Somewhere In The World Today...

Dear Lord,

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a man confused about what to do next. He’s done all he knows but has still not been able to be the kind of husband and father he thought he would be.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a woman whose hope is failing. She has been patient, trusting that things will get better. She’s raised her kid(s) without a man and has struggled with broken dreams.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a couple that woke up not understanding why they are still together, looking for a reason to break up, wishing there were no kids in between to make their decision to move on tough…

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a new kid on the prison block. He’s wondering how he got into the whole mess that landed him in the cells, and the answer just isn’t coming.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a young lady who has become tired of believing and is just ready to give in and violate every single principle she has stood for.

Somewhere in the world today, people are suffering for the mistakes and ineptitude of their parents.

Somewhere in the world today, there’s a child, wondering why he/she is not the one in the classroom; why he/she cannot wear good clothes and shoes like the child across the road; why there’s no one to call dad or mum; why that uncle puts his hand under her skirt every time she needs 1cedi for a meal; why that aunty asks him to kiss her nipples every time he comes for a plate of rice without money; why his/her little shoulders must have to carry an adult's burden and why he/she must have to figure this whole sadness out…

Lord, I am just reporting live from the world. But You have already seen these things from where You are. So I am not just notifying You with updates, I have just come to ask for grace. Lord have mercy on them… Have mercy on us all.

Let the Light of Your Presence pierce through the darkness and break the chains of death, wickedness and despair among us. Let us rise up in Faith… true Faith, and contend with the enemy of our souls. 

Teach us to pray o Lord and teach us to remember to give thanks in all things, for it is Your will for us through Jesus Christ…

Above all Lord, give us grace to help those who cannot help themselves.

Peace Lord... I'm out!

Crossroads...

Hello everyone!

I trust we are all doing awesome and the month has been good for us so far... I pray no weapon formed against us will prosper IJN, Amen!

I got some few things to share today, so here goes...    

Sometimes we don’t know why people do what they do. Sometimes we are uncertain about whether or not people mean well... (just well) when they take us out, buy us gifts; show all forms of care, concern and attention.

What is worse and even more perplexing is when the people that do these things for you who you ordinarily consider as having no reason or business with wanting to take the “beats” to the next level, but then, they begin to show you signs which, whether confirmed verifiable or otherwise, indicate that they want to be something more than friends.

The married ones are more difficult to digest, especially when you know their spouses and are directly involved in their lives, whether as friends, family or close associates/colleagues. Then the questions begin:

What is this? What is going on? Why does he/she keep calling or texting me? Why does he/she use those words to speak to me? Why this unusual show of concern? Does his/her spouse know that he/she visits me? Why does he/she want to spend this much time with me, and this much money on me? What if his/her spouse finds out?

Then another deluge of questions ensue:

What do I do? How do I manage this? His/her spouse is my friend (or someone I know very well), and he/she is a good person. How do I begin to handle this? How can I allow this to destroy my good relationship with these people?

Then comes the next stage: We either play along, or we decide that this has gone far enough and no further... Me thinks, that a defined relationship sets boundaries:

"What do you want?" is a question that is very much in place at this point. The "NO!!! We can't do this" should be next. When they say "oh no! you are getting it all wrong", ask them "then why this and why that (ofcourse you have your facts)". Tell them, "you must stop this! Don't let me loose the respect I have for you. Do you even wonder what will happen if your spouse finds out?" They will usually use the oldest answer in the book to address this: "but you and I are adults... who will know if we don't say?"

If you are not comfortable with it, walk away from it. Don't wait till you get entangled. I know that there are so many reasons why things might happen the way they do, but really, much as we are none to judge, we cannot pretend that there are no Wolves in Sheep's clothing, who will mess up your life just for a piece of it.

I don't have all the answers, and I hope you can lend your voice to this issue. Lots of people, both men and women are in this quagmire, and still have not figured out how to deal with it. Or have you been there yourself? How did you deal with it (if you dealt with it)?

Peace... I'm out

Stress Reliever!

Hello everyone!!!

Thanks for the encouraging comments on my last post, I appreciate. 

Someone sent me this Akpors joke on whatsapp, I laughed so much I had to share, so here goes:

"Teacher: There will be an elementary science test next week.

Contrary to his nature, Akpors reads his book from cover to cover like no man's business. On test day, teacher lines up about 5 birds, covering each with a piece of cloth so only their legs are visible.

Question 1: Looking at the leg of a bird write down its common name, habitat etc.
 

After about 20mins of frustration and not writing anything, Akpors storms to the teacher's desk and slams his blank sheet in front of the teacher.

Akpors: Sir this test makes no sense! I am going home!
Teacher: What a rude boy! Come back here, What is ur name?

Akpors raises his trouser and points to his leg "Oya, you too, look at my leg and tell me my name, my surname, my house address, what tribe i come from... etc" LWKMD...

In other matters, there's this "guess the blogger" post kinda game from Atilola lately, and its fun! Congrats to Honeydame and Toinlicious. "Me too will win some" LOL. 

Hei tomorrow is a holiday, Yaaaay!!!!, I know 9ja will be having a long holiday cos' its two whole days! well... I wish una well eh... I go manage my one day like that. (sad faced) lol... Barka da salah in advance to all my Muslim friends... Blessings and more to you all.

Peace... I'm out!

Help Them Or Let Them Be...

Where I have been? I've been on leave from work... Eating, sleeping and getting fat. And oh... Worked on my long essay which I have submitted. I believe y'all are doing awesome? I am doing same and I resumed work today.

So, on July 19, I submitted my long essay on "Using Communication to Reduce Stigmatisation Against Persons Living With HIV/AIDS". What started as a mere academic exercise (which was meant to add value to my results) turned out to become much more than an intellectually gratifying experience, but also an emotional and soul searching journey.

I had first-hand contact and conversation with persons living with HIV/AIDS (called PLWHA in short)

Me & Joyce D Natey (AIDS ambassador & PLWHA)

and the first thing that hit me was "Hei! Come now! these guys are human beings! Real people! They eat, they talk, they cry, they look good... really good, and they are no different from you and I". I had to come face to face with my guilt and my fear; the guilt of saying to myself, that it is risky to have PLWHA as friends, and the fear of thinking that mingling with them even in a conversation will infect one.

Well... I conquered my guilt, and I conquered my fear concerning PLWHA. I applaud them for speaking openly about their situation; for teaching people like us how to handle ourselves so that we don't get into their situation. I respect them... I don't pity them. Not at all! They don't  need pity, whether yours or mine. They need our eyes, our ears and our hearts to be open to their message, that it could have been us in their shoes. So we must learn what they are teaching us and not stigmatise them. They deserve a good life and we must not stand in their way of getting it. Besides, most of them "before and after" lived and are living a far more decent life and are much less promiscuous than a lot of us who vilify them.

So, just as I have been converted, I end in the words of Jesus "...let he/she that is without sin, cast the first stone"

SAY NO TO STIGMATISATION OF PLWHA

Peace... I'm out!

Does this Call for A Divorce?

Hello Everyone!

Best of the week to you all. I had a good rest this weekend , I believe you all are doing very great?.

So there's a column in one of the newspapers where people write letters to discuss their relationship problems and ask for advice as to what to do.

I read this letter that got me laughing all through, but after some time got me thinking and wanting to find answers. The letter was written by a certain man... According to the letter, the man wants to divorce his wife because ever since he married her, he's never seen any hair in her armpit. He's monitored and tried to observe her to know whether she had been shaving...

Its been over 3years since they got married and he still hasn't seen anything like a hair(s) in her armpit, so he mustered the courage to asked her about it, only for her to say she's never had hair growing in her armpit ever since she was born.

Now the man wants to divorce his wife because he feels that the woman "na strong winsh" (is a witch) or she don use her hair arrange some serious occultic powers... In the process of seeking a resolution to his issue, I think the man learnt that there could be a medical explanation to it, and it could be due to some abnormalities, but certainly not anything serious.

Does it really matter whether person get hair for armpit or not? and like seriously, would this man have divorced his wife because of this case... Like for real?!

Best of wishes to you all.

Peace... I'm out!

Finally...

Hello Lovely People,

I just wrote my very last paper as an undergraduate! When I got up, I took one loooong, haaard look at the chair I sat on, 'cause I knew that it was the last time I was ever going to sit on a chair like that in the capacity I had sat on it a few minutes ago. As I walked out of the examination hall, I had the inspiration to write this poem, and quickly I sat down to put pen to paper. It's my thoughts about my journey thus far. Enjoy:

ONE BRIDGE CROSSED

It was just like yesterday

I started this race

This race, to win a place

Among the white collars of the world

Not just as one with a bucket,

But as a rain maker

I look back at how the race has been

How so many times I thought I might never get here

How I wondered if I was going to make it through

How I got tired at some point and almost threw in the towel

How Love kept me going

How  Courage kept me stable

How Faith kept me thriving

How Prayer kept me sailing

I can't say I have seen it all

But I have seen quite a bit

And with every heartbeat

I am thankful I have come this far...

One bridge crossed

I too can say

Been there, done that...

Ebenezer!

I did it? No! We did it!! Together!!!

But Lord, You did more... Much more

You made the dream come alive

You gave energy to the vision

You gave speed and ease to all the efforts

You have made me what I have become...

Amen.

Peace... I'm out!

Life Is Like A Coffee...

I watched this video and just had to share... The words are so true and inspiring... Enjoy!

I had so much fun on my birthday... thanks for all the amazing messages, prayers and wishes! God bless your sweet good hearts for me.

Peace... I'm out!

And Yet Another Milestone Of Grace...

Today is my birthday... and as I sit here, taking stock of my life and reflecting on how far God has brought me, I can only say that, I have been through thick and thin; through the good and the bad weather; through plenty and lack; through pain, sorrow, loss, grief and laughter, and through it all, I have learnt the Love of God and I have learnt to Love Him more. 

I can't say I am there yet, as a matter of fact, I know I am not. But the crack of every dawn and His loving kindness towards me, tells me, that the Love of God is worth depending on. He's all around me and He just won't let me go.

I am a living testimony. A proof that God is good and His Love is real; that no matter what you

see, hear or feel, God is at work in your life. So don't let go, don't give in, and don't give up. This is my story (and it can be yours too), that I believe in miracles... And I believe in God. I am God's miracle product. And if you are wondering who Apy is... Well that's moi. That's my pet name, from my sweetheart. *big winks*

Peace... I'm out