Tag: Life

Experiencing God’s Presence Beyond Worship

I don’t usually speak like this — not because I don’t believe, but because I believe deeply. My struggle isn’t with faith itself, but with how it’s sometimes portrayed; how the church, in its passion to express God’s love, can sometimes end up commercializing what should be sacred and simple.

Lately, that’s been weighing on my heart…

There’s something I haven’t done in a while — just speaking straight from the heart.
Usually, I’d write it all down, but lately, I haven’t had the strength for that. Still, this question has been sitting heavy on my mind, and I don’t want to hold it in any longer. I don’t want to grow cynical about my faith.

So here I am, just putting it out there — hoping that maybe someone will understand what I’m trying to say.

Recently, I was listening to a live worship session. I noticed something that’s always been there. This time, it really struck me. The worship leader said something like, “We’re going to feel the presence of the Lord tonight!”

And I realized how often I hear that phrase — Come and feel the power of God. Come and feel His presence. Experience His love tonight.

It’s everywhere in how gatherings, events, and worship nights are advertised. And it made me pause.

Because sometimes… it feels commercialized.
Almost like we’re trying to sell people an experience — like we’re offering them air, when air is already all around us.

Why do we make it seem like the love or presence of God is something confined to a church building, or a particular atmosphere?
Why can’t we remind people that God’s love can be felt right where they are — in the quiet of a new morning, in good health, in the warmth of family and friends?

Yes, it’s beautiful to gather with others in worship — there’s power and encouragement in community. But we shouldn’t give the impression that that is the only place God’s love resides.

His presence isn’t an event.
It’s existence itself.
Every breath, every sunrise, every moment of peace is proof that His love is still here.

I think we sometimes sensationalize His presence — we turn it into something to be felt rather than lived. But maybe to truly feel the love of God, we also have to love Him in return.

If you don’t carry love for God in your heart, how can you recognize His love when it’s already around you? It’s not that His love arrives only when the music swells or the preacher calls for it — it’s that our hearts finally open to notice it.

Maybe I’m overthinking this. Maybe not.
But it’s something I needed to say — and maybe, someone out there feels the same.

—
(Thank you for reading. If you’ve ever thought about this too, I’d love to hear your perspective.)

I LOVE Coffee… Drink with me.

The Courage to Evolve

This might sound cliché, but I think it takes a lot of bravery to evolve, to make a shift from what you’ve always done and try something entirely different from what you’ve always known. Think of it as embarking on a journey to a strange land all by yourself. The funny part is, you asked for it, desired it, believed 100% that your happiness lies there, and it’s all you’ve ever wanted.

Embarking on an uncertain journey to meet a new you.


So, you get on this journey; all you have and trust is hope. Hope, because you’re uncertain of the roadmaps, you’ve never met that version of you because you’ve never walked that path, so you don’t even know what the outcome will be – and it scares you. But it’s better to do it afraid because staying in a familiar rut will eventually tire you out and sicken you. So, you move… to the version of you you’ve never met.
Whether it’s a career shift, a new relationship, starting a family, or deepening your spiritual walk, growth happens outside your comfort zone. Until you take that leap of faith, you’ll never know your full potential. Yes, it’s daunting, but staying stuck is far worse. Don’t let fear hold you back; instead, let it fuel your courage.

An eagle as a symbol of courage

As someone who is currently navigating this journey, I understand the struggle. But I want you to know that it’s worth it. So, take a deep breath, look in the mirror, and tell yourself, “I can do this.”
Surround yourself with people who believe in you, and most importantly, believe in yourself.
You’ve got this! I’m rooting for you!”

Fair Weather or Forever Friends: Conditional Love

You know how you always scroll and skip through terms and conditions when you first download an application? I think people approach fellow humans like applications. They download, see long terms and conditions, skip the details, click “agree,” and jump right into the goodies within. Then, they exit the moment they need to make payments or deposits, just when they should enjoy the premium package. Making deposits becomes the hard part because you now have to be super intentional about what you want out of that app.

Humans forget that beyond the aesthetics, sweet-smelling perfumes, golden smiles, and stunning outfits, there’s an ugly side to every person you find. So, you approach people thinking they’re flawless like angels. How do you forget they’re humans, too, and just like you, imperfect?
Relationships get better when you’ve weathered storms together. A friend who cannot stay through tough times is a fair-weather person, lacking in loyalty and commitment.

It becomes contradictory when people “agree” in the beginning, only to chicken out and show they never really signed up in the first place or exhibit their ignorance that relationships aren’t a walk in the park. They mask their fears with pragmatism or realism, fearing to stay the course — a fear birthed from lack of faith, perhaps, or an easily influenced or feeble mind.

Personally, I take my time when choosing people, I select those I’m willing to do life with. From the onset, I start out with plans to go the extra mile when the need arises — always! If I can’t stick by you, why then am I in your life? I intend to do long-term with everyone in my life, bearing in mind that if the earth quakes, I will stand with you. My approach might be flawed, and it may seem like I’m setting myself up for heart-wrenching times, but who does life without expecting tough times? When hard times show up, we need people who can hold our hands and say, “I’m willing to stay with you on this one” and mean it to their bones, not throw us under the bus when we need to prove the relationship means something.

Rigged current

Tides of life rise,
with aim to consume.

Stay afloat by ceaseless sculling—
and count self lucky—
from one day to the next.

Tides rise wildly
in the face of a leadership monopoly,
dark skies looming,
illuminated by bureaucratic lightning
and ominous claps of thunder—
a storm making violent the tide.

Swimming blindly,
no reset button in sight,
a cureless malady—
of corrupt statesmen—
with a Get Out of Jail Card-Free.

It’s about Monopoly with a Twist at dVerse!

Click and join in! 😉

#30daysrantchallenge

Sitting in front of her large PC monitor, she is bombarded with viral news—ranging from facts to the alleged. YouTube algorithms feed her digital broadcasts from the West, with content creators on both sides of the divide airing their views—Isaac and Ishmael; Donkey and Elephant; Bear and Trident. War, death, and oppression are the order of the day.

Her many clicks finally bring her home to reality—online echoes of weary youths raising their voices, expressing her homeland’s frustration with a political administration that cares little for its own. Leaders who line their pockets, fattened by greed, entangle themselves in meaningless scandals.

The viral online rant of a young citizen spreads like wildfire, igniting a movement— even the powers that be tried to silence it. The ongoing 30-Day Rant Challenge—watch, listen, and you will hear—there’s a lullaby for suffering.

Dear reader, 

My apologies in advance if my piece carries too much of a political undertone. Today, I am participating in the dVerse challenge -Prosery, Leonard Cohen- while also taking part in an online protest here at home. So please bear with me! 

Besides, you get to know a little about where I'm from... 😉

Happy reading! 😊

Would I look between my legs?

Daily writing prompt
Are you superstitious?
View all responses

Where I come from, there is a belief that if you want to see a ghost, you need only go to a marketplace in the dead of night—bend over and look between your legs, and voilà! You will be visually transported to the realm of wandering souls in the marketplace. This action supposedly even reveals those in the market who are actually of the spirit world—but heaven forbid you are noticed by one of these specters before you get back up… you never get back up.

Now, the first time I heard of this, I shrugged it off with a “Yeah, rrrright!”—but as superstitious a belief as this may be, I would never try it!

Another “cultural” superstition in certain parts of my country is that of the Osu caste system—a traditional practice in Igboland, characterized by social segregation and restrictions on interaction and marriage with a group of individuals known as Osu (Igbo: outcast) (Wikipedia). Igbo families believe that marrying an Osu only brings bad luck and, as a result, they frown upon it. Some families have actually gone as far as disowning their own for doing so.

As an uncle of mine, of Igbo descent, once said when he was asked if he would allow his child to marry someone of such background:

“I count myself to be a modern man, able to see past our local superstitions. But you see, on this matter… no be me start this cultural belief, and so no be me go break am.”

(He is basically saying that he’d rather not question the belief and therefore would not allow his child to marry into such a family.)

Like my uncle, I, too, see myself as one who has risen above superstitious beliefs, and that’s because I won’t dabble in them in the first place—not even when it comes to a lucky rabbit’s foot or itchy palms that supposedly indicate money is on its way.

Chillin’

outside seeking self

yet fazed by gossiping breeze

her voice playing within the leaves and trees

lulling me to sleep

perhaps I will find “self” where her story

takes me…

I am the walrus🎵🎶

Daily writing prompt
Which animal would you compare yourself to and why?
View all responses

“Just kidding! I bear no resemblance to the walrus—just thought I’d entertain you while you’re here. 🙂 I, for one, see myself more as an elephant, and for good reason: An elephant never forgets!

Funny as it may sound, my love for elephants began in my teens. I had watched Disney’s Jungle Book countless times before, but one day, the phrase hit me differently: “An elephant never forgets!” Maybe I was studying for an exam and wanted to embody that persona—who knows? But from that moment, the words and the idea of the elephant stuck with me.

My love for these magnificent creatures only grew when my aunt gifted me a silver waist chain adorned with elephant charms—the most beautiful piece of jewelry I ever owned… until I lost it. After that, I found myself searching for a replacement, and I was drawn to an ankle chain with the same elephant motif. Why the elephant? I wondered. It wasn’t until I wrote My Honey Bee… To My Daughter, a piece about the essence of the honeybee, that I revisited my fascination with elephants.

It turns out elephants are more than just creatures with keen memories. They grieve their dead, symbolize strength and wisdom, and in many cultures, they represent luck, prosperity, and leadership. Among the Ashanti people of West Africa, elephants are believed to be the reincarnated souls of their great leaders... Too much? 🙂

Now, I’m “playing with the idea“ of getting a tattoo—you can probably guess what it will be. 😉

… To me, the elephant embodies peace, wisdom, strength, loyalty, majesty, family, culture, and longevity”- and I am she.

Beast without Burden

From Africa to Asia

with strengths unquestioned

To my younger self…

Daily writing prompt
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success?
View all responses

To my younger self: That dream came true. You are a single woman…

Looking back, the desire for connection, a soulmate, and that fairytale happy ending B.S. only led to drama and smoke screens. Most scenes ended with the classic “It’s not you, it’s me” speech—wrong frequencies of tribe, class, or religion.

I sure could pick them, right? 🙂

This cycle ran from my 20s through my mid-30s. And then, I met her. We crossed paths just as I was about to check into heartbreak hotel once again—well, not so much heartbreak this time, as I had already given up on the relationship and was ready to walk away. And then she appeared, full of beauty and charm, completely enchanting me.

The first time I told my mom about her, she said something profound:
“You’ve spent all this time running through failed love stories. Now she’s here, and you have the perfect chance at love. I pray you do right by her.”

That was the moment I realized—my past wasn’t a curse. It was a path leading me to my true love story.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned—among the many lessons she has brought into my life—it’s the discipline of loving myself first and enough. That way, even when love isn’t reciprocated, I remain whole. I am good enough for me—strong enough to know I deserve better and wise enough to move the hell on.

To my younger self: That dream came true. You are a single woman… and the proud mother of the most incredible 8-year-old—the kind of love money could never buy. ❤️❤️❤️❤️