EROInspirations

The Sack Letter

2012-05-14T09:48:00.000+01:00

October 2011. I was in the general office when my manager called a colleague and I out to a secluded area. She handed us a letter. As I opened mine, it read, “your services are no longer required by the organization…”. My colleague also had a similar letter. I was shocked. I called my husband and told him. He said it must have been a mistake. I told God that if it was His will then it should be done. That I would pursue other interests. But I got a nudge in my spirit that I should speak to my mother.

Then I woke up. It was all a dream. But I was sweating, cold and scared. I knew from experience that my organization could “right-size” at any time. If they did and they did not find me relevant at that time, I could be affected by the “right-sizing”. I woke my husband up and told him, “I just dreamt that I was sacked!” He shook his head and sighed. “Go back to sleep. Stop worrying. You cannot be sacked.”

His words were not encouraging at all. Not for me who knows how to worry. Then I remembered that in the dream I had a nudge to speak to my mother. It was 5am. I called her and expressed my fears. I told her if it was God’s will, I will accept it because there must be other things He wanted me to focus on. But she said, “you know what, let us pray about it. Both of you will receive letters, but it will be promotion letters!” Then we prayed and closed the matter.

November 2011. I got to work like any other work day. Around 2pm my main manager came to my office and called all those that report to him into a room. He said, “something has come up. There’s been some reorganization. You will hear it in the webcast that is about to take place…” My mind quickly went to the dream. That is how I attended the webcast only to hear that effective January 1st 2012, my job function will cease to exist in the organization. Provision for new jobs had been made for others with job functions similar as mine. There I was without a job effective January 1st. The timing of the announcement was not favorable for me because it was close to December. Organizations don’t often recruit then. Then I began to worry. I was also desperate at that time and was looking to do anything so as not to be fired. But all doors seemed to be closed towards me. December entered January. January to February. I heard there was a position they had for me that I would resume effective March. March came and went, no letter.

While waiting, I realized that I needed to pursue my interests. I realized that the job may not always be there but what was unique to me will always remain. My passion to write had not died but I had to awaken it from sleep. I decided to review my novel “Against The Perfect Will”. It was then I made all effort to get it published. Within 2 months, the book was published.

It was as though God wanted me to get that book published because it was only after then did a letter show up. This occurred in April. It came with a promotion but did not meet all the terms that I expected. At this point, I was no longer desperate. If they did not accept my terms, I was ready to pursue writing full time.

Well, to cut the long story short, by end of April I received a letter that came with a promotion, exceeded my expectations, and it was for a job that I am totally passionate about. I am too thankful to God for His faithfulness.

Lessons Learnt:-

1. “Bad” dreams do not always have to happen as dreamt. Prayer can help to change the course of negative things that want to happen.

2. A delay does not mean denial. God is always working behind the scenes in our favor, if we let Him.

3. While waiting on God, there are things He would like us to do. Let us not be too overwhelmed by our situation to ignore what He wants us to do.

I lift up anyone who is experiencing delays in a prayer that is already answered. May the physical manifestation of your answered prayer come very quickly and may all forces delaying your answered prayer let go immediately, in Jesus name, Amen.

Note: The other guy went through similar challenges but got his promotion January 2012. Thank God for prayers.

Mr. Rita said he believes I am very valuable and hence cannot be sacked, that is why he did not worry. SMH. Now that I look back, I realize that there was no need to worry. But then, I am human :-)

Thank you to Jhazmyn, Enkay, Writefreak and Chacha for lifting me up in prayer when I was tired of praying. God bless you.

Comments

thanks be to God for his mercies.... God is indeed... by Priscyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638580960899607152noreply@blogger.com
!I wait for thy salvation, O Jehovah", Gen 49... by David C Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08891468618584742601noreply@blogger.com
Thank God for you. If only we could see far, we wo... by @ilolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18034184376612190658noreply@blogger.com
Congratulations ma. Awesome testimony! MeLike! - ... by SAMUEL EKUNDAYOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898844588434855654noreply@blogger.com
God is GOOODDDD!!!!! I'm so happy for you Rit... by Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063729360732047180noreply@blogger.com
Plus 14 more...

Should I Forgive Him?

2012-04-24T13:13:00.000+01:00

There was this day Mr. Rita annoyed me. I was to go to class for a small test and I needed to be there on time. I asked him to drop baby in her day care so I could catch the bus. He said no (because I woke up late). Long and short of it, I went late and I missed the test. It pained me well well. I did not understand anything they were teaching in class that day. I had to send him looooong text telling him how hurt I was and how I will never forgive him. Infact, I did not want to see him for 1 month. But when I returned from class, he met me at the door and said "I'm sorry." With his arms wide open and that his handsome face, who was I not to melt and run into his loving arms. And by God's grace, I have forgiven him and forgotten (lol) about the incident.

But then I asked him, "what happens after I have forgiven you 70 X 7 times? Does it mean I am free not to forgive you any longer?"

And then he shared with me a story...

Long Post Alert!!!

Lisa sat on the floor of her old room, staring at the box that lay in front of her. It was an old shoe box that she had decorated to become a memory box many years before. Stickers and penciled flowers covered the top and sides. Its edges were worn, the corners of the lid taped so as to keep their shape.
It had been three years since Lisa last opened the box. A sudden move to Boston had kept her from packing it. But now that she was back home, she took the time to look again at the memories.
Fingering the corners of the box and stroking its cover, Lisa pictured in her mind what was inside.
There was a photo of the family trip to the Grand Canyon, a note from her friend telling her that Nick Bicotti liked her, and the Indian arrowhead she had found while on her senior class trip. One by one, she remembered the items in the box, lingering over the sweetest, until she came to the last and only painful memory. She knew what it looked like--a single sheet of paper upon which lines had been drawn to form boxes, 490 of them to be exact. And each box contained a check mark, one for each time.
The story behind it..........
"How many times must I forgive my brother?" the disciple Peter had asked Jesus. "Seven times?" Lisa's Sunday school teacher had read Jesus' surprise answer to the class. "Seventy times seven."
Lisa had leaned over to her brother Brent as the teacher continued reading. "How many times is that?" she whispered. Brent, though two years younger, was smarter than she was.
"Four hundred and ninety," Brent wrote on the corner of his Sunday school paper. Lisa saw the message, nodded, and sat back in her chair. She watched her brother as the lesson continued. He was small for his age, with narrow shoulders and short arms. His glasses were too large for his face, and his hair always matted in swirls. He bordered on being a nerd, but his incredible skills at everything, especially music, made him popular with his classmates.
Brent had learned to play the piano at age four, the clarinet at age seven, and had just begun to play oboe. His music teachers said he'd be a famous musician someday. There was only one thing at which Lisa was better than Brent--basketball. They played it almost every afternoon after school.
Brent could have refused to play, but he knew that it was Lisa's only joy in the midst of her struggles to get C's and D's at school.
Lisa's attention came back to her Sunday school teacher as the woman finished the lesson and closed with prayer. That same Sunday afternoon found brother and sister playing basketball in the driveway. It was then that the counting had begun. Brent was guarding Lisa as she dribbled toward the basket. He had tried to bat the ball away, got his face near her elbow, and took a shot on the chin. "Ow!", he cried out and turned away.
Lisa saw her opening and drove to the basket, making an easy lay-up. She gloated over her success but stopped when she saw Brent. "You okay?",she asked. Brent shrugged his shoulders.
"Sorry," Lisa said. "Really. It was a cheap shot."
"It's all right. I forgive you," he said. A thin smile then formed on his face. "Just 489 more times though."
"Whaddaya mean?" Lisa asked.
"You know...what we learned in Sunday school today. You're supposed to forgive someone 490 times. I just forgave you, so now you have 489 left," he kidded. The two of them laughed at the thought of keeping track of every time Lisa had done something to Brent. They were sure she had gone past 490 long ago.
The rain interrupted their game, and the two moved indoors. "Wanna play Battleship?" Lisa asked. Brent agreed, and they were soon on the floor of the living room with their game boards in front of them. Each took turns calling out a letter and number combination, hoping to hit each other's ships.
Lisa knew she was in trouble as the game went on. Brent had only lost one ship out of five. Lisa had lost three. Desperate to win, she found herself leaning over the edge of Brent's barrier ever so slightly. She was thus able to see where Brent had placed two of his ships. She quickly evened the score.
Pleased, Lisa searched once more for the location of the last two ships. She peered over the barrier again, but this time Brent caught her in the act. "Hey, you're cheating!" He stared at her in disbelief.
Lisa's face turned red. Her lips quivered. "I'm sorry," she said, staring at the carpet. There was not much Brent could say. He knew Lisa sometimes did things like this. He felt sorry that Lisa found so few things she could do well. It was wrong for her to cheat, but he knew the temptation was hard for her.
"Okay, I forgive you," Brent said. Then he added with a small laugh, "I guess it's down to 488 now, huh?"
"Yeah, I guess so." She returned his kindness with a weak smile and added, "Thanks for being my brother, Brent."
Brent's forgiving spirit gripped Lisa, and she wanted him to know how sorry she was. It was that evening that she had made the chart with the 490 boxes. She showed it to him before he went to bed.
"We can keep track of every time I mess up and you forgive me," she said. "See, I'll put a check in each box--like this." She placed two marks in the upper left-hand boxes.
"These are for today." Brent raised his hands to protest. "You don't need to keep--"
"Yes I do!" Lisa interrupted. "You're always forgiving me, and I want to keep track. Just let me do this!" She went back to her room and tacked the chart to her bulletin board.
There were many opportunities to fill in the chart in the years that followed. She once told the kids at school that Brent talked in his sleep and called out Rhonda Hill's name, even though it wasn't true. The teasing caused Brent days and days of misery. When she realized how cruel she had been, Lisa apologized sincerely. That night she marked box number 96. Forgiveness number 211 came in the tenth grade when Lisa failed to bring home his English book. Brent had stayed home sick that day and had asked her to bring it so he could study for a quiz. She forgot and he got a C.
Number 393 was for lost keys...418 for the extra bleach she put in the washer, which ruined his favorite polo shirt...449, the dent she had put in his car when she had borrowed it.
There was a small ceremony when Lisa checked number 490. She used a gold pen for the check mark, had Brent sign the chart, and then placed it in her memory box.
"I guess that's the end," Lisa said. "No more screw-ups from me anymore!"
Brent just laughed. "Yeah, right."
Number 491 was just another one of Lisa's careless mistakes, but its hurt lasted a lifetime. Brent had become all that his music teachers said he would. Few could play the oboe better than he. In his fourth year at the best music school in the United States, he received the opportunity of a lifetime--a chance to try out for New York City's great orchestra.
The tryout would be held sometime during the following two weeks. It would be the fulfillment of his young dreams. But he never got the chance. Brent had been out when the call about the tryout came to the house. Lisa was the only one home and on her way out the door, eager to get to work on time. "Two-thirty on the tenth," the secretary said on the phone. Lisa did not have a pen, but she told herself that she could remember it. "Got it. Thanks." I can remember that, she thought. But she did not. It was a week later around the dinner table that Lisa realized her mistake. "So, Brent," his mom asked him, "When do you try out?" "Don't know yet. They're supposed to call." Lisa froze in her seat. "Oh, no!" she blurted out loud. "What's today's date? Quick!" "It's the twelfth," her dad answered. "Why?" A terrible pain ripped through Lisa's heart. She buried her face in her hands, crying. "Lisa, what's the matter?" her mother asked. Through sobs Lisa explained what had happened. "It was two days ago...the tryout...two-thirty...the call came...last week." Brent sat back in his chair, not believing Lisa. "Is this one of your jokes, sis?" he asked, though he could tell her misery was real. She shook her head, still unable to look at him. "Then I really missed it?" She nodded. Brent ran out of the kitchen without a word. He did not come out of his room the rest of the evening. Lisa tried once to knock on the door, but she could not face him. She went to her room where she cried bitterly. Suddenly she knew that she had to do. She had ruined Brent's life. He could never forgive her for that. She had failed her family, and there was nothing to do but to leave home. Lisa packed her pickup truck in the middle of the night and left a note behind, telling her folks she'd be all right. She began writing a note to Brent, but her words sounded empty to her. Nothing I say could make a difference anyway, she thought. Two days later she got a job as a waitress in Boston. She found an apartment not too far from the restaurant. Her parents tried many times to reach her, but Lisa ignored their letters. "It's too late," she wrote them once. "I've ruined Brent's life, and I'm not coming back." Lisa did not think she would ever see home again. But one day in the restaurant where she worked she saw a face she knew. "Lisa!" said Mrs. Nelson, looking up from her plate. "What a surprise." The woman was a friend of Lisa's family from back home. "I was so sorry to hear about your brother," Mrs. Nelson said softly. "Such a terrible accident. But we can be thankful that he died quickly. He didn't suffer." Lisa stared at the woman in shock. "Wh-hat," she finally stammered. It couldn't be! Her brother? Dead? The woman quickly saw that Lisa did not know about the accident. She told the girl the sad story of the speeding car, the rush to the hospital, the doctors working over Brent. But all they could do was not enough to save him. Lisa returned home that afternoon. Now she found herself in her room thinking about her brother as she held the small box that held some of her memories of him. Sadly, she opened the box and peered inside. It was as she remembered, except for one item--Brent's chart. It was not there. In its place, at the bottom of the box, was an envelope. Her hands shook as she tore it open and removed a letter. The first page read: Dear Lisa, It was you who kept count, not me. But if you're stubborn enough to keep count, use the new chart I've made for you. Love, Brent Lisa turned to the second page where she found a chart just like the one she had made as a child, but on this one the lines were drawn in perfect precision. And unlike the chart she had kept, there was but one check mark in the upper left- hand corner. Written in red felt tip pen over the entire page were the words: "Number 491. Forgiven, forever."

(Taken from The Lift of Laugh & Lift for February 12, 2012)

Remain blessed...

Comments

Oh wow! This got me all teary eye. My pastor once ... by doshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08405688223583090463noreply@blogger.com
Ok, 'm really crying. Beautiful message in her... by Joy Ajuziehttps://www.facebook.comnoreply@blogger.com
wow...that gave me all sorts of feelings inside. S... by Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10126796793396642790noreply@blogger.com
I almost cried reading this story by ~Sirius~http://www.blogger.com/profile/14771610618431377950noreply@blogger.com
nice story, deep stuff. thanks Rita! by Priscyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13638580960899607152noreply@blogger.com
Plus 10 more...

What Inspired My Novel "Against The Perfect Will"

2012-04-20T11:01:00.002+01:00

As I lay on the bed that day, shivering and feeling my body parts get numb in stages, I could not help but think about my life and how it seemed it was coming to an end prematurely. So my life would soon end, I wondered. What will I explain to my maker? That I mistakenly took an overdose of expired Ampiclox and that was why my life was cut short? A mistake? Pathetic!

My mother and siblings surrounded me, trying to understand what I was going through. How could I explain this strange thing happening to me? My legs were numb now and lifeless. The numbness had started getting to my arms and back. I know the moment it gets to my ribs and heart, I would be gone. My family was hoping I could endure until morning (only 3 hours away but it seemed like a year away) so that they could take me to the hospital. I was quite pessimistic. I started talking about my preferences for a burial.

As I closed my eyes and awaited the next stage of the numbness that should finally affect my ribs and heart, I had a discussion with my maker.

"So you mean that I can die just before I defend my final year project? All my hardwork, sleepless nights, 6 years in school and I will not see the logical conclusion?" I asked Him.

"If someone makes the wrong decision, no matter how small it may seem, it can affect his or her whole life forever, in some cases even cutting short his/her life," He replied.

"Hmmm, I wish people knew about this."

"Yes they will know about it. You will tell them." His words were firm.

"Me? That is if I get to heaven when this Ampiclox overdose thing finishes me," I replied.

(As I look back, I can imagine that He must have laughed with my statement)

"Go and drink water, my daughter," He instructed me.

"Water?"

"Yes, water and lots of it!"

It was not as though there was any other thing to do. I could lay on that bed moaning and awaiting death. Or I could drink water and see what happens.

“Water”, I muttered. “Big bottle of water!”

One of my sisters hurried to get me water. I finished 1.5litres in no time and continued laying on the bed. The numbness continued and affected my ribs then stopped. I remained on the bed waiting for the next wave of numbness that would numb my heart.

Suddenly, I felt a strong urge to urinate (of course). My siblings took me to the toilet. When I urinated (a very long urination for that matter), the whole house was filled with a strong smell of Ampiclox. When I got back to the bed to lay down, I realized that the numbness had left my ribs. Slowly, the numbness started leaving my body (in the reverse order in which it came). By morning, my whole body was back to normal. No one would have imagined what we passed through that night.

So, while waiting to defend my undergraduate project, I began to write the story “Against The Perfect Will”. Today, 10 years later, it has been published to the glory of God. In order not to make this a long post, I will save the synopsis for a later time (maybe just before the book launch). But please join me in thanking God for His inspirations, for the privilege of using me to send a message, and for making everything beautiful in its own time.

Against The Perfect Will is on ground in preparation for the book launch (date to be confirmed). But you can get a copy from the following links:

AMAZON (US)

AMAZON (UK)

BARNES & NOBLE

Word Association Publishers

Please feel free to visit EROInspirations facebook page and like it to be updated with the plans and progress of "Against The Perfect Will", to read and receive inspirational articles from EROInspirations, and to receive encouraging quotes and messages from the Word of God.

Remain blessed.

(PS: If you are in Nigeria and interested in getting a hardcopy of the book, please send me an email at esurunma@gmail.com and we can get talking...).

Comments

This your story of a near death experience just pe... by Olufunkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05850004967970062954noreply@blogger.com
Congratulations. by Okeoghenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06374233345612835685noreply@blogger.com
Wow, what an amazing testimony! God is indeed fait... by Blessinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00063729360732047180noreply@blogger.com
Newest follower, and i hope you come visit me back... by Mayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13844052609644435086noreply@blogger.com
May we all fulfil our purpose for being :), Congra... by jhazmynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00937354854181520677noreply@blogger.com
Plus 3 more...

The Refiner At Work

2012-04-16T09:06:00.000+01:00

The fastest growth I have experienced in my Christian walk were always during "low" periods in my life. Like when I was waiting on God for a husband. That what when I learnt about God, learnt about His values, learnt that the best way for me to learn the bible is through study, and generally learnt about the value of mixing with the "brethren". When I was waiting on God for the fruit of the womb, that was when I learnt how to pray, I improved my worship style, and I learnt the importance of making out time for God. Now when I see someone going through a challenge and the person has chosen to walk with God, I know there is no way that person will not come out changed and a much better person. I know what the refiner can do...

A refiner is a specially skilled person who removes impurities or other unwanted matter from something (or in this context - someone). He knows the right temperature at which the unwanted matter will be removed. He sets and watches to ensure the refining process is done effectively. He knows when all the impurities are gone because HE IS ABLE TO SEE HIS IMAGE CLEARLY on what he is refining.

There are times when God allows us to pass through a fire in order that He may refine us, purify us, and bring out the best in us. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver [Malachi 3:3a, NIV]. God "sits" as a refiner and purifier. He does not see us in the fire and walk away. He does not let the fire get too hot (that we may be burned) or get too cold (that we may not come out refined as He intended). He "sits", watching closely and keeping the temperature right. What others may think would destroy us would make us stronger and much better people - if we allow God. And when He is done, everyone, including Himself, can see an image on Him in us.

This scripture is consistent with His promises. He said, "When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze" [Isaiah 43:2]. We know that "the trials in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the trial to be more than you can stand. When you are tried, He will show you a way out so that you can endure" [1Corinthians 10:13].

No matter what you go through, be rest assured that your loving Father is with you, watching, and ensuring that the situation does not burn you. In the midst of the situation, ask Him to show you what impurities He wants to remove or what characteristics He wants to bring out of you. His plans for you are always good - plans to give you the future you hope for.

May you feel an added sense of God's presence today and always.

Remain blessed...

[Post taken from "From The Heart Of A Loving Father - When The Refiner is at Work"]

Comments

Can there be any mistake in the work of the great ... by Online Shopping Nigeriahttp://www.nigerianbusinesslinks.com/marketplace/noreply@blogger.com
This rings perfectly true and was a great reminder... by Good Naija Girlhttp://goodnaijagirl.comnoreply@blogger.com
Lovely post. Thanks 4 taking a peek @ my blog. by livelifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02922666932032430471noreply@blogger.com
Dearest sister thanks for the encouraging words,I ... by Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com
Yes ma! I hear! I was watching a movie recently an... by SAMUEL EKUNDAYOhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07898844588434855654noreply@blogger.com
Plus 8 more...

Four Years And Counting

2012-04-12T09:24:00.001+01:00

It's been four years of being married...
...Married to the most beautiful man on earth
He is not perfect, neither am I,
But, the guy try.
When I see the way he understands and manages me, I just know it is only God that could have given me such a husband.
Then today, he gave me a card and wrote the words "Without a doubt, I truly made an excellent choice..."
As if he knew that secretly I had been fighting inferiority complex after I realized some people felt I was not "good" enough for him considering my past. His words really made my day and have destroyed the last shreds of inferiority complex.

I thank God for these four years and pray for four hundred more years with him. May God bless him abundantly. May God continue to remain the head of our home.

And the sweetest part is...

Today is his birthday. Please join me in saying happy birthday to Mr. Rita. Double wishes for him today!!!

Comments

A little late perhaps, but happy birthday to him. by Azuka Okuleyehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09103198528329959203noreply@blogger.com
I cant believe I didnt find your blog already.. se... by Daughter of Her Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13153158836293987110noreply@blogger.com
Congrats! Many more beautiful years together... by Ema Leecioushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03073712989459399826noreply@blogger.com
lol @ Mr. Rita I'm sincerely happy for you an... by doshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08405688223583090463noreply@blogger.com
Happy Birthday to Mr Rita and happy anniversary!!!... by Sisi Yemmie ™http://www.blogger.com/profile/15350113579849499656noreply@blogger.com
Plus 17 more...

He Cares About Every Detail

2012-04-09T11:14:00.000+01:00

I like it when I receive an apt word of encouragement, especially when I am waiting on God and I have alot of questions. I was reading the bible when I stumbled upon "The LORD your God will drive those nations out ahead of you little by little..."[Deuteronomy 7:22a, NLT]. I was concerned. We are speaking of a God who can wipe out a nation in one second. We are speaking of a God who had parted the seas, and had provided manna and quail for His people. I wondered, why couldn't He drive out those nations in one go to enable the Israelites have rest once and for all?

The verse went on as follows: "...You will not clear them away all at once, otherwise the wild animals would multiply too quickly for you..." That was when it all began to make sense. Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save. He was more than able to drive out the nations ahead of the Israelites,but He did not. In His love, wisdom and foresight, He did it little by litttle. God cared so much for His people that He did not drive out the nations occupying the promised land all at once knowing that if He did that, the wild animals would grow in number and would threaten the safety and livelihood of His people.

There are some times when you may wonder why God is allowing a challenge to remain. You might be wondering why there are delays in seeing the physical manifestation of the answers to your prayers. It could be a small or a big issue, but you know God can handle it in one second if He chooses to, yet He has not done so. The passage today is a reminder that God cares about the details of our lives. He does not want the presence of the "wild animals" to interfer with the promised land, nay, the answer to the prayer we have brought before Him.

Do you desire something that God has not given? Are you praying yet it seems God has not answered? God has a perfect timing and may be concerned about the "wild animals", such as unforgiveness, unresolved issues of the past, self condemnation, double-mindedness, or some area of your life He needs to refine. Or He just may be waiting for the appointed time when the testimony will be ripe, while blessing you in preparation. But no matter what may be the cause of the delay, He loves you and cares about every detail of your life. And He will not give you more than you can bear.

Remain blessed.

Comments

Thank you by Okeoghenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06374233345612835685noreply@blogger.com
Thank you so much for sharing :) by Unveilinggoldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00208645254281349023noreply@blogger.com
Nicely written and explained. He definitely takes ... by Uzezihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11907709431101967094noreply@blogger.com
Bless your heart Rita, talk about word in due seas... by jhazmynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00937354854181520677noreply@blogger.com
Thank you for this encouraging post Rita.... God b... by 1 + The Onehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17862248548780032609noreply@blogger.com
Plus 5 more...

A Time To Be Born

2012-04-03T21:37:00.000+01:00

I received THIS today and could not help but share with my blogger family, THIS being the cover of my novel!!! I was so excited yet had tears fill my eyes. I never knew that one day, "Against the Perfect Will", written 10 years ago will be in print (and on Kindle and on ipad :-)).

This is just to give you a heads up. The novel is currently being printed. Would let you know as soon as you can grab your copy. Details and more details to come.

He makes everything beautiful in its own time...

(This partly explains my hiatus...)

Comments

I am sooooo proud of you dearest, as you know im y... by Sophiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08695283429475376126noreply@blogger.com
@1 + The One:- Thank you so much luv, really appre... by Ritahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13202972020876371306noreply@blogger.com
Congratulations...my heart is filled with joy for ... by 'Larahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15028561658576923679noreply@blogger.com
Awww, Rita, such a beautiful cover. I will be wait... by Patrina's Pencilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08103800317102189590noreply@blogger.com
It looks just great! Can't wait to get a copy!... by Myne Whitmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07595087387069634003noreply@blogger.com
Plus 18 more...

The Unburdening

2012-03-12T10:12:00.000+01:00

The abortions had occurred when I was not a Christian so I never gave it much thought. But when I had given my life to Christ, I realized how grave my actions were. Born or unborn, it was a life like mine I had taken.

I had confessed this sin to God and asked for forgiveness. I buried the matter and moved on with my life. Then I got married. After the first year and I did not take in, my mind went back to the abortions. Probably the last one destroyed my womb, I thought. Or maybe God was finally punishing me for my sins. READ ON HERE

He Who Began A Good Work

2011-12-26T03:52:00.000+01:00

The story of the Shunammite woman whose son was restored to life speaks about the God you serve. You can find the full story at 2 Kings 4:8-37. The hospitality of the woman had been rewarded with a son – the deep, secret desire of her heart. Some years later, her son falls sick and dies. Consider for a moment how she could have felt. She could have said, “God why did you give me this child, make me feel joy for a fleeting moment, and leave me in great pain and sorrow?” Or it would be understandable if she said, “God you should have left me barren for the loss of a child is more painful than being named barren.” But no, she did not waste time on negative confessions...read on HERE...

Matchmakers

2011-11-19T07:36:00.000+01:00

Hmmm...my website is not working the way I want it to and it is not motivating me to write...then I remembered old faithful blogger. Let me share the latest post here and maybe plan to go back to blogger :-)

Machmaking- most of us do it without knowing. As I mused over a recent matchmaking that was making me excited, I was made to imagine what could have been going on in Naomi’s mind when she advised Ruth. She knew Boaz was a close relative (Ruth 2:20b) and a kinsman-redeemer. The idea of a kinsman redeemer in Old Testament times was to help someone in poverty who was unable to redeem their inheritance and redeem his relatives from slavery. The kinsman redeemer could also preserve the family line of a deceased male relative by marrying his widow and providing an heir (Deut. 25:5-6).

I am thinking that Naomi would have been wishing for Ruth to be compensated for her loyalty. I am sure Naomi would have observed a few things during the 2 months Ruth spent gleaning Boaz’s field. I can imagine that every day Ruth returned from the field, she would have told Naomi something about how well she was treated or the kind of favor she received from Boaz. I am sure Naomi would have desired the best for Ruth, and would have put in some effort to see the relationship between Boaz and Ruth take another level.

The Fortune Teller

2011-08-01T09:00:00.003+01:00

It was my turn. As I entered the tent that night and shut the world behind me, I faced with great expectations the fortuneteller on whom I had placed all my hope. My problems were getting the better of me. Whatever she said was going to determine my next course of action – to hope for the best or to end my life...Read on Here...

When You Feel God Is Not Near

2011-06-02T14:42:00.000+01:00

It was one of the most challenging tasks I had been given. Mother returned from work by 3pm and said she was hungry. I had been home playing with my baby brother, waiting for Mother to come home and make lunch. Next thing she said, “Prepare rice and stew for the house, and bring mine to my room!”

“Me?” I asked, totally confused and not sure I heard well.

“Yes you,” she replied both in anger and irritation. “How can I have a daughter as old as you, and I come back tired from work to start cooking lunch?” That was all. She went to her room and I was left to prepare lunch... Read on HERE

God Is Still Writing Love Stories

2011-05-24T16:00:00.000+01:00

This testimony on God coming through for the lady in waiting makes me so mushy as I think on how faithful He is. Read Nneka's testimony on her experience as she waited on our romantic Father for her Boaz...

My testimony was inspired during the last testimony service in 2007 at The Carpenter’s Church (TCC). I recall a truly beautiful testimony service as one by one, the testifiers told us of how God performed one miracle and the other in their lives.

As the service drew to an end, I looked around the auditorium at the faces of God’s people rejoicing with others even when it was obvious that they all had one thing or the other they were also trusting and waiting on God for. I especially noticed the faces of certain sisters – not too many of them, but still very conspicuous. They were faces of faithful single women who truly love the Lord and are committed to His work. These were lovely ladies who have prepared themselves and are ripe and ready for their BOAZ and yet are wondering if he will ever come.

I recognized them so easily and could read their thoughts and prayers because those thoughts and prayers were mine...Read on HERE

A Full Term Journey

2011-05-12T19:15:00.000+01:00

As soon as we saw the double red lines, we were filled with joy. Finally God had answered our prayers and I was pregnant. We began making plans. We gave her a name. We prepared her room. We spoke about who she would look like. We talked about her life and made positive declarations concerning her future. She was real to us. Alas some weeks into the end of the 1st trimester, the doctor announced that there was a problem. Our baby did not have a heartbeat. That was how she did not end up being full term...[Read on HERE]

The Name Changer

2011-05-05T15:17:00.000+01:00

As Jesus awaited the return of the two disciples sent ahead into Jerusalem to bring a colt, the crowd that followed Him broke into small groups. Some sat down and started some chitchats. A teenager, who joined the crowd after Jesus left Jericho, spoke concerning a familiar face he saw in the group he was in.

“I think I know you from somewhere,” he told the man whose face looked familiar. He paused for a moment as he tried to recall where he could have seen the face. Something came to his mind but he was not sure. “Are you not one of the poor beggars my father and I saw at the side of the road every time we passed Jericho?” Then he stuttered “Are you not blind…”

Read on HERE...

You Are Gold On The Inside: Guest Post By Le Dynamique Professeur

2011-04-26T10:55:00.001+01:00

It is no surprise why the blog “Le Dynamique Professeur” was awarded the Most Inspiring Blog in 2010. In this guest post “You Are Gold On The Inside” read and be INSPIRED…

In the mid-twentieth century, in Bangkok, Thailand, the government wanted to build a large highway through a village. Yet in the path of the planned road was a Buddhist monastery with a little chapel, so they had to relocate the monastery – including a heavy, eleven-foot clay statue of buddha – to another place. Using a crane, the government workers moved the monastery in sections..READ ON HERE...

Counting The Costs: Guest Post By Beauty and Spice

2011-04-19T11:30:00.000+01:00

Like all posts on Beauty and Spice, I am reminded to go back to the drawing board and count the cost of the relationship I am building with my Father...and continue building. Thank you Beauty and Spice for this inspiring post...

I wasn’t born into love. Growing up I was never surrounded by love. I never knew what it meant to be loved. We never talked like a family, didn’t act like one and never ate like one. My parents were total strangers to each other, my father was violent (a classic wife beater), abusive and absent. I have been wounded and broken by my father and for the twenty seven years of my presence here on earth, my dad and I have barely had a decent conversation...Read on HERE...

Waiting On The Master List

2011-04-18T18:47:00.001+01:00

Guest Post by Maid of Heart (Blog Author of Histiara and Faith Dames).

When I was single, like any young woman waiting on the Lord and wanting the best for herself, I wrote down a list of seven things I wanted in a husband. I must confess that I included the ‘Tall, dark and handsome’ title to my list. Who wouldn’t want a man who could make you swoon?

But the day I was studying the life of Abraham and how he sacrificed the most precious thing to him back to God, I thought about my life and wondered if there was anything I was still holding back from God, something precious to me...

Read on HERE...

Mr. Rita's Babe

2011-03-21T08:30:00.005+01:00

I watch as they share special moments alone together, looking each other in the eye lovingly and whispering sweet nothings no one else can understand. When she lays on his chest, nothing in the world seems to matter. There is no doubt that there is a special love and bond between them. My Mr. Rita has a babe - she is ........

EROLyrics has moved house to EROInspirations

I Testify Of God – What Tomorrow May Bring

2011-03-10T08:30:00.006+01:00

Another awesome testimony in the I Testify of God Series. The testimony in this installment is about receiving several job rejections only to learn that God has something better in the future. I was really touched by the advice the testifier has for those in similar situations. Please read on and be blessed. If you have a testimony to share, please feel free to drop me a message at rita@eroinspirations.com.

What is your testimony about? My testimony is about a job which I really wanted, wished for, cried about but did not get, and how now I look back I see that God had a better plan for me.

READ ON HERE

Based On Merit?

2011-03-07T08:30:00.006+01:00

NEW POST on EROInspirations - The Blog:

It was the 2^nd stage of the interview process, and those of us that made it past the 1^st stage sat together waiting to be called upon for the interview. A lot of chit-chat was going on, especially as we reviewed the questions that were set at the first stage.

Then someone said, “I heard from an insider that they are taking only 6 people – 2 experienced, 4 fresh graduates”.

I scanned the waiting room. There were 20 of us under the “experienced” category while the fresh graduates were about 10. Which 2 will they take out of the 20? I wondered. While I was yet wondering and hoping, one guy said, 'even if it is one person they are taking, I will be the one!'

READ ON HERE

Only A Point Of View

2011-03-01T18:53:00.000+01:00

We left the scene of merriment to share a real moment alone together. We both knew that after that night, we may not see each other again.

“Aunty Rita, please can you take me to a place that is not noisy and where I can snap more pictures?” the four year old girl had asked, knowing we had been straining our voices all evening to talk. She was also tired of taking pictures of the same faces all night (for she was practicing some photography skills with my camera).

“Of course,” I indulged her. “Let us go to the balcony and take some fresh air!”

Read on HERE...

EROLyrics has moved house to EROInspirations

The Evergreen Tree

2011-02-24T08:30:00.000+01:00

Each time I took a walk, that tree caught my eye. Since my mind was filled with so many thoughts, I could not place why the tree appealed to me. One day, I had to stop and take a hard look at the tree. It was then I realized why it always stood out. In the midst of dry, deserted, leafless and barren-looking trees, it stood tall, fresh and evergreen. Read on HERE...

The Guy In The Mailroom

2011-02-21T08:30:00.001+01:00

It was one of those periods when I was convinced my job could not have been the will of God. The stress, the feeling of being irrelevant, the negative comments from colleagues, and the condition of my health could only help buttress the thoughts running through my mind. I spent quite some time ruminating on a resignation. All that remained was to convince Mr. Rita*, who was not seeing things from my perspective, hence the delay in making a decision.

As I walked past the mailroom one day, I saw the guy in the mailroom praying with a colleague. The scene so touched me that I had to mention it a few days later when I needed to use the mailroom. Read on HERE...

Beyond The Hurdle

2011-02-17T08:30:00.001+01:00

I think this happened sometime in 2000. You know how a woman can blossom, be energized and be self-motivated by simply being in a “great” relationship? That was how I felt. Every area of my life seemed to have meaning – especially my academics. I felt so good with myself that I made an attempt at an abstract for a student paper contest, which was accepted. I had a few months to write the full paper, get acceptance and present the paper at a conference.

It wasn’t long before my young, innocent heart was shattered into pieces...Read more HERE

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The Unburdening

He Who Began A Good Work

Matchmakers

The Fortune Teller

When You Feel God Is Not Near

God Is Still Writing Love Stories

A Full Term Journey

The Name Changer

You Are Gold On The Inside: Guest Post By Le Dynamique Professeur

Counting The Costs: Guest Post By Beauty and Spice

Waiting On The Master List

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I Testify Of God – What Tomorrow May Bring

Based On Merit?

Only A Point Of View

The Evergreen Tree

The Guy In The Mailroom

Beyond The Hurdle