceived as 'bolster' or 'benefit'

grateful for the reminder

the reminder to embrace and celebrate who I am

the reminder that I’m worth better

a reminder of my own strength drawn in my weakness from the wells of a dictator

a dictate to feminity

a gentle reminder

a reminder.....

Photo Source: Pinterest

FRANCISCA MUR: THANKS FOR THE COLOURS

I sit here to flip through this piece that I wrote for you
Thank you for the womb that birthed me
Thank you for all the years you've given me
Thank you for the things I have that I need
for the things I wanted which I have and for
the things I want which I'm yet to see
Thank you for all the tears and laughter
Thank you for the pins and needles
for the lonely nights and cuddles
Thank you for the spice and sugar
for the cold and warmth
for the dark times and the golden sunshine moments
thank you for the colours
for the colours of the story you're writing with me as the protagonist
for the colours of today and beyond
Thanks for Francisca Mur
Thank you for the colours
To the author of my life's book with love...

April 7, under lockdown in the era of the COVID-19 panademic..God is still ahead!
Happy birthday to all my birthday mates especially Duke Bright-Kaitoo, Maame, Obasi, Teddy...
Everyone, have a house party and have a blast!
Ghost Papa's Pizza sender,  please I don't like Papa's Pizza, I prefer Eddys. God bless you already!

Photo Source: Pinterest
                     

YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST FRIEND!

The other day, as a prelude to my birthday, I started sharing with you my lessons over the past three decades.

I couldn't share more after that because I have been busy engaging my internet service provider in a banter but I'm back to share my thoughts.

So here's another major lesson.

"Find God."
Find your God, on this journey, you will need him. You will need him in good times and bad times. You will need him through the storm and through the day.

I make finding your God  part of your life's journey because I have come to learn that we all need God in our lives.  Whatever your religious belief. I reiterate, I'm a christian.

I have lost so many loved ones on this journey, at their farewell services, one phrase has cut across; "We know you are in a better place." At times it was "God be with you till we meet again" the other one that baffles my mind is the "We love you but God loves you most" then "We know you are in heaven smiling down on us."

Look, no matter what you do, you shan't live here on earth forever. All these farewell messages point to God. I'm yet to attend a funeral where they virtually do not mention God. So if in death, you are expected to be with God, how do you be with someone who is a complete stranger to you? Find your God while you are here. Develop a relationship with him now, so that when your loved ones bid you farewell, and hope you indeed have gone to be with God, that would be the case.

Growing up in a Christian home, we started so well, along the line, life's escapades stole us away and we drifted but thank God for grace.

Because you don't know when you will need God, you had better find him early. Find him in these times of the pandemic when nations are seeking and finding him. Don't just live.. find God!

Another lesson is to be in awe that "people will not treat you the same way you treat them, treat them well any way."
So I remember years ago, when I applied for an online Proofreading job for non English speakers. I had arranged with a friend, one who was constantly propelling me to chase my other dreams. We would spend hours talking about how to reach those dreams, we got along because we shared similar talents. He was going to be on standby during the exam which was online, and where I needed help, he would text me the answer.

In the middle of  the exam, I got confused or so and contacted him. His response, "I'm sorry this is an exam for you, I can't help." In the middle of the paper, wow, I thought. I quickly phoned my friend Rina.  I wasn't even sure she would pick my call as she had a busy job because firstly, she was the one I was going to make that arrangement with, I didn't involve her because of her busy job.  Note that, I had no previous arrangements with Rina, but she picked up.  I only told her I was confused about something I was working on and the answer to choose. She endorsed my chosen answer. It was snappy and that was it.

When the exam was over was when I had the chance to think about what had just happened. A friend I had arranged with had backed out in the middle of the paper. He never gave me an explanation for his behaviour-I never asked. I moved on with our friendship.

I told another friend about it, I actually did not understand why he would pull out without an explanation in the middle, knowing how much I wanted that job and he reiterated that lesson to me. "People will not always have your back like you do theirs so you should learn to be independent."

Again, sometime late last year, I was applying for a course and needed to write a personal essay. I put it together and again fell on this same friend since he is in academia and was in  a better position to tell me whether the essay made sense or not.  He wanted to know whether it was for my Masters etc... You know the prying questions people ask when they want to know what you are up to. Unfortunately, I have become too private a person, it's a privilege knowing what I'm up to. I did not expect that he would be of help. I had sent it to some other people awaiting their response and he was one of those, although I was open to disappointment from him in particular, yes I was. I'm sorry but I couldn't help it. All the others got back to me.

I was right. He came back to say he had lectures all day and needed to teach so he would get back to me later. I heard from him later endorsing exactly what I had written. No editing. By then I had  already submitted my application  Months on, your guess is as good as mine.

While on this journey, you are your biggest cheerleader, and most reliable friend. People will fall back on their words with no explanation. They would still want to be considered friends and still ask for favours when they know you can help them but they won't be there for you. So you are either in with them or you are out.

Another major lesson for me has been "Don't tell people your business secrets, ideas or plans."  My friend, Ama(not her real name though) called me up one afternoon asking to partner with me on a project I was embarking on. She sounded genuine, according to her, she had the urge to start something and would want to partner with me instead. I was not selfish. I shared my ideas with her and the challenges of what she so wanted to venture into. She asked questions where she was unclear. Days on, she came back asking for the name of my project. That was the last time she spoke to me about that particular project. The next time I realised, she was on social media, didn't have the creativity to choose her own name, she had to steal a part of mine. Copied exactly everything in the pictures I sent her from costume to everything and she owned it for herself. Thankfully, I never told her about my goals and reasons for starting that project. I did not tell her about my methodology for executing the project, my long and short term goal  and those would later become the deal breaker for me.

Stop sharing your ideas with people who disguise themselves as aspiring shareholders or partners, whatever... Until there has been some sort of a 'Contract' binding you both, where you can sue for breaches in future if you have to. Don't share your ideas with people based on trust. You don't owe anyone! You are your own best friend!

Will be back to share my other lessons till then, don't forget to stay home if you can.

Well if you live in Ghana, you don't have a choice. Wash your hands often with soap under running water, cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough and dispose it off immediately. Sanitize your hands and of course, avoid touching your face....

Find something worth doing with your time during the lockdown so you don't die of boredom.




Photo Source: Google Photos

HOLDING ON TO YOUR DREAMS: YOU'LL GET THERE...

It's five days to my 3...? birthday and I thought I would use these few days to share with my readers some of the real life lessons I've learned in my three decades on earth.

Holding on to your dreams. I learned this lesson over and over again.
Growing up, I always said I would be a Celebrated writer, a Lawyer, a Sports Journalist, a Flight attendant...errm what again.

All those fantasies you have as a little girl.

When I left Legon, one of the things I wanted was to work in the Media space because I always wanted to go to Journalism school after SSS. Yet, my Alice would have none of that. She said I was her first and my siblings were going to take after me, a hitch or deviation from the norm was precedent set for my younger siblings, thus I ended up studying for a degree in Psychology and Political Science.

After Legon, I couldn't find a media job immediately, obviously, all the things I needed to do to prepare me for a media job were lacking on my CV at the time. Where was I when people were honing their skills on Radio Universe? After National Service, I decided to try my other passion. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Secret Seven, All the Dean Koontz books and loved the sound of being a lawyer because you just had to read I thought. So I tried pursuing my law dream.

My first attempt, I would fail. I passed on my second attempt. How fulfilling it was to see my name, the 11th on the notice board of the University of Ghana Law Faculty. I had passed out of over 1000 applicants, I would discover later that I had to put that dream on hold until years later.

When I found a media job that brought to bare my writing skills, I was the only female among the men. Relegated to the background, probably the least of the best. If I would survive, I had to fight the norm. Women are the weaker sex, women cannot work under too much pressure, women need days off to marry, make babies and even on their period.

I held onto my dreams. Generally, what keeps me motivated as  a person, is for people to say I cannot make it. That, sounds like a challenge. I would prove you wrong and it becomes what propels me on to success.

My mother would tell me while I was a teenager, that the things people say I cannot do are the things I can actually do. That has stuck with me. I however thank God for the misplaced priorities of being in a Science Class. That taught me to dream and dream and work on my dreams because I realised then that I was in a place of not belonging where I struggled and struggled.

So for everyone I have met on this journey called life. For everyone who looked down on me academically, career wise, relationship, financially, socially whatever, thank you for pushing me to becoming the best Elikem I'm becoming. Your discouragements and times of beating me down with words have shaped me on my life's journey.

The other day, a friend, someone I've been on the same show with several times- people like that challenge you to come really prepared because their analysis of a particular book can send you wondering if you read the book at all. So, Regina put up a status on Whatsapp asking people to tell stories of dreams they held dear while growing up. People who shared their dreams were already living them, while others had veered off completely and others were finding their feet gradually. It made me realise the essence of holding on to your dreams.

I totally shelved my dreams and worked in different fields until I realised that in those fields, I did not find fulfillment, in those fields, I worked for the money, in those fields, I needed to only survive.

Today, I wanted to remind you that, after reading all the stories that Regina put up on her status the other day, one thing made sense to me, if we held on to our dreams, reminded ourselves that these are dreams we hold dear, and want to see through, if we woke up daily even if it took years, if we list them down and read them to ourselves and pasted them beside our beds, constantly reminding ourselves that, these dreams must come true. If we worked on them, no matter how long and how tough, if only we held on tight to them, then one day, those dreams would come true.

True in so many ways. If not how you envisaged it, even bigger and better. But once we stop dreaming, we stop living. Once we stop dreaming we're like chaff before the wind. Once we stop dreaming God stops coming through for us.

So I don't know what you might be going through. Did you reach your dreams? Are you on your way? Can you hold on and not stop dreaming? Could you still keep hope alive? Could you remind yourself that you are "amazing," " you can do it,"  " you can be anything" if you dream and believe it, you don't have to live according to the dictates of people who beat you down with words. You will get there.

You will get there. I'm personally not there yet. I haven't reached my dreams but then I just shared with you the power of holding on to your dreams. Dream on, I know you will get there.




Photo Source: Google Photos
Effects of COVID-19 Lockdown: You just write like your head no dey...

HEALING IS COMING!

"And one day soon, “a time to weep” will be no more. For God himself “will wipe away every tear from our eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” 
 Revelation 21:2" Desiring God

So from "Desiring God devotional", I read this scripture again tonight under the theme: "tears may tarry for now". A scripture which has made so much meaning when people I know have departed the world but today, it makes so much sense in relation to the chaos we're facing as people passing through this world.

The world is sick, it needs healing. Italy is sick. America is sick, my Ghana is sick. The world is sick. The tears are flowing, hearts are troubled. When shall life return back to normal?

For hours, I could sit and brood over all the reasons China was facing COVID-19. I would begin to wonder when it would end. I fell in love with China because of my sister who was just about going to China when the chaos began. I fell in love when she began to learn Chinese, the language fascinated me. I had never heard a language so funny. She made me fall in love with China. 

When parents of the Ghanaian-Chinese students  were calling for evacuation of the children, I was one of the people who did not want them evacuated but wanted them safe. It was so scary only for the whole world to be hit including my Ghana.

So if you know me, you know I wash my hands at the least opportunity. I wash my hands as soon as I get to work and put my bag down. I wash my hands after connecting my internet cable at work, after touching the AC remote, touching the door, I wash my hands after going to some other office and use tissues to pick up stuff prior to the pandemic. Apparently, people at work noticed and I was surprised when a colleague used it as a point of reference during a conversation at work one time sometime last year.

My hand washing history began from home. Right from the time when we were kids, my Alice-Alice is my mum would insist you wash your hands first when you get home before you speak to her. My mum taught all four of us, including my little niece who over washes her hands, it gets annoying, to wash and just wash our hands. Well, my Mum has a thing for washing hands. She would fight you for not washing your hands.

This pandemic has made me want to wash my hands more. I prefer  washing my hands to using sanitizers. This pandemic has made me adjust to using sanitizers as well. I'm do it to the point that people around me notice and a lady at work had to tell me to take it easy.

One day, we woke up and all of a sudden we had to stop living. Our lives changed. People have died. Our cases have shot up to 141. People are blaming a certain Obuor for concealing the travel history of his dad.  We have all become suspicious of each other. I wouldn't even waste a moment speaking to anyone when I get home. 

I'm in a hurry to discard my clothes into my laundry basket and take a shower before I start a conversation. I stopped hugging people. 

Yesterday, someone I hadn't seen in weeks came by my office with my favourite pizza I couldn't hug him. He sat metres away from me and this is someone with whom I probably hug sixty times when we are together. A pandemic just made us stop getting physical contact with people. I can't even give my niece the usual pecks when I get home, and she stands there saying "kiss me" then I remind her Coronavirus then she melts and says "okay after you take your bath."

We can't even go to the salon.
Or get a pedicure or a facial.
Everything is in disarray.

No church, no school. Everything is in disarray.

The Citydia workers no longer smile when you go in there. Even the security man stopped saying "hello madam". You have to disinfect everything you bring home from the shops.

The world is sick. I want this to all go away. And reading this scripture reminds me of the assurance we have in Christ. Our tears will end soon. 

I still say at this point that if you do not believe in God, and this pandemic- Italy and China's case has not taught you to believe in God, at this point, then I don't know what can break you.

Though it tarries, there's light ahead.
Soon the partial lock-down in parts of Ghana will be over. Hopefully we shall record more recoveries than deaths, we pray. 

Be focused on your God and stop blaming him for the pandemic. Be focused on his love and the times he's been good to China, Italy and America. For the times he made America a powerful nation. For the times he sat and watched the world turn against him but did not react and is still merciful. God is not wicked. He is faithful. Rather may the world use this pandemic to let God, and let God into each country that God alone will rule through his people. 

Don't forget to wash your hands, it won't kill you. I heard a man say to the supermarket girl ensuring people wash their hands before they enter the supermarket say he's washed his hands more than ten times today and was requesting for sanitizer instead yet the girl insisted and reminded him he would be denied entry if he didn't comply.

Practice all that we've been told to, stay home if you are not an essential service provider, stay home. Don't flout the law. Those christians fighting every directive, remember, a good christian is a good citizen. 

For people like me who barely stay home to bond with family, this is the time, stay home. Read and read. Bond with people via social media etc. Amazingly, I reply half the messages I receive now. Yes now I actually see them, because my schedule is not too busy and I have come to realise how I ignored people in the past. 

Stay home.
Don't panic.
Check reliable sources only, for news on COVID-19 so you don't end up leaving this world out of fear. 
Hold on, healing is coming!

Photo Source: Google Photos
Lockdown or no lockdown I'll still celebrate my 3....
I've never felt this peaceful and elated about my birthday...

HOPE WITHIN

I have a home
Eternal home
But for now I walk this broken world

You walked it first
You know our pain
But You show hope can rise again up from the grave

Abide with me
Abide with me
Don't let me fall
And don't let go

Walk with me
And never leave
Ever close God abide with me

There in the night
Gethsemane
Before the cross
Before the nails

I'm overwhelmed
Alone, You prayed
You met us in our suffering and bore our shame

Abide with me
Abide with me
Don't let me fall
And don't let go

Walk with me
And never leave
Ever close God abide with me

Oh, love that will not ever let me go
Love that will not ever let me go

You never let me go
Love that will not ever let me go

And up ahead
Eternity
We'll weep no more and sing for joy abide with me
We'll weep no more and sing for joy abide with…

Abide with me by Matt Redman

The song for the season.......................................................................

It's a sad world

It's a sad country

It's a sad time

Gloom lingers 

Darkness travails

and leers on

Fear and panic

Suspicion and grief

Silent conversations with one's self

Uncertainty in the midst of war

When will this end

Hope within 

Uncertain when our hope will become reality

Unsure when this darkness will linger no more

But confident that beyond the dark

Is a glitter of light:

A wave of healing and strength

 economies will rise again

systems will work again

suspicions will be thrown out of the window

A light so bright to drive away the darkness of the world

If only we'll wait and hold on

Hope within

................Puppishgirl..........

 'World Poetry' day... and we hope that someday...soon

..Ghana will heal.. the world will heal and life will still go on...

Photo Source: Google Photos

WOULD YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS?

 Today, I didn’t go to church because I decided to do the things I would do on Saturday night on Sunday morning and by the time I was done, it was past 8.30am so I stayed home since I was already late for service but one thing kept coming to mind. What if today was my last Sunday on earth? What would I tell God I did with my last Sunday?

If today was my last Sunday on earth, I would certainly have regrets, lots of regrets and according to my belief, well, I believe in Jesus Christ, that he was crucified and died on the cross of Calvary and was buried and resurrected on the third day and sits on the right hand of his father where he has gone to prepare a place for me and he will return to take away with him to his father’s house those who are his. You can call it bullshit, crap, a tale, whatever, that’s my belief unfortunately, you can’t take it away from me.

So like I said, I would have regrets. The regret that I did not go to worship in his house with brethren and do my duties in his house, including playing the organ for people to sing and worship their maker, including not going to clean his house for people to come and sit and fellowship with their maker and brethren, I would have regrets such as all the times I would not show up to perform my duties in his house, such as the times I mistakenly went to church to show off my ass, to please the pastor because he expected me to be in church and not to please the one who gave me life, such as the times I went to church because of what people thought and not what God thought of me.

You see, I’ll have all of these regrets including the times I sowed seeds to please men and not because I wanted to and all the times even under the watch of God I went straight from sin to the house of God because I was expected to. All the times I said I was tired and couldn’t go to church especially in the early stages of my LLB when the only days I had to myself was Sunday mornings, thus thought it was a better time to nap and completely stopped being a church worker. I went weeks without going to church on Sundays.

All these thoughts ran through my head and I remembered that sometimes we ask God for particular blessings and yet the same blessings somehow manage to keep us away from serving God to the fullest.

Like a woman barren for years asking God for the fruit of the womb, and he finally grants her request but her child and taking care of him stands in the way between her and her maker so she’s unable to show up in his house or even continue with her duties in her house, perhaps as a  church worker.

Our sister Dela who went to be with the Lord in 2018 came to mind while all these thoughts ran through my  mind. She left this world at 32 but according to her mum, during her final moments, she knew her life here had ended as she seemed to have rather prepared for the journey ahead of her. That unknown journey that none of us has ever embarked on and will never embark on to return here to tell the rest what exactly that place is like, or what they go to do there. But all we know is that, their being absent in the body means to be present with God according to the scripture in 2Corinthians 5:8

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Memories of Dela still hurt like she left today instead of almost two years ago. Also when I remember that I set foot in church over there, expecting to see her beautiful big eyes and her smile, yet I would never see her in this life again, when the choir sings and they’re dancing and I cannot see her in the choir or when they would pray and for us and pray for her as she prepared to take after her mum, the zeal with which she served in the house of God, it occurred to me I have not done much because even until her her final moments she was still doing what she had to do.

People leave the house of God and go and die, people die enroute to church, people die after a night out at the club, peope live here twenty years, and go away but sometimes, their works are more than those who live fifty or ninety.

God! I’m thinking that every day we get to live here, is a day to live as if we have no time. To complete the works which we have been ordained to do. Months ago when I was preparing to undergo one of those stages in life when you just had to do it to survive, I wrote my biography, I sped up the books and stories I was working on and specifically wrote all instructions down for my sister. If I went and didn’t return for some reason, I must have shared my talent with the world but most especially spiritually, I needed to secure for myself, to ensure that I was safe wherever it is I was going.

Must it be said that I came here, went through all this torture of today I’m under the weather, tomorrow I’m that and depart the world to be unhappy wherever? If I was going to leave, then the peace they speak about, I must find and find absolutely.

And today, I only seek to ask you, if today was your last Sunday, would you have any regrets like me?

Sometimes, we chase our dreams: bearing children, marriage, education, career, etc so much we barely have time for the things of God but while we chase the world, remember your creator because there’s no remembrance of him in death according to Psalm 6:5

If I so scared you with death and what if….it’s because today, I came to remind you that, no matter what you do, remember your creator as we are entreated in Ecclesiastes 12:1.

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