Tag: thanksgiving

Gratitude

Unto You O’Lord – Personal

jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

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Let us not forget to appreciate every moment that life brings our way and waste less on sweating the small stuff, because, indeed, we have no idea what the next hour has to bring not to talk about the next day, week or month.

This year has been fraught with many ups and downs, many successes and dashed hopes, but in all situations, we must give thanks and appreciate that which we have at this point in time.

Each day, I am learning that affliction and challenges are bitter parts of life, but the big question is ‘how do we handle these situations?’

How we handle these circumstances determines a lot. Our growth, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically and even financially emanates from our attitude towards the lessons that life brings us.

I have learnt to continue to speak life and positivity even when fear and doubt is digging a hole in my heart.

I’ve learnt to keep proclaiming my spirit of love and of sound mind even when I don’t understand it all and have no answers.

Unto you O’Lord, I give my all.

My heart knows gratitude that we’ve been spared tears of sorrow at this time.

My brother- in-law had a successful brain surgery and is doing well.

It is not my gratitude nor my thanks that purchased his well-being, but for the Grace of God.

Jacqueline

If you wish to participate in a gratitude challenge, there are several gratitude/thankful platforms in the blogosphere that you can tune into and get your ithankful going on. I can’t express in words the enormity of Joy and fulfillment that comes from having a heart of gratitude. Please check out Maria’s blog, Colline’s blog and Bernadette’s for thankful/gratitude challenges.

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Gratitude

TODAY…personal thoughts

jacquelineobyikocha9 Comments

TODAY is bright and the beginning of the rest of my life. Each day is an opportunity to improve on yesterday and I must make myself accountable for each day.

The fragility of human life has grown even more tenuous these days that I wonder if at the hurried rate hatred and violence is eating into the fabric of humanity if people will grow to ripe old age anymore even with the fact that we seem to be more scientifically aware than ever before? I don’t think so! For it does seem that the more we know, the more tenuous life becomes and it brings it home to me that I have to endeavour to live better each day.

I am a firm believer that God inhabits the praise of his people and I see the pep in my steps when I wake each morning and face the rising Sun in thanksgiving. I have compared my grateful heart to my heart that has often sojourned in a labyrinth of dark emotions and I know the better difference.

I have no crystal ball to show me all that may transpire around me before the day is over, all that I am in a position to do, is to accept the Grace and Mercy given and the Will Power to equip myself with mindful, positive truths and reflections to live my life for each day like a prayer.

I am grateful for a conscious heart, mind, good health and the simple things of life because every other thing is just an addition.

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

P.S: There are several gratitude/thankful platforms in the blogosphere that you can tune into and get your ithankful going on. I can’t express in words the enormity of Joy and fulfilment that comes from having a heart of gratitude. Please check out Maria’s blog, Colline’s blog and Bernadette’s for thankful/gratitude challenges.

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Family · Gratitude · Personal

The Spirit Of Doubt…personal

jacquelineobyikocha21 Comments

Waking up with the spirit of doubt trying to invade my mind is not my idea of a fun way to rise in the morning. This spirit of doubt was implanted by events outside my control, which affects a member of my loved and extended family *unfortunately, I can’t disclose nor breach their confidence, but nonetheless, this issue weighs heavily on my mind that I found myself entertaining seeds of fear and worry.

Fear and worry add no value, but rather, they take away from the person inflicted by the noisome presence.

They are like creeping plants that grow so fast and try to smother everything good along the way. I am still a fledgling Christian in the sense that I cannot lay claims of having it all sorted out spiritually, but I am so grateful that I have matured enough in the spirit to always remember that God gave me the spirit of love and of sound mind and not of fear.

It may sound juvenile to some, but please believe me, when I say that I deliberately started recounting the positive things of just the previous days and not only did I drown out the voice of fear and worry, but I experienced such upliftment inside me.

The Spring break is over and we are back to the hustling shift of rising early, school runs and what not. I am so grateful for my children and the beautiful time spent together.

My babies are growing up, enough to slap gooey peanut butter sandwiches together, to flip pancakes and make light breakfast for themselves so that their mother can get a little extra lounge time in bed.

For a beautiful, caring soul in my husband who showed me lots of surprising sweet spots through his concern and ministration to my needs these past few days and brought loads of laughter to my lips.

I am thankful for Grace. Grace not to wilt in the sight of pressure. Grace that has stood by my loved one in their trying times and lest I forget, I am thankful for earning my first 34 cents in this blogging space as well as the sustenance to keep at it and not to lose focus.

A lot of times, life brings temptation that seems quite burdensome, but if we keep our face up, the load will slide off our shoulders.

I hope that you are thankful for something today. You can join Colline’s  or Maria Jansson gratitude challenge platforms.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Image credit: Pixabay

Devotions · Poetry/Poems

As The Tempest Rages…

jacquelineobyikocha26 Comments

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Master, the tempest rages something fierce in some places.
Some lives lost in many cases.
The Earth is yours and the fullness thereof;
Teach us to appreciate that which you have given unto us.
To respect the Nature that surrounds and nurtures us.
Let us live lives of light,
So that when our time here on Earth is done,
We fear not that we perish,
For we would have run a worthy race.
May each day that we rise to embrace the day,
Bring into our hearts the joy of living,
The joy of thanksgiving and gratitude,
The joy of Grace and Care,
And a new beginning.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Devotions · Family · Gratitude · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Life · Love

Across The Seas…

jacquelineobyikocha23 Comments

I am thankful for those celebrating Thanksgiving. I am still waiting for the invite from you, to come over to baste and eat the Turkey, since I am too far away to join the fun, I will simply drool over the photos.

For journey mercies, I thank you Lord. These are no longer days where men set off nonchalantly, undertaking far distance journeys without a thought given to the safety of the journey. Gratitude quote

As I continue to be grateful for the simple things of life, today, I am most grateful for the safe return of my husband from trips across Continents.

Yesterday, close to 10p.m when he was boarding his flight after the usual security checks, he called to tell me that they would soon take off.

We had a little chat and in-between, he started talking about his life insurance scheme (I knew that he was saying that to me, just in case of eventuality, but I did not want to fill my heart and mind with any negative thoughts), I simply said to him, we will talk more about that when you get home and in my heart I silently uttered another word of prayer for mercy and grace to be their guide.

I refuse to let the spirit of present fear dictate the pace of my life because that will simply suck the joy juice out of it.

I choose instead for my mind to remain in the state of praise, thanksgiving and grace, since it is a gift that I can give myself and expend without fear of it finishing irrespective of whatever the situation of things might be.

Have a grateful heart today. I want to thank Colline and Maria Jansson for the gratitude challenge platforms that you both present.

Regards,

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Devotions · Gratitude · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Love · Social Issues

Under His Shadow, We Pray Today…

jacquelineobyikocha11 Comments

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Dear Lord,

May our aching hearts find healing in your presence.

May we rise against the hurt and the destruction,

Which pervades our society today,

So that we can reach for the silver linings hiding in dark clouds.

Grant our minds a sublime state of being,

Where negative spirits of hatred, of distrust,

of aggression and its virulent forces cannot find root.

Let your peace that brings tranquility reign in our lives,

As you cast your shadow of protection over us.

May those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High God

Abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

Amen.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Please just take a moment and listen to the Jim Reeves below. Thank you.

 

Devotions · Family · Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Life

For these beautiful things…..

jacquelineobyikocha21 Comments

Gratitude

Joining Colline’s Gratitude challenge will help me to stay hinged on the blessings that I am surrounded with, no matter how minutiae they may seem.

The song ‘count your blessings and name them one by one,’ plays in my mind as I write this. It will indeed surprise you what the Lord has done!

There is always something to be grateful for and when we are thankful for what we have, it actually makes it enough. Fear disappears and abundance appears!

Our lives may not be perfect, but gratitude bestows reverence on us, changing the perspectives of how we experience Life and the World.

Today, I am simply grateful for the simple things of life.

  • For more in-depth understanding of a word that I have read before and accepted its meaning literally.
    As I was bleary-eyed this morning and trying to have a quick devotion with the children whilst pulling on my canvas as well (multi-tasking Mama) I was trying to explain the concept of Psalm 27.1: ”The Lord is my Light and my Salvation” to my young ones and I floundered a bit, before my light-bulb of understanding came on.
    That our lives could be likened to a very dark house in need of light. We pay our electricity/gas bills so that we may have light supply in our house, but we can still be in that darkness with its cast shadows and monsters lurking and growling at us, if we fail to turn on the switch to let the light shine. We are the ones responsible for turning on the switch and nobody else! For this revelation and explanation to my young ones, I am thankful.’
  • For sustained good health of my family, I am grateful.
  • I am grateful for getting my exercise in today.
  • I am really grateful for a quick power snooze without any perturbing thoughts.
  • For the warm, tasty home-made chilli soup that I indulged in. I am truly thankful. It does not escape my mind that some unfortunate souls are somewhere without warm food or shelter. Not because they love it that way, but because providence found them there.

Take not for granted the little things that makes your life beautiful. Like my people would say, “when you are eating a piece of fruit, think of the person that planted the tree.”

Be happy and kind regards,Gratitude 2

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha

Hope · Inspiration - Motivation · Love · Tips for the day

Your home… a little tip for today.

jacquelineobyikocha5 Comments

20150707_130623Your real home lies within you.
Not the bricks and mortar house of glamor that you reside in.

All painted and glossy with every top of the range appliance that money can buy.

That my friend, is just your physical abode.

Your real home lies within you,

Yet the home within you is neglected, in shambles and in quandary,

That even a stray pet would not want to live in there,

Take care of the real home that lies within you;

Fill it with good things,

A large portion of love,

A fresh harvest of thanksgiving

A handful of forgiveness,

Some tablespoons of honesty,

A jug of faith,

A dash of loyalty,

An ounce of friendship,

Three tablespoons of tenderness,

A whole shake of patience,

One big barrel of laughter

And a large dose of prayer.

Blend it all together, and bake it in the oven of your heart with a pan of Hope until it is well done.

Serve your guests daily with generous portions,
And your real home will definitely gleam with splendor.

© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha