Walk the Talk

If only there were a way to erase the darkest, biggest scribbles imprinted on our hearts and lives by the hard situations we've gone through. If only there were a way to delete the negatively life-altering actions and words that we have done and said in ignorance or deliberation. If only there was a way to really - and I mean, really - start over on a fresh slate. A way that's not just "trying to forget" or "behaviour modification". A way that's not about trying harder or bei

Well then, what is an anchor? It is a heavy object, usually shaped like a cross with curved arms, used to secure a water vessel to the sea floor so that it does not drift away due to the wind or sea currents. Without an anchor, in adverse weather conditions, the vessel is at huge risk of losing control and being carried into dangerous zones. It can become damaged due to collision against rocks or other obstacles. Indeed, without an anchor, the safety of the person in the vess

“God, please, just this once”, I said desperately. I was walking around in town, hoping to bump into someone – anyone - I know. Why? I needed cash… Your right eyebrow probably just lifted by an inch. Hold on. Let me finish. I needed cash because I had gone to the post office to buy a postal order, but then was told items like that could only be paid for in cash. Which I didn’t have on me. Because I get by well enough with my debit card. So, then, as I roamed around town prayi

One of the most frustrating life scenarios is urging a football player from 5,000 miles and a flat screen away to pass the ball. You’ve calculated it all- the best angle for the shot, the probability of scoring a goal, the possibility of winning the trophy at the end of the season, how best to use your soon-to-come bragging rights, everything. All this player needs to do is pass the ball, this is the right time! Indeed, a lot of the time, we’re concerned about not missing the

Talking with my younger brother recently made me realize how important it is to have a blueprint for life. He was sharing with me how some of my school notes from years ago were now being helpful for him as he was going through classes and learning new concepts. He would have read my notes before going to class and was therefore able to answer questions no one else had a clue about, develop his understanding, and get ahead in his schoolwork. He was thankful to me for taking s

Blow the trumpets! Sound the alarm! The day of the Lord is here, Be careful that you do not fall into harm. Beware, you perverse generation, Behold, you confused generation. The Way is bare before you, And the Truth is revealed for you. Life is made available for you. Shall you still choose to remain in oblivion? Look, the earth shakes and the sky trembles, As the Almighty thunders from heaven! See, He has sent His warnings, He tells you of the dark and gloomy day approaching

James took a deep breath as he finally brought his red Rolls Royce to a halt. How did he get into this mess? He had never done community service before and had no idea what to expect. Stepping out morosely, he retrieved the items he had specially prepared for this event from the back seat: Five face masks, three hair nets, a long pole, a shovel, eight pairs of gloves, a first aid box, knee-high svelte boots, khaki overalls, two pairs of swimming goggl es—plus a spare one jus

Have you ever searched desperately for something that was right under your nose? Ever rummaged through your bag for your pencil that you hooked on your ear? Ever asked if someone had seen your pair of glasses that was perfectly balanced on your face? Just the other day, my roommate was telling me of something similar that happened when she was little. She thought she had lost her bread and started crying for someone to bring it back to her. She cried and wailed...only to di

After being out of school for about 8 months because of the nationwide strike embarked upon by federal universities' staff, a lot of students all over Nigeria were anxious to resume when the strike was called off. This became very obvious to me as classmates who had long forgotten that I existed suddenly started reaching out to “check up on me”. After which of course they proceeded to ask if I could send my notes from school and some practice questions. Lol. I didn't kid myse

How long does it take you to adjust to your surroundings when you wake from a deep sleep? For me, it takes about 3 minutes. Which is enough time for a robber to get me on my knees and shoot me in the head Or for a black, fat, venomous snake to bite me in the heel Or for an army of soldier ants to completely cover me Or for a fire to break out and engulf me But, none of this has happened And none will, by God's grace. Know how I'm so sure? • “Behold, He who keeps Isra

Have you ever heard the Yoruba word Àgbàyà ? The word is coined from the two Yoruba words Àgbà meaning old or elder , and ìyà meaning suffering or harm . Àgbàyà means bad elder or one who makes the younger to suffer . Typically, it's used in situations where an elderly person- or someone who's supposed to know better- takes advantage of a younger person- or someone who's not as knowledgeable. I'm not exactly proud to say this, but I've been an Àgbàyà before. But then,

Imagine trying to start a car with a toothbrush And then brushing your teeth with a key Imagine wiping your nose with a body sponge And then bathing with a roll of tissues Imagine cooking in an active volcano Imagine climbing with a pencil Imagine... None of this makes sense, right? This is what God was teaching me a few days ago. That there is a right weapon for every battle. And, that the same way you won't pick up an arrow to attack an enemy right in front of you, you shou

I currently work as an apprentice at a hair salon and trust me, it hasn't been easy. In fact, I'm at a point where I will NOT allow anyone to look down on hairdressers or think their work isn't important. As an apprentice, my work isn't limited to watching intently as my boss works and trying to duplicate her work later on a doll head. Whenever there's a customer, we both stand for hours braiding or styling her hair. I'm also in charge of cleaning the shop at the beginning an

Hurray, it’s that time of year again! And no, I don’t mean Christmas or your birthday- although those are wonderful times to spend with family and friends as well. But this time, I’m talking about the Global Students’ Congress (GSC). The 2022 Edition of this program holds from Monday, the 11th of April till Friday, the 15th of April , 2022. Themed INTENTIONALITY (Philippians 3:10), it is a forum that will draw students from higher institutions within and outside Nigeria from

A mix of great admiration and envy shone in Agnes’ eyes as she carefully considered the canvas before her. She wasn't there by choice, she had only come as a volunteer from the gallery to pick up some of his work for an upcoming auction. But then she couldn't help but gape in awe as she fought the urge to run her hands over the colours and forms that drew her in. She smiled slightly as she remembered her boss’ stern warning, “Don't touch!” but that smile was quickly rep

Heart heavy, I close my eyes And let my thoughts wander on a starry night Soul searching, I long for the keys That hold the power to my mind's release Heart breaking, I ache for peace As I ponder the things that have gone amiss Distance widening, I gasp at the shut door Why have I done this to my Creator? Perhaps it was out of fear Of both the known and the unknown, that has brought me here Or perhaps it was out of worry Based on a baseless ideology Or maybe even out of doubt

Eleven month old Caleb's heart sank gradually as he watched his father position him then take one step away from him. Then another. Then another. Then he stopped. Caleb stared into his father's expectant dark brown eyes and outstretched arms, wondering why his father had given him this unsolicited mission. Sure, he had been propping himself up against furniture and had taken just a few steps the other day while holding onto his mother's hands, but he wasn't ready for this. “

“Go away! You don’t belong here.” Bola braced herself against the cold wind and harsh words of the man in front of her as she watched him haul out her clothes and books, not even bothering to pack them into bags or suitcases. As the realization that the only real family she had left had thrown her out hit her, she wiped a lone tear from her cheek. “This will be the last time that I cry because of you.” To be honest, it had been a tiring couple of years. After her mother’s bet

Hello and Merry Christmas in advance! Welcome to the season of love once again. It’s that time of year when we gear up to show a special kind of love to those around us, Christ’s love. The love that left a kingdom in Heaven for unworthy sinners on Earth; the love that willingly shed blood so that the formerly inevitable death could pass over us; the love that spoke forgiveness and redemption; the love that accepted death so that we can live. One of the best ways to celebrate

Just last year, I was suicidal. If the suicide note I had prepared hadn’t been discovered, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. And when I look back at all that has happened between then and now, not being part of so many awesome things would have been my biggest regret. Then you wonder, “Didn’t I know the implication of suicide? On a spiritual level?” Of course, I did. But at that time, I didn’t care. I was caught up in a huge fight and was on the verge of giving up. Sometime