Hang Your Bag…The big book of list.

February 19, 2016February 19, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha29 Comments

When La Duchesse Derat started this challenge my thoughts wavered on whether I could cope with adding it to my list , now it’s become a feature I look forward to weekly and this also goes to prove that you can go the extra mile and further if need be.

This week’s TGBOL prompt asking us to make a list of the ‘the words that matter to me‘ is what we refer back home as ‘buying market‘ or ‘inviting the insect infected log,‘ because yours faithfully Jacqueline has a lot to say, but I shall restrict my enthusiasm to 10 quotes.

1. ‘Hang your bag where your hands can reach.’

My parents used this phrase so much *in Igbo language * to teach us how to be contented with what we have and never be greedy for that which belongs to someone else.

They taught us that if you worked hard and with integrity, that yours will come and this is so true.

I can truthfully say that I have never owed for a day in my life because at every point in time even when it requires living the life of minimalism, what I have at that point in time is always enough and I even strive to create surplus from the little bit.

I endeavour never to buy that which I cannot afford to pay for, no matter how beautiful it is and for that, I have peace.

2. ‘For my Grace is sufficient unto the day.

The grace of God is free and belongs to all who seek for it. We all live by grace.’

3.’ As a man thinks in his heart so is he.’

Those things that you dwell on consistently, gradually erodes your mind and heart and becomes you, in the sense that you exhibit them and they control you.

4. ‘Never give up on yourself.’

Even if the World fails you, it’s only over when you fail yourself and stop believing in yourself that’s when it’s really over.

5. ‘For I have not given you the spirit of fear but of love, of power and of sound mind.’ 2 Tim 1:7

6. ‘Dare to dream big for the journey of a thousand miles started with a step, but you need to take that step and keep moving.’

Let your dreams be large. Then take them on. Even if you don’t arrive at that precise goal, you will have a heck of a good time getting there.

7. ‘Be appreciative of the simple things of life and be contented, for there in lies your sense of peace.’

The love from my family and the time spent with them is beyond priceless.

8. ‘Give. Be happy to share out of your bounty as well as your scarcity and you will see even more.’

Giving is not only when you have money in your pocket to hand out. If you do, all the better, but giving starts from the mind. Give of yourself and of the little that you have. Your resources well up and brim over.

9. ‘Be the light that you would like to see shining in others and do unto them as you would like them to do to you.’

10. ‘Be bold and be strong (courageous) for the Lord your God is with you.’ Deut 31:6

Family · Love · Parenting · Poetry/Poems

When Your Child Teaches You. ..

February 7, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha56 Comments

On the day that you wake up
Doubting yourself
On the day that you wake
Wondering if you are doing okay as a parent
On the day that you wake up
Feeling that you suck at being a mother
On the day that you wake up
Worrying if you are raising them right
On the day you wake up confused
Not knowing what the next step should be
On the day that you wake up
Wanting to cry instead of laugh or smile
On the day that you wake up
Huddled and not wanting to climb out
It takes the lovingly made card
Of small hands
The painstaking drawing of hearts and kisses
Of the warm hug and the beautiful words
That sounds like music in your ears
‘Mummy you are the bestest ever!’
‘I made this for you’
For you to learn,
That you are doing well
That you are the bestest, despite your shortcomings
Those words are the turn key
That makes you climb out and wear your smile with joy
To flip pancakes with oodles of syrup
Sniffing and thanking God for these young arms.

Challenges · Family · Parenting · Photographs · Stream of Consciousness Saturday.

With These Fingers…Streams of consciousness Saturday.

February 6, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha48 Comments

It’s quite interesting that Linda’s prompt for SOCS which I just saw is ‘fingers.

Why I find it interesting is that I woke up this morning and as I was going through my Bible, for some reason my eyes fell on my hennaed hands and my first thought was how my hands and fingers resembled my dads own and for the fun of it, I took a picture.

I remember that as a child, I wanted my fingers to look like my mom’s own. Her fingers were dainty and nicely shaped, while mine took after my fathers own.

As the years went by, I grew to love mine as much as I love the man who passed on the genes.

His hands were hardworking and I believe that I inherited this trait. His hands were upright and as honest as could be and he had green fingers. Living things thrived in his care and plants bloomed generously in our garden.

I still remember, maybe I was four or less, his hands holding mine and guiding my fingers to scribble on my blackboard.

I remember vividly like yesterday as he walked me down the aisle and he took my hand with my beautifully painted fingers and placed them in my husband’s hands and in a gruff voice, he instructed my dear Himself to make sure that he looked after me.

Who knows, maybe I might equally have green fingers. I have moved around so much from one country to the other, that the last time I grew anything was several years back in my house in Nigeria. I look forward to the coming years to discover my green fingers.

Hold my hands in faith

And clutch my fingers tight

I will walk you through this journey

For you are not alone.

Family · Life · Love · Parenting · Photographs · Poetry/Poems

Since You’ve Been Gone…

February 5, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha42 Comments

I see you around the corner, the likeness of your eyes in the eyes of a total stranger down the shopping aisle.
It startles me.

I see you in everything that I look around me.
In the random formation of the clouds.
I sometimes see your wise eyes peeking through and winking at me.
It gives me joy.

I hear you in my thoughts. Your words of wisdom, of love, of encouragement
Are etched upon my soul.
They keep me warm.

I hear you in the music. The music that you loved so much, that I grew up knowing that love.
They sounds of music comfort me.

I see you in my little boy’s face. Sometimes, I stare at him so hard, as I seek tell tales of you written in his genetics.
It leaves me amazed.

I see you in the hands of a gardener pruning plants, in the gentle waves of a blooming plant, you loved all things green and they did so well in your hands.
It makes me smile.

I feel you in the drumbeats of my heart, because you are me and I am you. Everyday, my thoughts dwell on you, for in every little thing I see you.

I visualize you looking on from high up and I wish my hands could stretch up so high to give you a hug.
I get some comfort from the warmth of the Sun, telling my mind that you are with me.

In the smile, in the laugh, the stare, the walk, the phrase in a young child’s face.

I catch myself holding one-sided conversations with you and your imagined responses prompt me to sigh, to laugh and to cry.

I see you.
In everything that I am.

To you my dear dad. Always.

Yesterday was World Cancer Day, I lost my dear dad to Cancer two years ago. Sometimes, the pain is just so raw that it clogs my chest and my throat. He was a very lovely human and a fabulous dad. If there is one ailment that I could wish away from the World, it would be Cancer.

To those battling The Big C, may abundant Grace and Strength remain your portion. We will beat it. Blessings.

Life · Little rants · Parenting · The Daily Post

All Fagged Out…

January 2, 2016 jacquelineobyikocha15 Comments

The days float by a bit too fast! Before we can blink, January will pass.

The holiday excitement and adrenaline rush of weeks is down to zilch and now my body is experiencing fatigue and withdrawal syndrome.

All I want to do is to sleep for days to re-calibrate but alas, no such leisure for this mom.

The children resume school tomorrow and my brain is not yet ready for the frenetic bout. Yes, the week starts on Sunday’s in UAE, just in case you wonder.

Come on! The school break is over already! Boo, Hoo, Hoo. I am wailing loud 😦

Anyway, life continues.

I think I will just get some early shut eye.

Nothing like a wee snooze to set things aright.

Tomorrow let the hustle begin.

The Daily Post Write Here, Write Now.

Devotions · Family · Gratitude · Hope · Life · Parenting · Quotes For You

When It All Goes Downside Up….

December 16, 2015December 16, 2015 jacquelineobyikocha25 Comments

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.