a cooking pot and twisted tales
Thoughts and Tales…A Lifestyle Blog with a Zing.
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We thank you.
We thank you for preserving us through it all.
Through trying moments and good moments
Your Grace has been sufficient unto the day.
As we cycle out of the year 2015
We stride into 2016 with a heart filled with gratitude,
And our mouths filled with praise.
We stride into 2016 with Faith, Hope and Grace.
You are the source of all that we have and are.
Our inspiration and strength which comes from above.
Our Blessings and Salvation are at your right hand.
Our Peace and present help in time of need.
Our Shield, Strong Tower and Wise Counselor, You changeth not.
You are Our Everything God.
As we embrace this new year,
May we embrace goodwill.
May love, respect, peace, strength, blessings and joy,
That comes from the four winds, from above and the deep be our portion.
May we be washed anew and renewed as vessels of honour.
Your abundant grace and mercy shall follow us.
Your word O’Lord will remain a lamp to our feet and a light to our path.
Our lips will declare your love and your goodness in the land of the living.
Your words says that as we proclaim and as we believe and so shall it be unto our days.
We are eternally grateful.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
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Life is too short and dentition tends to fall out as we age.
So smile, while you still have them to show.
Quick interesting fact:
When people sing together in a choir, their heartbeats synchronise.
It’s always lovely to start the week and each day as much as we can with a smile and positive outlook. I find Leannenz Monday memes interesting.
Do have a fruitful and blessed week awesome people.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
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How can I not forgive you;
For that which I may be guilty of too?
How can I be so hypocritical;
With fierce darts so critical?
For it is great Grace,
That saves me as a Scapegrace.
Buffeted and Battered by Transgressions,
I bow to my knees, folded within.
Searching to recognize my peace,
As hot tongues of the brethren’s accuser,
Chastises from within the inner realm,
A quiver full of squirmy thoughts.
How can I not….
For to forgive you
Is to forgive myself.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
It’s Christmas Day in two days, but it’s been Christmas for longer than these days in my heart. 
I am grateful for all the lovely messages of Glad Tidings floating around cyberspace.
I am grateful for all the smiling faces and happy vibes that I see all around me in my neighbourhood.
I am grateful for provision and for the time spent with my loved ones. The children are on school break and it’s a beautiful time of laughter and squabbles.
I am grateful for the ”Reason for this Season, Jesus Christ” – the center of my gravity, my peace and redemption.
Christmas is not just about the bright lights, the gifts or the plentiful eating happening all around, but about the Birth of the Messenger of Peace and Love.
Indeed, we can experience bone deep peace and joy of Christmas in our lives, even beyond this time if only we look up and try.
Remember that it is the little things that makes the difference. What are you grateful for today?
You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.
Blessed Love and Peace to You and Yours. Merry Christmas.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
I never ever say goodbyes,
Except when you’ve made a real good buy,
For whenever I say goodbye,
It always makes me want to cry.
It takes on such a finite note,
To memories sweet with tender quotes,
It kinda sticks right in my throat,
Which makes me choke when you board the boat.
Now, I prefer to say farewell,
Which makes my heart to really swell,
With thoughts of sweet affection tell,
And hope that things will go so well.
So long, farewell to thee I say,
For all who journey with me this way.
May your dwelling be in safe grace,
Until our paths cross again in this space.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Writing 101, Day 10 FAREWELL
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Though we rhymed for a brief moment,
And too soon it’s time to part.
In these wonderful moments
I have met such lovely art.
Do fare well, as time passes by,
And the seasons roll on by,
For we’ll be forever rhyming,
Till we can’t rhyme no more!
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
Writing 101, Day 10 – FAREWELL
Being a mother is not a duty that comes with a how-to manual; you simply take on the responsibility with Grace and Hope.
Some days are a fly by the seat of your pants days, where so many things get thrown at you at such speed that you either catch, dodge or get hit.
Yesterday was one of those days. I will not inundate you with all the nitty-gritty, but when you have children, you are always simply in the ”Be prepared mode”, more so with two rough and tumble boys.
One left for school hale and hearty and came back wheeled in with a sprained ankle from a rough game of football. He had scored a goal and the others piled on top of him!
Another came down with a bout of fever and coughing up a storm.
My dear daughter on her own part, appeared puffy faced and teary eyed; her brand new tablet had just been smashed by a careless best friend.
All these within hours of each other and on top of other beckoning, ever- present responsibilities.
”What do you do?” ”Pull your hair out and get crazy or keep calm and handle the tasks at hand?”
Scene 1. With lots of cold compress, gentle massage and pain relief, we got the ankle to feel fine and he is walking by himself this morning, so we are smiling.
Scene 2. Brewed lots of warm soup, made mugs of fresh squeezed lemon with a dash of boiled ginger and teaspoons of honey, 10mils of Ibuprofen and palliatives; we are still coughing, but fever is down.
Scene 3. A quick retrieval of warranty for the tablet and mummy has to go and see if something can be done about it.
So there it is. All in a days job.
Today, I am thankful for God’s protection and grace over my family.
I am grateful for serenity in chaotic moments.
There is always something to be thankful for. What is your heart grateful for today?
You can join Colline’s or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
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a cooking pot and twisted tales 
