Sometimes, people tell me how perfect my life is, and every time I hear those words I want to run to a mirror, just to be sure I am the person they are referring to. Like really? Me? Seriously? Me? 

I have never attempted to pretend that my life is perfect. I wish it were. I pray it will be, but right now it is what it is and I am thankful for all that it is. 

My experiences have in one way or the other shaped my person, and of course, God has put the finishing touches to what I choose to call a masterpiece. 

My tears. My pain. My smiles. My screams. My laughter. Everything, all of it together. The happy times. When I chuckle so mischievously or let out my typical girlie laughter with my head bent slightly backward and my hair dances a happy samba to the rhythms of my joy. Then the other times. When I wonder when night will turn today, and seek so desperately for the rays of sunshine. When the fire rages and nothing seem to contain it and hope is but a scarce commodity. When I wait for the tender hand to catch the drops of tears or a gentle embrace that says it’s ok… I see you… I feel you… I know you. 

Yes, my life is not made up of the make-believe tales that many people choose to put forward as they write a script of perfection when in actual fact they are living the horrors of their reality. 

To those who believe I have a perfect life, I would sincerely like to say thank you, in appreciation and in faith. To those who know me behind the curtains and still love, adore, believe in, or even want to hang around, I would also like to sincerely thank you. 

As a person, I believe in making the most of whatever comes my way, you know the ‘if life gives you lemons make lemonades’ mantra? Yeah, more like that. This interestingly is the reason behind this blog, and I sincerely pray for the grace to be true to the essence of who I am and the objectives of this space. 

Yeah. I have known joy. I have also known sadness. I have known pain. I have also experienced healing. So you see, the pressure and the pain, do eventually lead to praise, in such a way as to silence the devil and my adversaries, in such a way as to make them regret messing with an absolute jewel. 

I would not say it has been easy. But somehow, there has been a flicker on the darkest nights and at those moments when my pillows are soaked with my overflowing tears, I wake up to find out that somehow I had been rocked to bed without knowing it and eased into the most peaceful sleep – against all odds. 

*Laughing* You know, someone once remarked about how ‘cute’ I look even when I am hurting and I rolled my eyes… I sincerely couldn’t swear for him… but you get my point, right? I guess that’s just another proof that Bros J and our ‘Daddy’ have an amazing sense of humor. 

Truth is, I have known pain that I do not even want to imagine anyone else going through. But through it all, Yahweh has continued to flex. Why? Because every episode has led me right into His arms where I can be naked and totally unashamed! 

You see, most times, when we are hurting, we focus on the pain thereby fueling and magnifying it. This is not to belittle the pain, but rather, put it in its right place, as a springboard to something beautiful that will be worthy of praise, His praise, and interestingly the praise of humanity too.