What Happened To Us?
About a couple of years ago I was watching TV with my son who was five (5) years old at the time. He’s into cars and he likes fast cars or monster trucks and he spends most of his TV time watching them. On this particular day I sat next to him and he immediately pointed to the car on the screen and said “Mom, I’ll buy one when I grow up and you will sit on the front seat next to me.” I looked at the car and it was a Lamborghini so I remarked to him that “Samuel, that's a very expensive car…” and without even blinking he said, “yeah I'll buy one. I have some money in my piggy bank.”
I smiled to myself. Wow! He really does have some dollars in his piggy bank and he thinks that money is enough to buy a Lamborghini so he can put his mother in the front seat. A child’s faith is just so beautiful to experience. He did not even care how much it cost.
It reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 18:3, where Jesus states, "truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven," emphasizing the importance of humility and a childlike faith in entering God's kingdom. I wonder what happened to us because I do believe that at some point in my life, I also felt that faith. I was just amazed how my son did not blink and didn't care how much the car costs. He’s convinced in his mind that one day he'll buy it and put his mother in the front because he likes the car. Unfortunately I was the one who was putting doubt in his mind because I thought I was an extremely expensive vehicle.
So what really happened to us while we're growing up? I think life just happened but maybe, just maybe, if we can have a child’s faith again to believe that everything is possible, I think ALL THINGS will be possible for us.
I pray for you this week that you go back to the faith that you had as a child when you believed that you can accomplish anything you set your mind to. Do not let life happen to you in such a way that you start doubting yourself or God. May the Lord himself empower you with the spirit of faith. I declare it is done and so it is in Jesus name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
Iron And Iron
Proverbs 27:17
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." – Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
The scripture above is a well quoted one by many and it highlights the importance of relationships in personal and spiritual growth. Just as iron tools become sharper through friction with another piece of iron, we, too, grow and improve through interactions with others. This is a powerful reminder of the role that community, accountability, and mutual encouragement play in our lives.
I’ve also shared that you can be good on your own, do well and exist just fine but you can be better with the right person or circle of people in your life. The right people in and around your life will challenge you, hold you accountable, inspire you, motivate you, support you and encourage you. When you’re in the wrong, they can even admonish you in love and still be your cheerleader. So my assignment for you this week is this: take an inventory of the person or people in your life and determine if they are iron or rubber? If they are not iron, find some iron men and women to add to your circle because they come with great benefits.
I pray for you this week that the good Lord will grant you favor with the right people to grow you in every area of your life. It is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
A Woman’s Wisdom And Strategy
As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, to recognize and celebrate women's social, economic, cultural, and political achievements, I wanted to highlight an unnamed woman from Abel-Beth-Maacah, a city Joab, the commander of King David’s army, was besieging. Her story which is found in 2 Samuel 20, teaches us how intelligence and diplomacy can triumph over conflict and destruction.
As her city trembled under the attack, she called for Joab and spoke with him directly. Instead of responding with fear, she used wisdom and negotiation to resolve the crisis, reminding Joab that Abel-Beth-Maacah was known as a city of wisdom and peace (2 Samuel 20:18). By doing this, she appealed to his sense of reason rather than escalating hostility. This forced the army commander to rethink his approach. She further offered a peaceful solution, proposing a compromise on each end — instead of destroying the entire city, they would simply hand over Sheba, the true culprit. This woman took action by relaying Joab’s demand to her people, who quickly executed Sheba and threw his head over the wall to Joab. With the rebellion crushed, Joab withdrew his army, and her city was saved.
My charge to all of us is this, let us invest in nurturing women in Christ to become forces in our societies. A wise woman can birth great nations and communities, filled with peace and love. Despite being women in male-dominated societies, our wisdom and good leadership can turn the tide of history and save many.
Wishing every woman out there a Happy International Women’s day and let us use this opportunity to make a positive difference in our communities with God being our helper.
XOXO,
Lady Abena