Dear future husband: If love were a book

📖 If Love Were a Book: A Journey Through Its Pages

Love is often likened to many things—a journey, a flame, a dance. But what if love were a book? Not just any book, but one that invites you to read it over and over, each time uncovering new depths and meanings.

Imagine holding this book in your hands. The cover may be worn, the pages dog-eared, but it's yours—a testament to the experiences, lessons, and emotions that love has brought into your life.

Take another glance.
Turn to the next chapter called Second Chance.
Read the words like an invitation to dance.

Love, like a cherished book, beckons us to return. To re-experience its joys and sorrows, to learn from its lessons, and to grow alongside its characters. It's in these re-readings that we find clarity, understanding, and the courage to continue the story.

I’ll acknowledge you and say thank you.
You didn’t give up—read that again—because you didn’t let it end.

These words resonate deeply, reminding us of the strength it takes to persevere in love. To choose to stay, to fight for connection, and to believe in the possibility of renewal. It's a testament to the resilience of the human heart and the transformative power of forgiveness.

I’d say read it again and again,
Until you understand the content within.
Until you can quote the lines,
Until you can see without the highlights it still shines.

Repetition here isn't redundancy; it's reinforcement. By rereading, we internalize the lessons, cherish the memories, and recognize the growth that love fosters within us.

When the words are not as clear,
And you are uncomfortable and fear,
Until the words leap off the pages
And escort you to places and stages
You thought you’d never stand.

Love challenges us. It pushes us into unfamiliar territories, urging us to confront our fears and embrace vulnerability. It's in these moments that we find strength and resilience we never knew we had.

Until there is no distance between your heart and my hand.
Until you run out of periods and question marks.
Until you are no longer bleeding and out swam all the sharks.

These metaphors speak to the trials and tribulations that love can entail. Yet, through perseverance and mutual support, love can heal wounds and bridge divides.

Read between the lines until you can hear what wasn't said,
When the words are still in my head.

Communication in love isn't solely about spoken words. It's about understanding the unspoken, sensing the emotions that words fail to capture, and being attuned to each other's inner worlds.

If love is as a book,
I’d say open it and take a second look.
Remember every story is not the same,
And every author is not seeking fame.

Every love story is unique, penned by its own set of authors with distinct voices and experiences. Recognizing this individuality allows us to appreciate the diversity and depth of love's manifestations.

Love comes sometimes to reveal your name,
To heal and to restore, to bring honor and expel shame.
Love comes to rewrite history and change the game.

Love has the transformative power to redefine our narratives, to turn past pains into sources of strength, and to illuminate paths previously shrouded in darkness.

Love comes to remind you to take it off the shelf,
To uncover, discover, and recover your best self.

In the hustle of daily life, we might sideline love, letting it gather dust. But revisiting it can reignite passions, rekindle connections, and rejuvenate our spirits.

So if you ever forget why love came,
Read it again and remember my name.

This closing sentiment serves as a gentle reminder: when doubts arise or memories fade, returning to the story of love can rekindle its warmth and reaffirm its presence in our lives and why it was worth giving it another chance.

The Ultimate T.H.U.G (Totally Humbled Under God)

Jesus responded to the hate directed at Him with total humility under God. In doing so, He embodied what it means to be “Totally Humbled Under God” (T.H.U.G.). He displayed the greatest act of strength and surrender when He revealed to His disciples that He could call twelve legions of angels to rescue Him, yet He chose the cross to fulfill Scripture. Jesus understood that His journey wasn’t just personal—it was for everyone who would come after Him through His sacrifice.

For three years, Jesus ministered and taught about the kingdom of heaven, revealing its nature and preparing us to receive it. He declared that He was one with God, the King establishing His kingdom. Yet, as He hung on the cross—bleeding, beaten, and seemingly defeated—it appeared as though everything He had taught was contradicted.

This can mirror our own experiences. There are seasons in life when everything feels contrary to what God has promised. Even Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, tried to dissuade Him from enduring the suffering of the cross. But Jesus knew the wisdom and power hidden in His crucifixion. He understood that once He gave up the ghost, the Holy Spirit would come, empowering us to destroy the works of the flesh and live as overcomers.

The Cross: A Necessary Process

Jesus told us to take up our cross daily and deny ourselves. This is a reminder that we cannot avoid the process God has for us, no matter how painful it may be. Like Jesus, we must endure and trust that there is divine purpose in the pain.

Many of us have experienced betrayal and hate—seasons where the same people who celebrated us one day turned against us the next. Just as Jesus heard "Hosanna!" from the crowd before they cried "Crucify Him!" we too may face public disgrace and private shame. Yet, even in His suffering, Jesus looked down from the cross and said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing."

Our own crucifixion moments—when we are mocked, judged, or misunderstood—can feel unbearable. But these moments are part of God’s greater plan. Just as Jesus’ crucifixion was necessary for His resurrection and the salvation of many, our process often serves those who come after us.

Perspective in Pain

Pastor Dharius Daniels preached a message called Look Again, emphasizing that sometimes God changes our perspective even if He doesn’t change our circumstances. This principle is seen in Joseph’s story in Genesis 50:20:
"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."

Joseph endured years of betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, yet God gave him a new perspective on his suffering. Similarly, Jesus tried to teach His disciples that “it is finished” would only be true after the crucifixion.

Becoming a THUG for God

To follow Jesus, we must become THUGs—Totally Humbled Under God. This means trusting God even when others misjudge us or question why we endure suffering. They may call us desperate or weak for staying faithful, but like Jesus, we are not submitting to the crowd; but to God.

Sometimes, staying in position—remaining on our “cross”—requires wisdom and calculated strength. Jesus trusted God to vindicate Him and refused to let the crowd’s noise or the pain of betrayal pull Him out of position. Many of us receive a word from God, but when betrayal or hardship comes, we are tempted to abandon our cross. Yet, God’s hidden wisdom and power are revealed in the process. There is wisdom in every wound. Don’t let your suffering be in vain.

Wisdom to Outsmart the Enemy

God desires to give us the same wisdom He hid in the cross. In the movie Columbiana, the protagonist outsmarts her enemies with precision and strategy. What captivated me about the film wasn’t the revenge but her ability to stay steps ahead of her adversaries. Similarly, God gives us the wisdom to navigate spiritual battles and defeat the enemy.

We must trust the process and remain steadfast. Like Jesus, our crucifixion moments are not the end—they are the path to resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s plan.

The Kindness in God's "No"

At some point in life, every child will accuse their parent of being cruel. The restrictions we place, the limits we set, and the discipline we enforce often feel like punishment to them. But as parents, we know something they don’t—our no is often the greatest act of kindness we can give.

Just as a loving parent must say no to protect their child, so does God. His correction can feel paradoxical, even cruel, yet it is always an act of love. "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint" (Proverbs 29:18). Without guidance, without boundaries, destruction is inevitable. That’s why God, in His wisdom, sometimes tells us no—not to punish us, but to protect us.

I remember a time when I had to exercise this tough love with my own son. He was 17, and unknown to me, he had been sneaking out at night, taking my truck, and drinking. I was working on my master’s degree at the time and rarely stayed up late to do my coursework. But one night, Jesus woke me up. I argued with myself about whether I needed to get up, but something in my spirit urged me to obey.

I worked for exactly 45 minutes before heading to turn off the living room light. And just as I reached for the switch, in walks my son—bloodshot eyes, tipsy, and holding my truck keys.

I wasn’t even angry. I was grateful. Grateful that he made it home safely, that he didn’t hurt himself or someone else. My first and only question was, “How long have you been doing this?” Without hesitation, he admitted, “About nine months.”

That was it. The keys were now mine, permanently. From that moment forward, neither he nor his younger brothers would ever have the chance of stealing my car keys and gaining access to my vehicle. My no was not an act of cruelty—it was an act of kindness. I never wanted to risk him driving drunk again, never wanted to test how many more times God’s mercy would cover his reckless decisions.

God’s Correction: A Paradox of Love

God’s discipline can feel like a contradiction, just as Shakespeare captured in Hamlet when the prince said, “I must be cruel to be kind.” On the surface, these words don’t make sense. How can cruelty be an act of kindness? But when you look deeper, you understand the truth: sometimes, the greatest kindness requires temporary pain.

We see this in God's dealings with us. His “no” may disappoint us in the moment, but it spares us from long-term destruction. He may withhold something we desperately want, not because He is cruel, but because He knows that having it too soon, or at all, could destroy us. He may discipline us, not to break us, but to build us into who He has called us to be.

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son whom He receives” (Hebrews 12:6).

To the child, discipline feels unfair. To the developing believer, God’s correction may feel harsh. But from a place of wisdom, we come to understand that every restriction He places, every door He closes, and every painful lesson He allows is rooted in His unfailing love.

So, when God tells you no, when He blocks a path you were determined to take, when He removes something from your life that you desperately wanted to keep—trust Him. It may only be a season where delay is not denial, it is divine development. It’s not cruelty. It’s kindness.

What have you done?

What Have You Done?

I will never forget the regret I felt at 17 years old, allowing my mother to take me to an abortion clinic. She insisted I abort my nine-and-a-half-week-old fetus—a baby I had already begun to nurture—because she changed her mind about supporting me. She made the appointment. I was deceived into believing abortion was the answer, but it wasn’t the answer then, and it isn’t now.

I am grateful that Roe v. Wade was overturned, though I know many disagree. Like millions of other young women, I was deceived, much like Eve in the Garden of Eden when Satan lied to her. Abortion is a lie—a theft of God-given authority and dominion over life. God gave Eve a promise that her seed would crush the serpent’s head, yet through abortion, the enemy has stolen the lives of countless children and silenced their futures.

Some women, like me, were deceived. Others, fully aware, chose to disobey. Laws now requiring ultrasounds and listening to a baby’s heartbeat have revealed the undeniable truth: it’s not just tissue—it’s a life.

Statics:

• In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported approximately 620,000 abortions in 2020 (based on data from 49 reporting areas). The Guttmacher Institute, which collects data independently, estimated about 930,000 abortions in 2020.

• The U.S. abortion rate in recent years has been around 14.4 per 1,000 women aged 15–44.

The Development of a 9½-Week-Old Fetus

I discovered in detail how developed my baby was at 9½ weeks:

Development of Fetal Body Parts Before 9½ Weeks

1. Head and Brain

• 5–6 weeks:

• The head is disproportionately large due to rapid brain development.

• The brain's three primary regions (forebrain, midbrain, hindbrain) begin forming.

• 7–8 weeks:

• Facial features like nostrils, mouth, and eye pits become distinct.

• By 9 weeks:

• The brain

This was a life separate from me and just like I didn’t have the right to shed innocent blood, we don’t today through abortion. God wants to right this wrong and give America a chance to repent and get it right in this hour!

God’s Question: "What Have You Done?"

God asked Cain, "Where is your brother?" When Cain denied responsibility, God said, "Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground." Just as He held Cain accountable, God holds us accountable for the innocent blood of aborted babies. He is asking us, “What have you done?”

Through my brokenness and repentance, I found my life’s passion. At 17, I began to understand the weight of my decision. Years later, in 2013, Apostle John Eckhardt prophesied over me, confirming what I already knew:

• “You will mother them, prophesy to them, minister deliverance, and love young women. It will take more than spiritual support—you will need resources to help single moms and those who have had abortions and God is going to give you the resources to support them.”

I wanted to create a ministry to support young women—those who had abortions and those who might feel forced to choose it due to lack of resources. In 2023, the vision became clear: my ministry, Ruth’s Vineyard, will serve foster girls only—those in the system and those who have aged out—so they can keep their children with support.

From Pain to Purpose

Out of the brokenness of my own pain, God birthed my life’s passion. Ruth’s Vineyard will be a refuge for foster young women, helping them keep their children and avoid the pain I experienced. This ministry is one of the ways God is restoring what the enemy has stolen and avenging the innocent blood of my child and millions of others.

God sees, remembers, and restores. What the cankerworm and locust have eaten, He will repay. This mission is part of His justice and redemption.

Final Reflections

God is calling us to repent and correct the wrongs of the past. My story is one of redemption and purpose, and I hope to be a voice for young women who feel lost or deceived. Just as God gave Eve the promise that her seed would crush the serpent’s head, we must reclaim our authority and defend the lives of the innocent.

God has not forgotten them, and He has not forgotten us.

Dear future husband: The most wanted

Love has a way of eluding us, slipping through our fingers like a fugitive on the run. Many of us have chased after it, only to find it fleeting, leaving behind wounds, questions, and a past archived with heartbreak. But what happens when love, once a shadow in our imagination, becomes real—when it is no longer a fugitive, but a force that apprehends us in the most profound way?

The Investigation of the Heart

Before true love enters, we often go through a deep interrogation of the soul. Every scar, every disappointment, every fractured hope is laid bare. We reevaluate our past, question our worth, must face our fears and sometimes hesitate to believe in love again. But healing requires exposure—acknowledging the wounds so they can be closed for good.

This process is not about artificial connections or rushed emotions or force. It is about divine implantation—love that is pure, intentional, and transformative from God.

Wanted for the Crime of Love

When love arrives, it doesn’t ask for permission; it invades, trespassing into the places we thought were too broken to be touched. It lingers in corridors of our hearts that were blocked and guarded and at times we turn around and wonder how that person got there.  It steals our time, rewrites our story, and breaks the chains that once bound us to solitude.

Love is a heist of the soul, a breaking-in, a transformation that arrests our fears and replaces them with something deeper, something permanent. The one who loves you becomes the most wanted—guilty of unlocking what was long forgotten, of seeing you when others overlooked you, of whispering words that rebuild your reality.

Sentenced to a Lifetime of Love

The irony of love is that while we often run from it, it was always meant to capture us. When love finally catches up, there is no more hiding, no more running. It crowns us—not as victims, but as victors, no longer haunted by the past but healed and made whole.

To be "Most Wanted" in love is to be seen, pursued, and captured—not by fear or fleeting passion, but by a love that is intentional and eternal.

So, if you find yourself caught in the grip of love, don’t resist. Be arrested. Surrender. Be transformed. Be crowned.

The Most Wanted

After a full comprehensive investigation—

An interrogation of my soul,

Every wound, every hole,

Reexamined, exposed,

and disposed,

In the archives of my past,

Where love was always a fugitive, that never really last.

Dedication. Elevation. Evaluation.

No more hesitation. No artificial insemination— Only divine implantation.

You are being summoned, Into a covenant with love and penetration.

Subpoenaed by heaven’s highest courts,

Your name written in sacred reports.

No longer a shadow in my imagination,

Transformation,

Under arrest to change a nation,

A whole generation.

You are on the Most Wanted List

For the spiritual heist of my mind,

For making me see where I was once blind,

For trespassing into my pain,

For enrolling in “You” university in my brain,

And breaking the chain,

That kept me bound To a life without love.

Lost and now found.

Your crime? Stealing my time.

As one of the most wanted,

For blunted,

Force trauma

Requiring me to be whole,

Taking control.

Inducing, deducing,

and producing,

A friend. A wife. A lover.

The Most Wanted and Haunted,

Charged with invading my space,

A trophy of grace.

Whispering words that reshaped my reality—

Guilty of unlocking what was long forgotten in me.

On Heaven’s radar,

For raising the bar, —

No more delay,

You are on full display,

Your face plastered on love’s billboard,

As your love now becomes my reward.

As a poster child for redemption.

No longer held in suspension.

For robbing me of my heart,

dissecting every part,

A fugitive now caught,

For high jacking into loves vault,

You will be stroked, soaked, and yoked, to me forever,

Together.

With evidence uncovered, discovered, And recovered.

You are guilty for making me your puppet of love,

Escaped from above,

And now incentivized with tips,

For making me talk like a ventriloquist,

Without moving my lips,

Placing you most wanted on the list,

For committing subliminal,

Criminal,

Temple invasions.

Not factored into the equations,

As the most wanted,

flaunted,

Vaunted,

And taunted,

In the face of the enemy,

As the remedy,

Captured as a rare specimen,

After enduring a grueling regimen,

Of being marred, Scarred,

And now ready to defend your guard.

Love.

For rewriting my story,

Taking every scar and turning it into an image of glory.

No longer a fugitive No longer daunted,

No longer hunted—

Now wanted.

Captured by love, Sentenced to life,

crowned as my king and me as your wife.

Hope in the wreckage

The Titanic: A Marvel of Its Age

In the early 20th century, the Titanic was the epitome of modern achievement—a grand, unsinkable ship symbolizing wealth, progress, and human ingenuity. Its size, luxury, and technological advancements were unparalleled, offering passengers an unprecedented experience. It carried the promise of safety, comfort, and speed, drawing people from all walks of life, united by the allure of new possibilities.

Like the Titanic, a relationship that begins with promise and excitement can feel invincible, full of potential and beauty. The ship’s grand dining halls, lavish cabins, and state-of-the-art engineering can be likened to the euphoric early stages of love—a time when everything seems perfect, unbreakable, and full of hope.

The Dangers of Rushing Ahead

Despite its grandeur, the Titanic’s tragic end was a stark reminder of the dangers of overconfidence and neglect. It was built with the latest innovations, but its creators were so certain of its invincibility that they failed to prepare adequately for unforeseen dangers. Lifeboats were insufficient, and warnings of icebergs were ignored as the ship steamed full speed ahead into dangerous waters.

In relationships, a similar fate can occur when couples rush ahead without taking the time to build a solid foundation. The excitement of new love can overshadow the need for clear communication, emotional depth, and mutual understanding. Just as the Titanic’s builders neglected to account for the potential risks, people often overlook warning signs, assuming that love alone is enough to sustain a relationship. But love, like a ship, needs more than beauty and promise—it needs preparation, humility, and a willingness to navigate challenges.

Chance, Time, and Opportunity

The Titanic’s story also illustrates how chance and timing can shape our destinies. For those who boarded, it was an opportunity to pursue dreams, reunite with loved ones, or start anew. The ship represented a chance for freedom, adventure, and upward mobility.

Similarly, relationships are often born out of chance encounters and moments of connection. The excitement of meeting someone new and embarking on a shared journey can feel like boarding a magnificent ship destined for greatness. Yet, just as the Titanic’s passengers couldn’t foresee the iceberg ahead, couples can’t predict every challenge they will face. Time and effort are necessary to ensure the relationship is strong enough to weather storms.

The Risk of Overconfidence

The Titanic carried passengers of all classes, each with dreams and aspirations. Yet, the very thing that made it desirable—its claim of being “unsinkable”—became its downfall. The ship’s builders believed it was too advanced to fail, and this overconfidence led to a lack of preparation. When disaster struck, the ship’s inadequacies were laid bare.

In love, overconfidence can be equally dangerous. Assuming that a relationship is unbreakable without investing in its growth can lead to neglect. The illusion of security can make people complacent, failing to address underlying issues or take precautions for the future. A healthy relationship, like a well-built ship, requires attention, maintenance, and humility to navigate life’s uncertainties.

The Heart of the Ocean: A Woman’s Heart

The Titanic’s fictional love story, depicted in the movie, centers around the "Heart of the Ocean," a rare and priceless blue diamond. This gem serves as a metaphor for a woman’s heart—valuable, mysterious, and capable of holding immense beauty and depth. In the story, the diamond represents love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of memories.

A woman’s heart, like the Heart of the Ocean, must be treasured and handled with care. It holds the strength to nurture, heal, and inspire, but it can also be fragile. Just as the diamond was lost to the depths of the sea, a woman’s heart can be deeply wounded when neglected, mishandled, or taken for granted.

The Tragic End: Lessons for Relationships

The Titanic’s sinking was a result of human error, overconfidence, and a failure to heed warnings. It reminds us that even the grandest structures can fall if their foundation is flawed. In relationships, the same principle applies. When couples neglect the small, seemingly insignificant details—honest communication, shared values, and mutual respect—they risk facing their own “icebergs.”

The Titanic’s passengers had limited lifeboats, and many perished because there wasn’t enough preparation for disaster. In relationships, the “lifeboats” are the tools we build to survive challenges—patience, forgiveness, trust, and a willingness to adapt. Without these, even the strongest love can falter.

Hope in the Wreckage

Though the Titanic’s story ended in tragedy, it also serves as a powerful lesson. It teaches us the importance of preparation, humility, and cherishing what truly matters. Relationships, like ships, must be carefully built, navigated with wisdom, and equipped to withstand life’s unpredictable waters.

For those who take the time to build their relationship on a strong foundation—anchored in mutual respect, love, and faith—the journey can be one of beauty and fulfillment. Unlike the Titanic, a well-prepared relationship can survive the storms, reach its destination, and become a legacy that inspires others for generations to come. Although, the titanic sank, our ship won’t sink.

God Uses Desperation to Birth Greatness

Rachel and Jacob: Misplaced Anger and Frustration

Rachel, deeply loved by Jacob, was barren while her sister Leah bore many children (Genesis 30:1-2). Rachel’s pain and jealousy consumed her to the point of desperation, leading her to confront Jacob and cry out, “Give me children, or else I die!” Jacob’s anger was kindled as he responded, “Am I in God’s stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb?”

This exchange highlights two key points:

1. Misplaced Expectations: Rachel expected Jacob to solve a problem that only God could address. In relationships, this mirrors how we sometimes place unrealistic expectations on our partners, friends, or leaders to fulfill our deepest needs. Like Jacob, they may be unable to meet those needs because only God has the power to address the root of our desires.

2. God’s Timing: Jacob recognized that Rachel’s barrenness was not something he could control. Often, what feels like a delay or denial is God’s perfect timing at work. Rachel’s desire for a child was fulfilled later when God “remembered her” and she gave birth to Joseph, a child destined for greatness.

Hannah: Turning to God in Desperation

In contrast to Rachel, Hannah provides a powerful example of faith and intercession. Deeply grieved by her barrenness and tormented by her rival, Peninnah, Hannah wept bitterly. Instead of turning to her husband, Elkanah, she brought her anguish directly to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:10-11).

The Power of Prayer

Hannah’s prayer was specific, heartfelt, and full of faith. She vowed to dedicate her child to the Lord if He would grant her a son. This act of surrender shows the transformative power of prayer:

• Surrendering Control: Hannah didn’t demand or manipulate her husband to meet her need. Instead, she acknowledged that only God could fulfill the desire of her heart.

• God’s Response to Faith: God honored Hannah’s prayer, and she gave birth to Samuel, one of Israel’s greatest prophets, who would anoint kings and lead the nation spiritually.

Lessons from Rachel and Hannah: Knowing When to Go to God

1. Understanding the Source of Fulfillment: Rachel’s story reminds us that no human being can fulfill the deepest desires of our hearts. Whether it’s a spouse, a leader, or a friend, people are limited in their ability to meet our needs. Only God can fully satisfy us and give us what we need in His perfect timing.

2. The Role of Intercession: Hannah’s story highlights the power of intercession. When we bring our desperation to God, He not only meets our needs but often births something far greater than we could imagine. Samuel wasn’t just a son to Hannah; he was a prophet who shaped the destiny of a nation.

3. The Importance of Perspective: Jacob’s response to Rachel, though harsh, was a reminder that barrenness was not a punishment but part of God’s sovereign plan. Like Rachel, we must learn to trust God’s perspective over our own, even when the waiting feels unbearable.

God Uses Desperation to Birth Greatness

When women bring their deepest longings to God, He often uses those moments of desperation to birth greatness. Hannah’s heartfelt prayer resulted in a child who became a spiritual leader. Rachel’s eventual faith led to the birth of Joseph, who saved nations.

Desperation drives us to our knees, but it’s in that posture of surrender that God meets us, transforms us, and uses our pain for His glory. Relationships, whether in marriage, family, or community, should reflect this trust in God. When we stop looking to man for what only God can provide, we position ourselves to experience His miraculous provision.

Conclusion: Trusting God in Relationships

Both Rachel and Hannah teach us that our deepest longings are best entrusted to God. In relationships, this means recognizing the limitations of others and leaning into God’s unlimited power. Whether the need is for a child, financial provision, spiritual growth, or healing, desperation should lead us to the One who can truly fulfill our hearts.

Through intercession, God births greatness out of barrenness, transforms pain into purpose, and uses our waiting to prepare us for His plans. As we trust Him, we can rest assured that He is working all things together for our good and His glory.

The long route

The Long Route: Trusting God’s Timing

God knows exactly where we are and how to bring us to our expected end, even if He has to take us the long way. His promises are generational, and He is faithful to keep every word spoken. In Genesis 15:13-16, God made a promise to Abraham:
"Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions..."

This promise wasn’t fulfilled in Abraham’s lifetime—it was for his great-grandchildren, the fourth generation. God had already planned a deliverer, Moses, to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey.

But there was something God didn’t tell them. He didn’t mention the giants in the promised land or that they would have to fight to possess what He had given them.

When the Promise Requires a Fight

How often do we give up on relationships, businesses, dreams, or other promises because we have to fight? The children of Israel faced the same temptation. After their miraculous escape through the Red Sea, God didn’t lead them on the shortest route to their destination. Instead, as Exodus 13:17-18 explains, He took them the long way:
"For God said, 'If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea."

God knew they weren’t ready for the battles ahead. The wilderness was His preparation ground to humble and test them, as Deuteronomy 8:2 states:
"Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands."

Waiting for the Promise

In 2000, God gave me a glimpse of my future, just as He allowed the children of Israel to spy out the promised land. It felt so real that I believed it would happen immediately. But just as Abraham waited 25 years for Isaac, I have waited nearly 25 years for the fulfillment of prophecies spoken over my life since I was 18.

At the end of 2024, I found myself saddened, wondering why I hadn’t yet received what I believed would come in 2023. Yet, God reminded me of a prophetic word from April 2021: "You will enter your great harvest in 2025."

This journey has been humbling. Through delays, I’ve learned that delay is not denial. The Bible says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Proverbs 13:12), and there were times my heart felt heavy. But God is faithful. He has used this process to heal me, test me, and prepare me for the desires of my heart.

Refined Through the Fire

Recently, I received confirmation through a prophetic word from Prophet Tomi Arayomi and the RIG Nation prophetic team. They shared that I had passed through the fires, endured the tests, and come out as pure gold. This was not just for me—it was for others.

Every trial we endure is part of God’s eternal equation for our destiny. Just as He took the children of Israel the long route, He allowed me to experience a prolonged journey to strengthen my faith, deepen my roots, and prepare me for the fight ahead.

God’s Faithfulness Across Generations

God’s promises extend beyond us. What He spoke to Abraham wasn’t just for him—it was for his descendants. And just as He fulfilled His promise to Abraham, He will fulfill His promises to us, even if it takes longer than we expect.

Be encouraged if you find yourself on the long route. God is not done unfolding your story. The delays and tests are not wasted—they are part of His preparation. He is humbling you, strengthening you, and equipping you to possess the promises He has already given you.

Get ready to receive everything God has spoken over your life and your generations. His timing is perfect, and His faithfulness endures.

Dream Again: The Power of Reaching

Andy was growing up, outgrowing toys and childhood habits—but not his deep connection to Woody. Woody was his favorite, and Andy was Woody’s. As summer approached, Andy eagerly prepared for camp, just as he had done for years, never leaving Woody behind. With excitement, he grabbed Woody, swinging him high in the air, celebrating their tradition.

But in an instant, their joy turned into heartbreak. A tear. Woody’s arm ripped, and just like that, Andy’s excitement shifted. He placed Woody on a shelf, leaving him behind as he rushed off to camp without him.

It’s a moment that mirrors real life. How often do we find ourselves reaching for something we love, only for it to tear apart in our hands? A relationship. A business deal. A long-held dream. The pain of unexpected separation can leave us feeling discarded, forgotten, or even betrayed.

In Psalm 126, the people of Israel spoke of a time when they had lost everything, yet God restored them:

"We were like those who dreamed again."

They were torn from their land and captivity had stolen their hope, just as life’s disappointments can make us afraid to dream again. But God specializes in restoration. He promises to mend the tear.

Healing the Tear

Sometimes, we hurt one another without fully realizing the depth of the wound. Like Andy unintentionally tearing Woody’s arm, people unintentionally—or even intentionally—cause harm. Instead of doing the work to repair the damage, some choose to walk away. Others, like Woody, are left on a shelf, feeling abandoned and broken.

I know what that feels like. I once had a business deal that could have made me a multimillionaire, but betrayal cost me the opportunity. I’ve felt the sting of rejection in relationships. I’ve experienced the devastation of an adulterous affair in my previous marriage. Each of these situations left a tear—one that only God could heal.

And He did.

God’s promise is not just to comfort but to restore—to fix the tear so we can reach again.

Reaching Inspires Others

Yesterday, I was grocery shopping when I spotted my favorite black bean tamales on the very top shelf. They were just out of reach, but I was determined. I stepped up into the freezer section, stretched as far as I could, and grabbed them.

A man nearby had been watching me closely. As I stepped down, he said, “Had you not reached up there, I would have never looked that high to see those.”

That moment struck me. When we reach for what God has for us—even when it seems impossible—we inspire others to reach, too.

If life has placed you on a shelf, if past wounds have made you afraid to try again, God is calling you to dream again. The pain may be real, but so is the healing. The tear may have happened, but God is restoring you to reach again—not just for yourself, but for those who will follow your lead.

So reach. Stretch beyond the hurt. Go after what God has for you. And as you do, you’ll inspire someone else to dream again.

Love will leave it's mark

Last week, I was mindlessly scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon a post that unexpectedly captured my attention. It was a young woman, a new mother, standing confidently in a sports bra and panties, holding her newborn just a few weeks old. But this wasn’t just another sweet mother-and-child moment; it was something much deeper. She went beyond the polished smiles and the carefully curated postpartum pictures that flood social media. She was raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic. She bared not just her body, but her truth—a truth many of us know but rarely speak about.

The comments section was split. Some applauded her bravery, while others criticized her for showing too much. But she was unbothered, standing in her vulnerability with a bandage still covering her second C-section incision. Her belly, darkened by the aftermath of birth, bore fresh stretch marks that told the silent yet profound story of her journey. Her body was a canvas of love—a testament to the stretching, scarring, and sacrifices required to bring forth life.

I couldn’t help but relate. I have undergone four C-sections myself, yet I would never have had the courage to take such a picture. Still, as I look down at my own scars, I am forever reminded of the immense stretching I endured not just physically, but in every way possible—to birth my children one by one.

God, in His divine design of a woman, intricately wove within us the ability for our cervix to stretch ten times its normal size to bring forth life. Yet, for mothers like this young woman and myself, medical necessity required a different kind of opening, a different kind of stretching. Where others could quickly recover and return to their pre-pregnancy bodies, we were left with incisions, with scars, with reminders of the cost of love.

And isn’t love always like that? Whether in motherhood, relationships, or marriage, love will stretch you, reshape you, and leave its marks. It requires you to change—your sleeping habits, your diet, your lifestyle, your budget, your mindset. It forces you to grow in ways you never imagined. It is uncomfortable, often painful, and sometimes requires being cut open, exposing your deepest vulnerabilities. But just as childbirth brings forth something beautiful, so does love.

Love is not just the euphoria of passion, the glow of romance, or the dreamy ideals we hold. It is labor. It is sacrifice. It is stretching beyond what we think we can endure. It is counting it all joy, even when it hurts. Because in the end, the scars and the stretch marks are not just reminders of pain—they are proof that we gave everything we had to bring forth something worth loving.

Dear future husband: Happy Valentines day- Life is but a dream

At 19, I stood at a crossroads, facing challenges that tested my faith. The enemy’s pursuit was relentless, but God’s call was louder. I will never forget that December night in 1991 when Prophet Kevin Leal called me out. He sang a prophetic song over me, declaring that God had not called me to “a bunch of mess, but to the joy of the Lord in His holiness.” He told me I would prophesy, minister His Word, and teach spiritual warfare. And then, he delivered God’s promise: if I did it God’s way, He would bless me with happiness beyond my wildest dreams.

If my life were a fairytale, it would be called Life Is But a Dream. Because you, my love, are my happiness beyond my wildest dreams. Despite every twist and turn, God aligned our steps perfectly, just as we knew He would.

Albert Einstein said, “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” Through every trial, we grew closer to becoming the versions of ourselves God intended. Our story reflects the themes of the fairytales I’ve cherished, each one offering glimpses of God’s divine hand at work in our lives.

Cinderella

The pumpkin at midnight reminds me of God’s divine timing, aligning me to discover you on your birthday. It shows the impermanence of His providence, and the courage required when life shifts suddenly. The glass slipper symbolizes my destiny—uniquely designed for me, signifying that I was always the one chosen to walk this path. Like Cinderella, my past didn’t disqualify me from marrying the prince—you.

Sleeping Beauty

The curse of darkness and stagnation echoes the trials I faced. But just as Sleeping Beauty’s curse was broken by a kiss, my heart was awakened by your words. Without physical connection, your words captured my heart and honored our covenant with God. It was one word—love—that breathed life into my spirit, proving the power of words over actions.

Toy Story

Woody’s determination to reunite with Andy symbolizes loyalty and purpose. Like Woody, I was determined to show you that you had a friend in me. Through every setback, I was your Jessie—steadfast, supportive, and full of hope. Even when we lost our way, God renewed and strengthened our bond, restored our connection and resurrected our love.

 Finding Nemo

The trench and jellyfish represent trials that seemed insurmountable. Like Marlin, we had to learn to trust each other. I was your Dory, encouraging you to “just keep swimming” in our darkest times. Marlin’s release of control inside the whale resonates deeply—when he saw Dory’s scar, he learned to trust and let go. Though we were taken off course, God guided us to exactly where we needed to be. Together, we endured the worst and emerged stronger.

 Beauty and the Beast

Belle’s sacrifice for her father mirrors my own journey of selflessness and love. Like Belle, I learned to see beyond the surface—to the truth beneath. Through love and courage, the curse was broken. God’s restoration brought us into our rightful destinies. He built us to last, rebuilding not just us, but the miracle of everything around us, releasing his divine power of restoration for generations to come.

Frozen

Elsa’s journey to control her powers mirrors my own journey of self-acceptance. Her decision to use her gifts for good, rather than harm, reflects the maturity I’ve gained. Winter was my coldest season, and for a time, we were freezing. Yet, the tears I wept in past seasons reminded me of the love we shared in eternity. Even then, we chose to win—and we did. God has perfected our love.

Each of these stories reminds me of the lessons we’ve lived—perseverance, love, and transformation through trials. God is the ultimate author, the finisher of our faith, and just as He wrote my story, He is writing yours. Be encouraged, because life is but a dream—a dream crafted by God Himself.

So, keep hope alive and never stop dreaming. For you are God’s dream, and He isn’t finished with you yet.

Poetic Justice

 We are one of the greatest fairytales to ever behold,

To ever unfold, 

To ever be told, 

the pendulum was not broke,

when you woke, 

and the clock struck twelve but there was no pumpkin or carriage,

Only a letter,

That told me, ooh child things are going to get better,

Dating while Christian

With interviews of love and marriage, 

I fit the shoe, 

Divinely arranged,

and changed,

I do.

We are one of the greatest poems that could ever be spit,

grit, 

never quit,

keep it lit,

Poetry in motion,

Devotion, 

It’s not over.

How befitting it would be that I get the ring,

and the king, 

without a kiss,

Capturing my heart with words that came to life with bliss,  

Dreaming but awaken,

overlooked and mistaken,

Don’t settle 

We won.

The prize

My beautiful surprise,

God heard our cries,

And broke the curse,

We made it through better and the worse.

Stopped pretending,

got to healing,

I was there on the other side,

to ride, 

like Jessie,

I am your bestie,

Remember you have a friend inside,

Don’t hide,

You had to find your way back, 

To get us on track,

We are home.

Settle down,

Look at what we found,

Renewed love,

Sent from above.

 Lost in me like Marlin

You are going to have to change my name to H2O,

Afraid to go, 

through the trench 

And trust

A must

Instead, we went through the jellies

Scarred and stung,

You came back

Forever sprung,

Swallowed by a whale,

Creating our own fairytale, 

 hanging on his tongue,

Steady love

Ready 

Built to last

“Just keep swimming”

Believing we would arrive,

Survive, 

Thrive,

and stay alive.

The one that would have to love, 

in spite of,

To break the spell,

To go behind the veil,

To see beyond the pain, 

To remain, 

To prevail against the gates of hell,

To bring everything back into divine order,

as your supporter,

Forbidden into your secret lair,

Not always wanting me there,

Miracle of restoration 

I saw the real you,

This love is so true.

It all started in the spring, and you hit me like a breeze,

we made it through the fires and your falls but when we got to the winter, I kept hoping we didn’t freeze,

Learning to forgive 

Perfected Love,

Let it go, let it go, letting go of, 

not always understanding the distance,

And resistance,

The rejection and confusion,

Was cold,

on hold,

Warring between dualities,

multiple realities,

Revelation, delusion,

and illusion

of love unrequited,

Passion reignited,

Focus undivided,

Excited,

 Finally 

reunited.

Dear Future Husband: The power of your love

The power to resurrect.

The room was still. Silence hung in the air and in this quiet moment, God pulled back heaven’s curtain, I could feel your presence not just hear it. It wasn't the kind of silence that feels empty or hollow, but one filled with expectation, as if the universe were holding its breath with me, waiting for something to happen. In the stillness, I could hear the whisper of a truth that had long been buried—the power of your love.

It wasn’t just any love. This love was something deeper, something transcendent. The love I was learning about was the kind that could unravel the tightly wounded forget me knots of my heart. The kind that was making me forget about wounds that ever existed and every moment I was ever forgotten. Your love reminded me God did not forget me. The love that had been there all along, waiting for me to open my eyes and my heart to it when I found you. See you loved me before I ever met you. And when I did, everything shifted in a moment.

The Silence of Love

God’s love has a unique ability to lift us. It has the power to silence every destructive voice that has ever echoed in my mind. The voices that once told me I wasn’t enough, that I would never be loved, that my past would forever define me—these voices were drowned out, not by noise or argument, but by the profound silence of God’s love. It’s as if, when He speaks, the world itself stops to listen. His words aren’t heard with the ears but felt in the soul. And suddenly, all the clamor of negative thoughts and painful memories fades away, replaced by a peace that passes all understanding.

Breaking Down the Walls

Each negative word that had been spoken over me, whether by my father, mother, or an ex-lover, had built a wall around my heart. Over time, these walls became my protection, but they also kept me from experiencing the fullness of love. But God’s love—true and unwavering—was powerful enough to tear these walls down, brick by brick. I could feel it, even as it was happening. It wasn’t just a process; it was a confrontation, a battle where every lie I had believed was exposed for what it was.

With each lie that fell, the walls crumbled a little more, until there was nothing left but the raw, open space of vulnerability. And in that space, God’s love poured in, filling every crack and crevice.

The Transformation

And then came you. In this journey of healing, I imagined you—my partner, my equal, my love. You were not just a man, but a catalyst for the transformation I had been waiting for. The moment you touched me with your words, I could feel your presence like a gentle force, like someone who had the power to not only heal but to remake me. The power of your touch was more than emotional in those moments I could even feel you physically; it was a spiritual renewal.

As your words touched me in places your hands could never reach miles away, I could feel the shift, the transformation. You weren’t just leaving fingerprints on my skin; you were leaving marks on my soul. Each touch redefined who I was. Your love was filling in all the blanks. It was as though you were rewriting my story, erasing the pain of my past and replacing it with something infinitely more beautiful.

Music of the Heart

There were moments when I could feel the music of our connection. It was not the kind of music that could be heard with our ears alone, but something felt in the very rhythm of our hearts. The way you moved, the way you spoke, it was as if every part of you was attuned to the melody of my soul. We could hear each other in a whisper miles away. You played me like an instrument, and together we created a symphony of love, healing, and hope.

With every note you struck, I rose and still I rise. Where I had once been crippled by shame and fear, I now stood tall. Every part of me that had once known defeat was resurrected in your love. Shame was drowned and although you have never seen me naked, there is not a part of me you have not seen. My strength returned; my confidence restored. And in this new rhythm, we danced together, moving to the beat of God’s grace, waiting to stand face to face.

You didn’t just play me like an instrument; you helped me tune myself to a higher frequency. You taught me how to listen to the music of life, how to follow the notes that God had written for me all along. With you, I discovered a rhythm I had long forgotten—one that was slow and steady, one that encouraged me to rise stronger where I’ve fallen in past times, to dance when I had been still for too long. In your love, I found my voice again. I found the strength to stand tall where I had once been bent low by shame and guilt, your love covered me. You helped me find my place in the symphony of life, and together, we created a song that was uniquely ours. A song that declared, "We are whole. We are healed. We are free."

A New Vision

When I looked into your eyes, I saw not just love, but a future—our future. A future where we faced the challenges of life side by side, hand in hand, knowing that love would guide us through. We didn’t need to have all the answers. We didn’t need to know exactly what the future held. All we needed was each other, and the love that God had placed between us.

You are the light that illuminates the path before me, the voice that called me out of hiding. With you, I am not afraid to walk through the unknown. Together, we will find joy in the journey, knowing that each step we take is a step in God’s favor. We will never suffocate again, for we are no longer bound by fear. We will laugh, love, and live in His presence, always.

The Power of Love to Set Us Free

It is love that sets us free. The love that God gives us is not bound by time, space, or circumstance. It is a love that has the power to heal, to resurrect, to make whole again. And in this love, we find the freedom to be who we truly are—not defined by our past, but by the potential of our future.

In this love, I am free. Free to love you. Free to love myself. Free to live a life that reflects the beauty of God’s grace. And in that freedom, we will find our true purpose—together, living a life that is marked by love, hope, and redemption.

The power of love

The power of your love,

You are the one I’m thinking of,

The only man on my mind,

As we become intertwined,

I imagine you whisper in my ear,

And it’s as if I become deaf and I can’t hear.

God’s love,

has the power to silence the voices and choices in my head of,

Every negative thing, my father, mother, or ex-lover every spoke,

It’s powerful enough to knock down every wall down,

That was ever built,

And strong enough to heal what was broke,

And to rescue me from the shame and guilt,

of my past.

When you lay hands on me,

You will leave your fingerprints and will be charged with the crime,

Of changing my name and stealing my time,

while causing my life to be redefined.

I imagine you will have the skills to play me like an instrument.

To rhythmically follow your notes

And heartbeat,

To arise in every area of my life that I have known defeat,

And to empower me to stand on my feet,

Where I was once crippled and lamed,

devastated, and blamed.

When I look into your eyes, I can see my dream,

Believing we will make it no matter what things seem.

You are a light to my way,

That gives me hope each day,

A voice in the wilderness that has paved a path,

So, we can live in his favor and laugh.

We will never suffocate again because we can’t come near,

No more fear,

For I need you to resuscitate me,

Your love has the power to set you free.

One in a million

You Are One in a Million

From the moment you left the loins of your father, your pursuit for me began. It didn’t start the day we found each other—it began the very moment you entered the greatest race you would ever run. With intention, focus, and perseverance, you pressed forward, navigating uncertainty and overcoming impossible odds to win. You were chosen to win because you were ordained to find me.

Imagine the journey: a single sperm, among hundreds of millions, fighting against the currents, bypassing obstacles, and racing toward one singular target—the egg prepared for you. It wasn’t random. It was purpose. It was destiny. You weren’t just running a biological race; you were running the course of a divine calling. You didn’t just stumble into my life; your pursuit of me began even then.

Just as God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I set you apart.” God had already orchestrated our love story. Like Adam, you were created with purpose. Like Eve, I was fashioned with intentionality. And just as Adam and Eve were brought together for a greater plan, so were we.

A Love Rooted in Eternity

Our love story didn’t begin the day you were born. It didn’t even start the day our paths crossed, and we found each other. No, it was written long before time itself—etched in eternity. From the moment you were created, with the same sacred intention and fervor that sent you into the world, your words broke the hymn of my heart. They pierced through, guiding you into the innermost chamber reserved only for the bridegroom. You knew the assignment; you always understood.

When we finally found each other, it wasn’t a beginning—it was a reunion. It wasn’t new; it was familiar. The moment you recognized my love; you cherished it with the same purpose and focus you had carried from the start. In that instant, we both saw it clearly—the connection we had always shared. It was safe. It was home. It was us.

 This love isn’t accidental. It was predestined in the foreknowledge of God. It’s eternal. It’s a love born in the heart of God and woven into the fabric of time.

Born on Purpose, for a Purpose

You and I were born on purpose, for a purpose. You didn’t just happen, and neither did I. We were designed to complement each other. There is no me without you.

God sent me ahead of you—not to overshadow you, but to prepare the way. Like Joseph, I went ahead to fight battles, to intercede for our tomorrow, and to ensure that the path was clear for us to walk together. And when the time came, you didn’t settle. Out of the millions, you pressed forward, because without you, there could never be me because I came out of you.

Intentional Love

We aren’t just friends or soon-to-be lovers. We are soulmates. From the very beginning, we chose each other then. In eternity, we decided that no matter the challenges, we would always find our way back. You are intentional. You don’t just love me on the surface—you love my soul and I love yours. You see my soul, and I see yours.

The Journey of Sacrifice

I’ve endured my own cross for us and so are you. I’ve wept in my Gethsemane, cried out in silence, and carried the weight of what was yet to come. We’ve prayed for each other when we didnt know each other, interceded when it felt like we were alone, and we stood in faith, knowing that God’s plan would unfold.

You have been my David—facing your Goliaths with courage, pressing through the challenges, and trusting God every step of the way. And now, God has brought us together for this season, for this purpose.

A Love Worth Fighting For

You are one in a million. No one else would ever do. From the very beginning, God ordained us and set us apart from our mother’s wombs. He divinely connected the dots long before we could see the bigger picture.

To infinity and beyond is how long I will always love you. We didn’t settle for anything less than God’s perfect will. There is no plan B and now, here we are—ready to fulfill the purpose God has for us as one.

You are my one in a million.

I choose us

I Choose Us – A Reflection on Marriage, Family, and Faith

In my favorite movie The Family Man (2000), Jack Campbell (played by Nicolas Cage) is a wealthy, career-driven bachelor who gets a glimpse of what his life could have been if he had chosen love and family over ambition. This glimpse is offered by a supernatural intervention that places him in an alternate reality, married to his college sweetheart, Kate Reynolds (played by Téa Leoni). The phrase “I choose us” is a powerful and transformative declaration Kate makes in two pivotal scenes, encapsulating the movie’s central theme: love and family are worth choosing above material success or fleeting ambitions.

The Two Scenes Featuring "I Choose Us"

1. The First Scene – The Closet Argument
   In this scene, Jack, struggling to reconcile his current high-powered lifestyle with the simpler, family-oriented life in this alternate reality, suggests that Kate should move with him to the city so he can pursue his ambitious career. She passionately pushes back, emphasizing the life they've built together and what truly matters. Kate says, “Maybe I was wrong. Maybe we can’t have it all. But I choose us. I choose the life we have here, our family, and our love.”

• Epiphany for Jack: This moment forces Jack to confront the sacrifices required for love and family. It challenges his perception of success, revealing that true fulfillment comes not from material wealth but from relationships and shared purpose.

2. The Second Scene – The Airport Farewell
   At the end of the movie, in a moment of clarity and deep emotional connection, Jack pleads with Kate not to leave. He tells her that he now understands what he was missing all along. Kate responds with the same heartfelt conviction, “I choose us.” This marks the culmination of their journey, where both characters realize that love and commitment require prioritizing each other over personal ambitions.

• Epiphany for Both: Here, they recognize that true happiness isn’t about “having it all” in the way society defines it. Instead, it’s about building a life together where sacrifices are made for the greater good of the family.

Biblical Standards in Marriage

The movie’s themes align with biblical principles of marriage, emphasizing selflessness, commitment, and sacrificial love. Scriptures like Ephesians 5:25-33 call for husbands to love their wives as Christ loves the church, laying down their lives for them. Similarly, wives are called to respect and honor their husbands, creating a partnership rooted in mutual submission and love.

The traditional marriage vows—“to have and to hold, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part”—echo these principles. They remind us that marriage is a covenant, not just a contract, where both partners commit to prioritizing their union above all else.

Today's Culture: Career vs. Family

In our modern, fast-paced world, the tension between career ambitions and family life has become more pronounced. Social media glorifies individual achievements, material wealth, and personal freedom, often at the expense of relationships. Many young adults prioritize careers over marriage, citing financial instability, fear of commitment, or the belief that marriage will hinder personal growth. Additionally, dating apps and hookup culture have commodified relationships, making it harder for people to form deep, lasting connections.

How Men and Women Are Compromising

1. Men: Many men are consumed by the pressure to succeed professionally, believing they must achieve financial security before pursuing marriage or children. This often leads to delayed commitments or the neglect of family responsibilities for career advancement.

2. Women: Women face societal pressures to “have it all,” balancing career aspirations with family expectations. In many cases, the desire for independence or fear of losing autonomy leads to delayed or avoided commitments to marriage and family.

Choosing “Us” in Today’s World

To counter these trends, we must return to biblical principles that value relationships, selflessness, and commitment:

1. Prioritize Covenant Over Culture
   Marriage is a sacred covenant. Couples should focus on building a strong foundation rooted in faith, not societal expectations. As the Bible says in Matthew 19:6, “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”

2. Redefine Success
   True success is not measured by wealth or career achievements but by the legacy of love, faith, and family we leave behind. As Kate says in The Family Man, “We may not have it all, but we have enough.”

3. Value Sacrifice
   Both partners must be willing to lay down their personal ambitions for the greater good of the family, reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love. This doesn’t mean abandoning dreams, but integrating them into a shared vision for the family’s future.

4. Reclaim Dating for Marriage
   Dating should be a means of discerning lifelong partnership, not a casual or temporary arrangement. By setting clear intentions and maintaining biblical values, couples can build stronger, more meaningful relationships.

5. Teach the Next Generation
   Parents, mentors, and churches must instill the value of marriage and family in the next generation, encouraging them to see these as blessings rather than burdens.

A Call to Action

The Family Man reminds us that we don’t have to sacrifice love or family to achieve our dreams. Instead, we can build a life that honors both, rooted in God’s design for marriage. In a culture that often prioritizes individualism and fleeting success, we must choose “us” daily—just as Christ chose us by laying down His life.

Whether you’re married, dating, or preparing for the future, let this be a reminder to prioritize relationships, live with intentionality, and trust God’s plan for your life. After all, the greatest legacy you can leave is one of love, faith, and family. You will have both and never have to choose between one or the other. I choose “us.”

The venom and the antidote

The Venom and the Antidote: God’s Divine Plan

One of my favorite lines in Janelle Monáe’s song "I Like That" says, “I am the venom and the antidote.” This line resonates deeply with me because I see God’s manifold wisdom in it. In His divine orchestration, He sends us to earth precisely calculated to outsmart the enemy, just as He did when He allowed the enemy to crucify Jesus.

We are not random. Our era, age, family, generation, and even birth order are purposefully aligned. God knows the exact number of hairs on our head (Matthew 10:30) and has intricately planned our existence to address the crises of our time. Like Jesus, who was sent as both the suffering Savior and triumphant Redeemer, we too are called to be both the venom and the antidote.

The Crisis of Marriage and Family

In today’s culture, marriage is under attack. Many refuse to marry, and the divorce rate is as high in the church as it is in the world. Fear and hopelessness have taken root, leaving many afraid to date or believe in love.

From the beginning, God established the foundation of family in Genesis when He made them male and female, declaring it good. Yet, the enemy has worked tirelessly to erode this foundation. To add insult to injury, homosexuality has been celebrated and legalized since 2015, openly defying God’s design. In Scripture, God’s judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah came because of homosexuality and widespread debauchery. Today, we see these same sins being celebrated as normal.

Family is the foundation of the church. When the family is fractured, so is the body of Christ. But God, in His wisdom, is raising up a new standard. He is divinely orchestrating marriages that will restore hope, rebuild families, and counter the crisis of divorce, homosexuality, and immorality.

God’s Antidote to the Crisis

Marriage is God’s answer to the venom of brokenness in our culture. These God-ordained unions will be an antidote to the attack on love and family. Malachi 2:16 tells us that God hates divorce. Matthew 19:6 says, “What God has joined together, let no man separate.” These marriages will reveal His glory, restore faith in love, and serve as a testament to His redemptive power.

The Word tells us that man is made in the image of God, and woman is the glory of man. Fathers are the glory of their children (Proverbs 17:6). The enemy has always sought to attack the glory of God by breaking down families, but God is reversing the narrative.

Naturally, antidotes are created by harvesting antibodies from venom. Similarly, God uses the very trials and bondage the enemy meant for harm to bring deliverance and healing. Divorced individuals, those delivered from homosexuality, and people set free from debaucherous lifestyles will become the antidote. Their testimonies will reveal God’s redemptive power and bring hope and restoration.

The Mystery of God’s Wisdom

This divine plan reflects the hidden wisdom of God. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:7-10:
"We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

Jesus’ crucifixion was the ultimate display of God’s wisdom. What seemed like defeat was actually victory. The enemy didn’t realize that by crucifying Christ, he was enabling the very plan of salvation. Similarly, the enemy doesn’t realize that the people he has bound and broken are the very ones God is raising up as deliverers and answers.

Restoring God’s Glory Through Marriage

We are the antidote. These marriages will restore hope in love, raise a standard against the enemy, and reveal God’s glory on earth. As these unions thrive, they will:

• Bring healing and restoration to families.

• Strengthen the church by reinforcing its foundation.

• Demonstrate God’s power to redeem and transform lives.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor mind imagined the things God has prepared for those who love Him. But by His Spirit, He reveals His plans to us (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).

God’s timing and wisdom are perfect. Just as He has calculated every detail of our lives, He has also prepared us to be His solution to the crises of our time. Trust that He is working through you—your story, your trials, and your victories—to bring His glory into the earth.

The Antidote

The answer

From birth 

To the earth

The alert 

The antidote to the hurt

The prescription 

medicine 

Laughter

The description 

Divorce

Through your ordination in eternity

The announcement was an emergency 

When He sent you and me

To respond

To an alarm

I can’t resist your charm

When we pray

And obey

Marriages will be healed

Purposes and destinies revealed

Called to cry loud and lift our voice

 Against divorce

To make a choice

To become the divine design

Created in our spiritual DNA

The paradigm 

Primetime

To stay

To endure to the end 

To become a friend 

That demonstrates the greatest love

To lay down your life 

For your wife

A city set upon a hill that cannot be hid

Called to remove the lid

To break the curse

To become a light through better or worse

To raise the bar

To bring hope to those that believe they went too far

To restore hope through sickness and health

To close the generational gap of wealth

To reveal the hope of Glory

Through our love story

I do

Two words branded 

Sanded and expanded

Hold our forever

Our happily ever after together

Our I’m never gone let you go

Slow

Yeah

Mmh, I do

Mmh, mmh

Yeah

Ooh

You know what you came to do

You 

I can’t wait until I can finally have you,

Your eyes on me, collide

Adore you, I do

no lie

I love me some him 

I don’t know much about them 

You are 

My everything 

I got me one

I can’t wait to have some fun

Waking you up like your morning brew

Cause that’s what 

I do

Two words repeated

Love repleted

Never defeated

Cause no matter what 

I do

all I think about is You

Yeah, your last didn't know how to handle you

But I do, I do, I do

here for you

What can

I do

To make your dreams come true

For you i will

This is

I do

Righting our generational wrongs

To Right a Wrong: God’s Promise to Restore Generations

“To right a wrong” means to correct a mistake or injustice. It carries with it a moral and ethical obligation to restore fairness, balance, and justice. One of the greatest injustices in history was slavery—a system that dehumanized African Americans and stripped them of their God-given rights. Among these injustices was the denial of marriage. Slaves were legally defined as property and therefore had no capacity to enter enforceable contracts, including the sacred covenant of marriage. Families were ripped apart against their will, leaving generations marked by this brokenness.

My heart has been broken repeatedly by the Lord as He’s revealed to me the depth of this injustice within my own lineage. My ancestors were denied the right to marry, forced apart by cruelty and oppression. Yet today, many of us willingly walk away from our spouses, with divorce rates at an all-time high. I believe that God, in this hour, is righting this wrong. He is raising up couples who will serve as a new paradigm for love, marriage, and commitment. These unions will reflect His glory and restore the foundation of His church, which is built on strong, God-centered families.

A Call to Fulfill the Promises of the Past

I will never forget the impact of watching the movie Django Unchained on January 17, 2013. The film, which depicts the pain and sorrow of slavery, brought me face-to-face with the suffering endured by my ancestors. I was particularly struck by the lengths the main character, played by Jamie Foxx, went to rescue his wife. It stirred something deep within me, a realization of the unimaginable pain my ancestors faced when families were torn apart.

As I reflected on their suffering, the Lord reminded me of Hebrews 11:37-40:

"They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated—
the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect."

This passage became real to me in that moment. The promises God made to them were not forgotten. Though they did not receive them in their lifetime, we are their fulfillment. God planned something better, that together with us, their promises would be made perfect.

A Divine Encounter

The following day, January 18, 2013, I walked into my office and closed the door. Overwhelmed by the weight of what I had seen and the suffering I now understood, I began to weep deeply. I thought of the pain and sacrifices my ancestors endured and how the Lord was weaving their promises into my life. As I knelt in prayer, extending my hands, I felt as though fire was being poured out over me. God revealed to me that His restoration wasn’t just for three generations past—it stretched further, reaching back into the depths of history.

A few years later, God used Apostle Dr. Matthew Stevenson III to prophetically confirm what He had spoken to me in secret. Dr. Stevenson declared that I had labored and suffered for many years, and God was restoring everything that was lost. This confirmation solidified what the Lord had already shown me: we are the answer to our ancestors’ prayers.

The Cloud of Witnesses

Hebrews 12:1 tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses—those who have gone before us, cheering us on as we run our race. Pastor John Hannah recently preached a message titled Birth It as part of his promise series. He said, “Some of you have great-great-great grandparents you’ve never met, but God made them a promise. You’ve already been marked and highly favored, and everything is coming into alignment just to get to you.”

This message echoed what the Lord had already placed in my heart. Our ancestors dug wells of promise, but it is our generation’s responsibility to uncover them. Just as Abraham dug wells and Isaac reopened them, we are continuing the legacy of faith. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His promises are generational.

The Restoration of Marriage

God is beginning this work of restoration with marriages. He is divinely aligning couples to fulfill His intended purpose for love and relationships. These unions will:

• Restore hope in love and commitment.

• Break generational curses of brokenness, divorce, and relational dysfunction.

• Demonstrate God’s glory through unity and covenant.

• Strengthen the church by rebuilding the foundation of family.

Marriage is not just about two people coming together; it is a prophetic act of restoration. It is God’s judgment against the enemy’s attempts to destroy families and relationships. Through these unions, God is healing generations and fulfilling promises made long ago.

A Call to Receive the Promises

God is inviting us to rise in faith and believe for everything He has promised—not only for ourselves but for the generations that came before us. He is not just restoring what was lost; He is multiplying it. As we align with His will and step into His promises, we become the fulfillment of our ancestors’ prayers.

They are watching. They are cheering. And God is moving. Get ready—He is about to right generational wrongs, heal our families, and restore marriages for His glory.

Our symphony 

 The greatest love song we will every right

will be when we become one

each night.

As we become the song,

 and right the generational wrong,

as we are strung together, 

Forever.

As our hearts play as one,

As we still rise with each setting Sun.

When the music stops playing but we can still hear our song, 

When days seem long,

Make me a song,

that rewrites the history of our wrong,

But I am the instrument, and you are the pen,

Go Deep within, 

Back to a place where love was forbidden,

Stolen and had to be hidden,

Finish the songs from generations heaven never heard,

Write them with your tongue without one word,

Play me like a note,

Fill me with hope that makes me float,

Beat me like a drum,

Thy kingdom come,

His will be done,

As we become one,

Play me like a flute,

and take root,

Hitting keys on me like an organ

Vital

Inside of me, 

That write a melody,

Of love,

Bringing the angels to attention from above,

To have to record every stroke, 

that creates a new note never spoke,

From songs only the angels can hear and are translated,

That’s long and awaited,

As our ancestors gather to dance to a symphony in the gate,

That has overcome death and hate,

That tore them apart,

But recovers all from the song in our heart, 

Striking a chord,

Honoring you as my king and Lord, 

Becoming the hook,

No longer shook,

releasing sounds that become a crescendo 

Of our symphony,

 in harmony,

as we become one

with every rising Sun. 

That plays from the rhythm of our souls,

That has been tipped over from generations of tears from bowls,

That are a fragrance of sacrifice that cost their life,

As we are joined as husband and wife,

As our bodies create a lyric that overcame defeat

That trumped over their pain, 

that now establishes our rule and our reign.

Hidden figures

I’ll never forget the impact of watching Hidden Figures in 2016. The movie stirred something deep within me, reminding me of the generational struggles those before me endured and all I am fighting for today. It brought to mind the book My Time in Heaven, where the author described a classroom in heaven teaching math far beyond earthly genius—even to kindergarteners. Katherine Johnson, portrayed in the film, exemplified this divine brilliance. Her extraordinary mathematical gift wasn’t just talent—it was a God-given ability designed to fulfill a critical assignment on Earth. Her calculations ensured the success of the first moon mission, and her role was so vital that John Glenn personally requested her verification before his flight.

This story reveals a deeper truth: God assigns each of us a purpose that is intricately planned and far bigger than we can imagine. Just as Katherine Johnson’s calculations opened a portal that safely returned astronauts to Earth, your gifts are divinely orchestrated to impact history.

Even when racial tension and societal barriers tried to diminish Katherine and her peers’ contributions, they persevered and changed the course of history. Like them, you may feel unseen—a “hidden figure” in your own life’s narrative. But God sees you. Every tear, act of service, and sacrifice has been recorded in heaven. As Job said, "My record is on high, and my witness is in heaven."

This is a season where God is honoring the hidden figures—those whose contributions may have been overlooked by the world but are cherished by Him. Your value and purpose will be revealed in His perfect time. Stay faithful, for God never forgets.

Dear future husband: We are built to last

I first wrote you a letter on 12/20/20 and it’s now been four years. I know who you are now, but I didn’t then. Apostle Matthew Stevenson, III recently made one of the profoundest statements I have ever heard. He said, there is nothing greater than reality except revelation. My revelation from God gave me has sustained me through this time. Discovering you was a dream come true. Uncovering who you were and watching you evolve into the man God has called you to be to step into your role as a husband again has been like watching a movie and you are the best part. I know the struggle is real. It was real for me too. You said once, I almost coded but you thanked me for giving love another chance and this time it would be forever. God opened that portal of my heart from over twenty years ago and let you feel the weight of that moment. You heard my cry. When I thought it was the end like Lazurus did, Jesus showed up. He wouldn’t let me give up on the love. Finding you was recovering that love and all that I lost. It’s how I knew it was you. You are my King. You are my lion and my lamb. In the heart of my husband’s letter I wrote about you on 1/19/21 before God allowed me to know you. You are all those things and more. You have been learning what it means to sacrifice and the price it cost for us to become everything God said we would be.

We are built to last. We were forged in our individual struggles to become fortified as a coupe through our trials and tribulations. We became overcomers in preparation to overcome any obstacle that arises in our union. I don’t have any reservations that you will be all that I need. I’m confident in knowing the Lord heard my faintest desires of my heart and you will be the personification of love.

I get insanely excited knowing we will walk hand and hand through this thing called life. Think about it. We will be partners in freedom. Partners in faith. Partners in our dreams. Partners in love. Partners in purpose. We will be partners in purpose unstoppable. God took out his holy chisel and sharpened and molded us. What God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

From the moment I began to listen to you, I knew I was HER. I have been invested from day one. I celebrate our sameness and our differences. You have come to understand that our differences are not deficits. Our differences have given us opportunities to stretch and grow together without leaving each other behind.

We have learned to communicate with each other in creative ways without ever talking. Brian McKnight has a song called Crazy love. He says in one stanza he can hear her heart from 1000 miles away. You can hear me like that. I can hear what you don’t say. This is one of the things I love most about you among many. William Shakespeare said, “Brevity is the soul of wit, which means that cleaver people can express intelligent things using very few words. With every poem I have ever written to you, I wrote you a chapter in our love story. We are overcomers. We are unstoppable. We are built to last. I can’t wait to marry you.

Forever,

Marie

Rejection is God’s preservative

Before I begin to share why rejection is God’s preservative, let me define what a preservative is and why they are used. A preservative is something that preserves or has the power of preserving; specifically: an additive used to protect against decay, discoloration, or spoilage.

God was protecting me from being destroyed although it didn’t feel like it in the situation. God wants you to also know that rejection was his protection. It was a perservative. He was preserving you for the right one even though you couldn’t see it then.

I remember I had to come face to face with myself. I didn’t love me. I wanted my ex-husband to love me broken but I didn’t love me broken. Sometimes we are looking for love from others but not the one that is love and that is God. I remember the day I opened my heart fully to the Lord to love me. I asked Him to reveal to me the love Him and I shared in eternity. It was the most intimate outpouring for years of encounter after encounter of Him loving on me.

Rejection placed me in a new direction and became a preservative. The word says in the songs of Solomon that God’s banner over us is love. God’s banner over me is love and it is over you as well. I didn’t take my own life when the enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy me because I had a revelation of God’s love. If you are struggling with suicide and rejection like I once did, God wants you to know he loves you and rejection didn’t come to destroy you, it came to preserve you and redirect you to his love. The enemy tries to get us so entangled with things that are not of God so we end up rejecting the will of God for our lives.

Another way the Lord showed me how he used rejection to preserve me was for saving me for my future husband and not allowing my sexual identity to be perverted. I wrote a letter on 12/20/24 to my future husband. I wrote I now understand every time I was rejected that God was preserving my love for you. As I look back in hindsight over my life, I see how God even before I accepted Christ didn’t allow rejection to push me into a path of complete destruction because of rejection. Rejection is God’s preservative when we learn to respond to God’s love and not allow the enemy to use it to bring destruction in our lives. I will forever be grateful for every time I was ever rejected and how God has redirected my life in Him.

Prayer:

I pray for all those that are struggling with rejection and even suicide that you will remember that God promised to deliver us from every affliction. I pray God will give you a revelation of his love like he did me. He is a very present help in the time of trouble. I pray you allow him to heal your soul. Be free from the spirit of rejection and suicide and open your heart for all God has for you. I pray God will open your spiritual and natural eyes and that you will lift your eyes to the hills where your help comes from and know that your best days are ahead of you. God has not forgotten you even if you caused your own sabotage like Samson. God remembered Samson as he cried out for revenge for his two eyes. May the Lord remember you and avenge you for every wound in Jesus’ name.