Month: December 2015
2015 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2015 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,800 times in 2015. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.
That Time of the Year
Yippee! It’s that time of the year! There is no doubt, Christmas is the best time of the year for all the right reasons; Holidays, family, food, gifts, decorations, carols and the best part; Christ, who came to save the world!
A friend of mine pointed out that Christmas is overrated. No one really pays attention to the reason for the season. All that matters is what we get ourselves, how much food we get to eat and how we get to spend the holidays and watch the year end. But is Christmas really overrated? Has it completely lost its meaning? Come on! The first six letters in the word say it all. Christ! Without Him, it’s just another mass.
I love Christmas! I love everything about it, including the weather! The harmattan seems to be all over the place, making the morning and nights really chilly. And I love it! Cozying up in the blanket at night watching a Christmas romcom, nibbling on some chocolate… that’s my idea of a perfect night!
I love the time I get to spend with my family. Right now, I’m writing this from the warm couch of my family home in Uyo, Southern Nigeria. It feels so good to be home! Not thinking of work or traffic but just basking in the euphoria of the season.
Then the gifts! Oh my! I just luuuv me some gifts. No doubt, that’s my love language. My grin while unwrapping gifts is out of this world! 😀
Oh yeah, the food! Lots of them! I once said my hometown is known for the amazing dishes and you bet all of them are usually on display then! #CalabarKitchen
I also love putting up the decorations and watching how they light up the house like a city on a hill. The Christmas spirit envelops me like a mail sent via post. It’s incredible!
But my friend’s words keep ringing in my ears. Is this all there is? How about those without food? Those without families? Those who don’t have a home to decorate or gifts to give and receive? It breaks my heart when I think about it.
So instead of sitting in despair, I believe we can open our hearts and hands to these people. Identify people around who don’t have what you do. Give out food, shelter, time, care, money, attention, warm blankets, and everything you can to make sure someone else is happy this Christmas. In so doing, you would be putting a smile on Jesus’ face.
The story of the rich man and Lazarus easily comes to mind (Luke 16:19-31) those who need help may just be at your gates. I pray we recognize them and we bless them as we have been blessed.
Thank you so much for the readership, the encouragement, the comments, criticisms, sharing of the link etc! You guys have been wonderful! God bless you massively this season and keep you to see a better 2016.
This is wishing you a pleasant Christmas and a super duper year ahead!!!
Love you muchos!
Can you hear me?
i
My thoughts are chasing me
Words bellowing
I’m calling.
Can you hear me?
Is there anyone here?
Or is it just me?
I guess its silent night again
I can’t see you
I can’t hear you
Please don’t leave me
Say something- anything!
I need to know you care
Or don’t you?
Please speak…
– © Mfon Etuk, 2015
ii
M: Lately, I feel like you’re so far away. Or maybe more concerned with other pressing issues. I know it’s the enemy’s deception, but sometimes I can’t help it. Doubts crawl into my mind like bugs in an abandoned apartment. I want to believe you’re here, but sometimes it’s so hard to see behind the fog. True though, it’s really foggy outside my window.
G: Go on, I’m listening.
M: I know I’ve pulled back from you. Because I don’t feel you anymore.
G: But what ever happened to leaping in faith? Trusting me to catch you when you fall?
M: You don’t understand! It’s so freaking hard to believe you’re there when everything goes south. Like right now; I’m confused, I’m tired, I’m depressed, I’m lonely and I can’t help myself. Yes, I’ve called on you but I can’t see you reaching out to help me.
G: Are my hands too short that I can’t save you? Or my ears too dull that I can’t hear you? Do you think for a second, that I, who formed the eyes cannot see?
M: It’s overwhelming, Lord.
G: Have the storms killed you? Have the waters drowned you?
M: Honestly, I feel like I’m 6 ft. under the ground everyday- just a walking dead.
G: I would never give you more than you can handle. And you need to remember feelings are but smoke, they fizzle out. You can’t hold on to them for long.
M: I know, Lord. But I’m only human and it’s not my fault that you’ve given me the ability to feel.
G: Now she blames me. Classic human!
M: Please forgive me. I’m just so frustrated. I don’t know what to believe anymore.
G: You’re forgiven. But I have some questions you need to answer.
M: I’m listening, Lord.
G: Have I promised never to leave nor forsake you?
M: Yes you have.
G: Then why do you think I’ve left you for more pressing issues? I’m slightly offended by how little you think of me. Do you really think I need to leave one place to be in another place? What’s your definition of omnipresence?
M: Sighs. I can’t get past my mind trying to figure you the way I figure humans. Please forgive me.
G: I am not a man that I should lie, nor a son of man, that I should change my mind. Do I speak and then not act? Do I promise and not fulfill? Haven’t I said my strength is made perfect in your weakness?
M: I’m despaired, Lord. I was afraid that you had turned your back on me, so I resolved to go my way. Waddling in depression and seeking satisfaction from things that couldn’t satisfy.
G: My thoughts are not your thoughts; your ways are not my ways. As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than yours. What would be the difference between you and I if I have to do things the way you want them to be done?
M: I want your ways, Lord and I repent of my evil ways.
G: Then trust in me with all your heart. Don’t lean on your understanding! The moment you think you’ve got me all figured out is the moment I’ll surprise you. Just believe that I will bring you to that expected end, you don’t need to know how.
M: Yes Lord, I believe. But help my unbelief.
G: Why do you doubt? If I gave you the one thing I cherished the most- my son, what else will I withhold from you?
M: Silence.
G: Need I remind you that NOTHING can separate you from my love?
M: Thank you for loving me.
G: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
M: Thank you Father.
G: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
M: I adore you for you are the God of all comfort who comforts me in my troubles; so that I can comfort others in trouble with the comfort I’ve received from You.
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.- Isaiah 1:18
Bible References:
Isaiah 59:1, Psalm 94:9, Isaiah 55:8-9, Numbers 23:19, Proverbs 3:5, Deut 31:8, John 16:33, Romans 8:38-39, 2 Cor 1:3-4, Isaiah 41:10, Mark 9:24.
Song for the day: Can you hold me by NF ft Britt Nicole.
Think-Thank Challenge, 2015
Happy new month! 😀
Wow! It’s already the last month of the year. This morning on the radio, Christmas carols were playing and it got me so excited! Christmas is already here! Thank God!
I can’t believe 2015 is already rolling out, though. I still feel like I haven’t achieved all I planned for and the year shouldn’t just end like that. But the truth is, I may not be where I want to be, but I am not where I used to be. There’s so much to be thankful for, both good and bad.
Life will always have its ups and downs, highs and lows, sunshine and storms….all in a bid to shape and form us into the best ‘us’ we can be. I know it’s pretty easy to be thankful when everything is working out fine. But we can’t ignore the ‘bad’ stuffs which have actually made us stronger, wiser, and more empathetic to those who are going through what we’ve gone through. Stop and think about the year so far. You’ll find out there is so much to thank God for.
Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is somebody else’s fairy tale- Wale Ayeni
We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude- Cynthia Ozick
The Think-Thank challenge is here again! This time it promises to be more exciting as we are going to do this together for 26 days,(2nd-27th Dec), using all the letters of the English alphabet. Thanks to my friend, Emily from fearfullywonderfullyme, for this fun way of making a thanksgiving list. God bless you!
So here are the rules of the game;
- Post a maximum of 5 different items you’re thankful for, per day (this should not limit you from making a longer list in your notepad of things you’re thankful for)
- Only the specified letter for the day applies (e.g For letter A; I’m thankful for Apples)
- Must mention @writersbrain and use the hashtag #ThinkThankChallenge2015 (for twitter) while on Facebook, you can post on the page Dainty M with the hashtag #ThinkThankChallenge2015
- The person who completes 5 items for all 26 letters will earn our reward!
This promises to be fun! Invite your friends to join in! 😀
Feel free to ask any questions!
© Mfon Etuk, 2015
