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 takes us the long way around. His promises are generational, His word is sure, and His timing is never off. In Genesis 15:13–16, God told 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.”

That promise wasn’t for Abraham alone. It stretched four generations forward. By the time the children of Israel came out of Egypt with Moses, they were walking in something God had spoken long before they were born.

What God didn’t tell them, though, was that there would be giants in the promised land. He didn’t tell them they’d have to fight to possess what He had already given.

When the Promise Requires a Fight

We often celebrate the promise but forget that possession requires process — and sometimes a fight. How many of us have walked away from relationships, businesses, or dreams simply because the journey got hard?

The Israelites faced the same temptation. After God split the Red Sea and delivered them with miracles, He didn’t take them on the shortest route to Canaan. Instead, Exodus 13:17–18 says,

“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. The wilderness was His training ground — a place to humble, test, and reveal what was really in their hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2). It wasn’t punishment. It was preparation.

Waiting for the Promise

In the year 2000, God gave me a glimpse of my future — much like He allowed the Israelites to spy out the promised land. It was so vivid that I believed it would happen immediately. But, like Abraham who waited twenty-five years for Isaac, I’ve spent nearly that long waiting on prophecies spoken over my life since I was eighteen.

At the close of 2024, I found myself wrestling with disappointment. I had believed that 2023 was the year my promise would finally manifest — yet it hadn’t. In that moment of questioning, God gently reminded me of a prophetic word I received back in April 2021:

“You will enter your great harvest in 2025.”

Suddenly, it made sense. The waiting wasn’t wasted — it was womb time. God wasn’t denying me; He was developing me.

There have been moments where hope felt deferred, and my heart grew weary. But through every delay, I’ve learned that delay is not denial. God has been refining my faith, healing my heart, and preparing me for what I once thought I was ready for.

Refined Through the Fire

Recently, I received confirmation through a prophetic word from Prophet Tomi Arayomi and the RIG Nation prophetic team. They spoke that I had been through the fire, endured the tests, and come out as pure gold. That word hit my spirit — because I knew it wasn’t just about me.

This season of refinement wasn’t just for my breakthrough; it was for those I’m called to help break through. Every detour, delay, and disappointment has been part of God’s equation for destiny.

Just as He took Israel the long way to strengthen their faith, He allowed me to walk through a prolonged journey to deepen my roots and mature my trust.

God’s Faithfulness Across Generations

God’s promises don’t die with delay — they stretch through generations. What He spoke to Abraham, He fulfilled through Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. And the same God who kept His word then is still faithful now.

So if you find yourself on the long route, take heart. God hasn’t forgotten you. The waiting is not wasted. The testing is not punishment. It’s preparation.

You’re being humbled, strengthened, and equipped to carry the very promise you’ve been praying for.

Hold on — because the long route is still leading you home. And when you arrive, you won’t come empty-handed. You’ll come out with power, wisdom, and great possessions.

God’s timing is perfect. His word never returns void. And His faithfulness doesn’t skip generations — it continues through them.

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 one of my favorite movies, The Family Man (2000), Jack Campbell (played by Nicolas Cage) is a wealthy, career-driven bachelor who suddenly gets a glimpse of what his life could have been if he had chosen love and family over ambition. A divine intervention allows him to experience an alternate reality where he’s married to his college sweetheart, Kate Reynolds (Téa Leoni). The phrase “I choose us” becomes the film’s heartbeat—spoken by Kate in two pivotal scenes. It’s more than a romantic declaration; it’s a reminder that love and family are worth choosing above success and ambition.

The First Scene – The Closet Argument

In the first scene, Jack struggles to reconcile his high-powered ambitions with his new family-centered life. He tries convincing Kate to move to the city so he can chase his career. Kate stands her ground, saying, “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.”

That moment becomes Jack’s awakening. It forces him to confront what real success looks like—realizing that fulfillment isn’t found in titles, money, or power, but in love, connection, and shared purpose.

The Second Scene – The Airport Farewell

By the end of the movie, Jack finally understands what he lost when he chose ambition over love. In a desperate attempt to make things right, he pleads with Kate not to walk away. She looks at him, full of emotion, and repeats, “I choose us.”

This moment captures the film’s redemption arc—both Jack and Kate realizing that happiness isn’t about “having it all.” True joy comes from prioritizing love and commitment over personal ambition.

Biblical Standards in Marriage

The themes in The Family Man echo the heart of biblical marriage. Ephesians 5:25-33 calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church—sacrificially, selflessly, and with devotion. Wives, in turn, are called to respect and honor their husbands, creating a partnership rooted in love and mutual submission.

Marriage is not a mere contract; it’s a covenant—an unbreakable bond before God. The vows “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health” remind us that love is a daily choice, not a fleeting emotion.

Today’s Culture: Career vs. Family

In today’s culture, career ambition often overshadows commitment. Social media glorifies hustle culture, wealth, and independence, while relationships are treated as optional or temporary. Many men delay marriage until they feel “financially ready,” while women are told to “have it all” even if it means putting love last. The result? A generation chasing fulfillment but feeling emptier than ever.

Choosing ‘Us’ in Today’s World

To reclaim God’s design for love and family, we must:

1. Prioritize Covenant Over Culture – Marriage is sacred. Build your foundation on faith, not social trends. “What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6).

2. Redefine Success – True success isn’t about wealth but about the legacy of love, faith, and family we leave behind.

3. Value Sacrifice – Love means laying down personal ambition for shared purpose, just as Christ did for us.

4. Reclaim Dating for Marriage – Date with intention, not convenience. Seek God’s plan, not the world’s patterns.

5. Teach the Next Generation – Model and teach that marriage and family are blessings, not burdens.

A Call to Action

The Family Man reminds us that we don’t have to choose between love and purpose. God can weave both together beautifully when we align our hearts with His design. In a world that celebrates independence, may we boldly declare, “I choose us.”

Whether you’re married, single, or preparing for your future, remember—love is not weakness, and family is not a distraction. They are divine assignments. True legacy isn’t built on platforms or bank accounts; it’s built around dinner tables, prayer times, and generations who know what it means to choose each other.

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 in Honor: When You’re Called Less but Chosen for More

There’s a sacred strength in a woman who knows who she is—who knows who God called her to be—and still chooses to honor even when she’s hidden. That’s the story of Sarah. That’s the story of Katherine Johnson. And that’s the story of so many women today who are quietly walking out destiny behind the scenes, uncelebrated but seen by God.

In Hidden Figures, Katherine Johnson’s genius helped send a man into orbit and bring him safely home. Her calculations were divine, her purpose ordained. Yet for years, her brilliance went unrecognized. She worked in the shadows, solving equations no one else could, while others stood in the spotlight. Katherine was hidden—but not forgotten.

Sarah was too.

Twice in Scripture, Abraham—her husband, her leader, God’s chosen man—called her his sister out of fear. He misnamed her to protect himself, leaving her vulnerable in foreign places. Yet Sarah didn’t rebel; she trusted God to defend her. She honored Abraham’s position even when he failed to see her identity.

What a paradox—both Katherine and Sarah carried heaven’s assignment but walked through seasons of being unseen. Their stories remind us that being hidden doesn’t mean being denied. Sometimes, it’s God’s way of protecting the promise.

Hidden Doesn’t Mean Forgotten

Maybe you’ve been faithful in a relationship, in ministry, or in business, yet feel unseen or mislabeled. Maybe he calls you “friend” when God already whispered “wife.” Maybe culture says you should walk away, but Heaven says, “Stay in position.”

Sarah’s honor positioned her for promise. Even when Abraham’s fear caused delay, God intervened. Pharaoh took her—God sent plagues. Abimelech desired her—God warned him in a dream. Sarah didn’t have to fight for validation; she let God speak for her. And in due season, she gave birth to Isaac—the promise fulfilled.

Katherine Johnson’s story mirrors that same divine rhythm. She didn’t demand a platform; she perfected her purpose. Her equations became her worship. While others were celebrated publicly, Heaven was recording her faithfulness privately. When the right moment came, history had to acknowledge what God had already affirmed.

Honor Is the Language of the Hidden

In today’s dating culture, honor is rare. We live in a world that says, “If he won’t claim you, leave.” But God’s way is different. He says, “Let Me reveal you when it’s time.”

Abraham loved Sarah, but fear clouded his discernment. Many men today wrestle with the same tension—afraid to choose a woman who doesn’t fit the image they’ve built or the timing they imagined. But God doesn’t match based on influence; He joins based on assignment. Sarah was carrying Abraham’s purpose even before he recognized it.

And you, woman of God, are carrying purpose too.

Don’t mistake being hidden for being overlooked. God hides what He values most until the appointed time. Just as He revealed Sarah’s righteousness and Katherine’s brilliance, He will reveal your name, your purpose, and your partnership when the time is right.

When You’re Called Less but Chosen for More

You are not less because he’s not ready. You are not forgotten because you’re not seen. You are chosen, covered, and called. When you honor God, even in the waiting, He honors you in the revealing.

Sarah’s obedience made her the mother of nations. Katherine’s excellence helped open the heavens. Your hidden season is preparing you to do both—birth promise and open portals for others.

Stay in position. Keep your heart pure. Trust God with your timing. Because when the right man—submitted, healed, and obedient—hears Heaven call your name, he will call you what God always said you were.

“She is not forgotten. Her righteousness will shine like the dawn, and her vindication like the noonday sun.” — Psalm 37:6

Built to Last — Even When He Chose Someone Else

I can’t believe it’s been four years since I first wrote you that letter on December 20, 2020. At the time, I didn’t know who you were — not fully. I only knew what God whispered to my heart. He told me to write, to speak life into a man I had never met, to weep for a love that felt ancient and familiar. What I didn’t realize then was that my obedience to write that letter wasn’t just about you — it was about me discovering who I am.

You decided to marry someone else out of the blue. I still remember the shock of it — how reality hit like a wave that stole the air from my lungs. I can’t believe you knew who I was and still chose a different woman. You got a wife, but not your purpose partner. That truth used to hurt in a way I couldn’t even put into words. But pain can become revelation when you let God interpret it.

Apostle Matthew Stevenson III once said, “There is nothing greater than reality except revelation.” And I’ve learned the truth of that statement in the deepest way. Reality told me you were gone. Revelation told me that nothing was wasted. God let me see beyond what was happening to what He was forming. The revelation He gave me sustained me — it taught me that love doesn’t die just because it isn’t reciprocated. It evolves, it sanctifies, it matures.

Discovering you in the beginning was a dream come true, even if the ending wasn’t what I expected. Watching you evolve into the man God called you to be — even from afar — was like watching a movie. You once said, “I almost coded,” and thanked me for giving love another chance, saying this time it would be forever. I thought that meant us. But now I know, that word was for my healing — not our union. God resurrected a part of me that had been buried under disappointment.

When I thought it was the end, Jesus showed up. Just like Lazarus, love came walking out of the tomb wrapped in new understanding. What I found wasn’t just you — it was the me that believed again. Finding you was recovering the part of my heart that still believed in divine purpose, covenant love, and destiny.

You were my King. You were my lion and my lamb. But I’ve learned that being my King doesn’t mean being my husband. God let me see who you were so I could understand who I am. The revelation was about was about preparation.

In my husband’s letter I wrote on January 19, 2021, I described you before I knew you. I see now that I was prophesying — not predicting. Every word I wrote about sacrifice, endurance, and love that lasts forever, was a mirror God held up for me. He was showing me the kind of woman I was becoming — built to last, even when love doesn’t go as planned.

We were forged in fire separately so that we could become fortified in purpose individually. You became who you needed to be for someone else. And I became who I was meant to be — for God, for purpose, and for the love story that’s still unfolding for me.

You taught me that even unfulfilled love can be holy. That’s the beauty of revelation. I can celebrate what was, honor what could have been, and still look forward to what will be. Because even when you chose someone else, I rest knowing God still chose me.

Forever,

Marie

Rejection was God’s preservative

Rejection Was God’s Preservative

Before I begin to share why rejection is God’s preservative, let me define what a preservative is and why it’s used. A preservative is something that protects against decay, discoloration, or spoilage. It keeps something from going bad before its time. When I look back over my life, I now realize that God was doing the same thing with me. He was preserving me — protecting me from being destroyed — even though it didn’t feel like it in the moment.

Rejection was never meant to break you. It was meant to preserve you. It was God’s way of saying, “Not this one, not now, not here.” You see, when God’s hand is on your life, He won’t let everything attach to you — not every person, not every opportunity, not every stage. Some “no’s” were actually heaven’s way of protecting your heart from decay and keeping your purpose pure.

For a long time, I couldn’t see it. I just saw the pain. I remember the day I had to come face to face with myself and admit that I didn’t love me. I wanted my ex-husband to love me broken, but I didn’t even love me broken. I wanted someone else to do what only God could — make me whole. Sometimes, we’re out here chasing love from people when what we really need is the One who is Love.

I’ll never forget the day I opened my heart fully to the Lord and said, “God, teach me how You love me.” I asked Him to reveal to me the love He and I shared in eternity. And He did. It became the most intimate season of my life — encounter after encounter where He loved me back to life. Every layer of rejection peeled away as His love became my covering.

Rejection redirected me. It became a preservative — not poison. The Word says in Song of Solomon that God’s banner over us is love. His banner over me is love, and it’s over you too. I didn’t take my own life when the enemy came to steal, kill, and destroy me because I had a revelation of that love. And if you’re struggling with suicide or rejection right now, I want you to know the same truth: rejection didn’t come to destroy you — it came to preserve you and point you back to God’s love.

The enemy wants to use rejection to distort your identity. He wants you so wounded that you reject God’s will for your life. But God uses rejection as redirection — to guide you back to His heart.

Another way the Lord showed me how He used rejection to preserve me was in my purity and preparation for my future husband. I wrote a letter on December 20, 2024, and in it I said: “Now I understand that every time I was rejected, God was preserving my love for you.” I can see now that even before I fully surrendered to Christ, He was keeping me from paths of destruction — even when I didn’t know it.

Rejection is God’s preservative when we learn to respond to His love instead of reacting to the enemy’s lies. And through it all, I found out how much God loved me so that I could know how much God loves those I’m called to share my love with — no matter how broken or bruised they may be.

Prayer:

Father, I pray for every person battling rejection and suicidal thoughts. Let them feel Your presence right now. Remind them that You promised to deliver us from every affliction. Reveal Your love to them as You did to me. Heal their soul. Break the spirit of rejection and suicide. Restore their identity in You. Open their eyes to see that their help comes from You, and that their best days are still ahead. Lord, remember them like You remembered Samson and avenge every wound. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When Love aligns

When Love Aligns

Every relationship comes with its challenges. When love aligns, it doesn’t always feel like butterflies or smell like roses. Sometimes it smells like sacrifice and feels like stretching.

People say there’s poop and pee in the dating pool—and honestly, it can feel that way. Many are walking away from faith, and the love of many has grown cold. The Bible said it would happen. People are refusing to marry, and for many women, it seems like there are seven to one—if not more.

We all want the fairytale, but even in every fairytale, there’s always a part of the story where suffering shows up. Before Cinderella went to the ball, she was covered in ashes. Before Ruth met Boaz, she gleaned in the field. Before Jesus was exalted, He was crucified.

God is not just the Author of love—He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He writes our wrongs and aligns our hearts to His will so we can receive His kind of love. But too many believers have bought into the lie that if you’re a Christian, you won’t suffer. We want the cup of blessing, but not the cup of suffering.

Yet the Word tells us it pleased the Father to bruise Jesus. (Isaiah 53:10)

In John 6, Jesus said, “He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood dwells in Me, and I in him.” Many were offended by this hard saying. They murmured. They questioned. And many turned back and followed Him no more. But Peter stayed. When Jesus asked, “Will you also go away?” Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Jesus was establishing covenant. He was teaching His disciples what true alignment looks like. Relationships mirror that same covenant—especially marriage.

At first, it feels like a fairytale. But after the tests, the tough conversations, and the four seasons of life, some turn back. Love is not sustained by emotion; it’s sustained by alignment. When love aligns with God’s will, it endures.

Every relationship will have its own blessings and sufferings. Offenses will come, but blessed are those who are not offended. Love aligned with Christ can withstand storms because it’s built on obedience, not preference.

When Jesus looked at the twelve and asked, “Will you also go away?” He wasn’t just questioning their loyalty—He was measuring their alignment.

When love aligns, the one who stays will say like Peter did, “To whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Your purpose partner will not only walk with you in promise—they’ll stand with you through pain. They’ll feel so connected to your assignment that leaving you would mean abandoning their purpose.

Jesus knew Peter would betray Him, yet He still loved him because Peter was tied to His eternal purpose. That’s what alignment looks like—it’s not about perfection; it’s about purpose.

When you meet your purpose partner, you’ll know. You’ll be willing to pay the price to fulfill your destiny together. Allow God to perfect all things concerning you. Trust His timing. Obey His voice. He will not disappoint you.

Prayer:

Father, bring clarity and confirmation when love aligns. Even when the journey is hard to understand, give us discernment to know who is for us and who is not. Protect us from offense and strengthen our hearts to stay aligned with Your will. Grant wisdom to build our homes and understanding to fulfill Your purposes in our lives—individually and together. In Jesus’ name, amen.

It was a package deal

“It Was a Package Deal”

Some men really think that if they can’t have the woman, then they don’t want to be bothered with their own kids. I’ll never forget that moment standing before the judge with the father of my oldest son. We were there to establish child support — something I had avoided for a long time because I didn’t want the drama. But after doing everything I could on my own, I finally realized I needed help.

Shortly before our court date, he told me to tell public aid that I didn’t know who the father was. I remember looking at him like he had lost his mind. I had too much pride and integrity to lie. I had never been with anyone but him, and I wasn’t about to pretend otherwise. He was mad that I had taken him to court. But what he said next broke something inside of me and woke up something deeper at the same time.

He leaned over, right there in front of the judge, and whispered, “It’s a package deal.”

Then, without hesitation, he waved all his visitation rights to our son.

And that was the day he walked away — from me and from his own child — for seventeen long years.

That moment shaped me in ways I didn’t understand back then. It taught me that some men only want access to you, not accountability for what comes with you. They want your body, your energy, your nurturing spirit — but not your responsibility or your anointing.

Recently, I watched a podcast where a man claimed his children were “artificially inseminated,” trying to escape paying child support. I shook my head, realizing how generational that spirit of avoidance really is — that spirit of walking away when the real work begins.

But then, I thought of Boaz.

In the story of Ruth, we see what true redemption looks like. Ruth had a past — just like all of us. She was a Moabitess, someone who didn’t “belong” according to others’ standards. Yet, Boaz didn’t see her through the lens of her history. He saw her heart. He saw her honor. He saw her faithfulness in the small, unseen places.

The man who was next in line to marry Ruth refused. Why? Because he said, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I mar my own inheritance.” Translation: he didn’t want to risk his reputation or what he already had going on. He wanted the land — but not Ruth.

It was a package deal.

Boaz, on the other hand, understood that when God brings you someone, it’s not just about what they come with — it’s about what they carry. Boaz didn’t just want Ruth’s body; he wanted her purpose. He made provisions for her before she was his. He covered her in integrity. He saw her value long before he called her his wife.

And that’s what a man of God does. He doesn’t just claim you; he honors what God is doing through you.

Some men want you for your beauty, your business, your brilliance, or your bank account. But the one that God has for you will love you holistically — your anointing, your calling, your child, your story, and your scars.

The right one will recognize that you are the blessing, not the burden.

So, to every woman reading this who’s ever been told she’s “too much” or “has too much baggage,” know this: you are the pearl of great price, not the problem. God will hide your worth from the wrong one so He can reveal it to the right one. Wait for your Boaz.

When your core values align, your love will align. Don’t settle for the counterfeit.

It’s a package deal — and you, beloved, are worth the whole thing.

The longest mile

Sometimes in life we will need someone to take a walk with us. It could be a walk each day to encourage your friend to exercise with you or it could be a walk on a journey in life where that person’s presence becomes the strength you need just to keep going. Everyone needs someone. Jesus sent the disciples out two by two. Jesus needed the disciples to carry his message to the world after his death.

There were many times I could look back over my life and see I needed someone, but I felt like I was all alone. One of the first things the Lord did for me when I received salvation was, He walked with me backwards in intercession and showed me how much He was with me as a little girl when I felt alone the most. However, no matter how much we know Jesus is there, the word says a brother is born for adversity. I needed my mom for this mile I was about to have to walk. In Matthew 5:41 If anyone asks you to go one mile, go with them two miles. I asked my mom to walk this mile with me and she walked two.

Let me tell you how I will remember her the most and honor her for how she stepped up to the plate for one of the times I needed her the most. Shortly after the death of their father, my late ex-husband, my youngest son decided he was going to take control of his own life. He became completely defiant. He was attending a school that required him to wear a uniform. He decided he would no longer be wearing a uniform because he said I was trying to control him. He decided he no longer needed school and had scored so high on his scores that top schools were recruiting him for high school. He decided to smoke weed on the school property. I was constantly being called off my job because he also decided he didn’t want to live anymore and was suicidal.

I was completely overwhelmed by his behavior. It is too much to tell. I had the psychologist coming into my home, weekly. I took him to the psychiatrist. I was taking him to church to get deliverance. The system forced me to allow him on medication or else I was going to get charged with a case. His behavior escalated against me, and I came to a breaking point. This went on non-stop for two years. I knew we needed greater intervention.

There were so many days, he was in a different hospital. I couldn’t go up with my baby at the time. My mom would sit in the car for hours so I could visit him and then I would sit so she could visit him. Every weekend for four years and as needed I was on the road stopping stuff, bringing him something or we were going to visit him for hours. She would even go by herself on long bus rides just to take him something he requested while I was working. My mom nor me didn’t know that this would be the longest mile it would seem we would ever walk together because she was also slowing losing her vision and dying from cancer. My mom past last July 2023, but her presence was a silent strength to me so I could keep walking.

I want to encourage others that may be struggling as a caregiver in some capacity. Find you some resources to get the help you need. Continue to trust God. Get a support group and find you someone that will walk what may seem to be the longest mile of your life. Be thankful for those that have been willing to walk with us and may we never take for granted the sacrifice it may have cost when we ask someone to walk a mile with us.  I honor my mom, Beverly Bares, for walking one of the longest miles of my life with me.

It’s not what it looks like

It’s not what it looks like.

How many of us have gone through something painful, only to have others judge us without knowing the full story? I can relate to Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4:4. When his nurse heard the news that Saul and Jonathan were dead, she panicked. In her fear, she picked him up and ran to protect him—but instead of saving him, she dropped him. And from that moment on, he was lame.

There are so many parents—especially single parents—who can relate to this story. Children don’t come with a manual. Most of us are doing the best we can while carrying our own unhealed wounds, mental battles, and emotional scars. Yet we keep trying to protect and guide our children, even while bleeding ourselves. A real parent always wants better for their children than what they had growing up—even if what they had was good. Because sometimes good can be the enemy of better.

That nurse didn’t sit still because she didn’t care. She ran because she wanted to save him from what destroyed his father and grandfather. She was trying to prevent a tragedy—but in her fear, she caused one. That resonates deeply with me.

After my difficult marriage and divorce, I found myself a single mother running from fear, pain, and destruction—just like that nurse. Then, three years later, my ex-husband passed away suddenly at 38, leaving me to carry the full weight of raising our two young sons alone. I was on the run, not physically, but emotionally and spiritually—running from trauma, from the war zone we had just escaped, praying I could protect them from its aftermath.

Many women have been there. Whether by choice or circumstance, so many mothers have been left to carry the aftermath of broken homes, broken promises, and broken systems. And in that process, some of our children have been crippled—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

I never imagined my own son would be one of them. I had three boys to raise on my own, and the weight became overwhelming. I exhausted every resource I could to get help, but the situation only got worse. Eventually, my youngest son—my heart—had to enter the foster care system. It broke me. It looked like failure to the outside world. But it wasn’t what it looked like. I was trying to save him, not abandon him.

When I walked into that courtroom for the first time, my attorney looked me in the eyes and said, “I know why you’re here, and I’m prepared to go to war for you.” Then the judge looked at me, smiled gently, and said, “Something tells me you’ve done everything you could.” He asked only one thing of me—to never break my connection with my son. And I didn’t. Even when it was hard.

For one year, I stood in the lion’s den until God Himself shut the mouths of those lions and restored my name. I was not charged with anything. God vindicated me.

One day, I’ll share my full testimony with my son beside me. God will get the glory. The gates of hell did not prevail against us.

Just as King David remembered Mephibosheth and brought him to the table to restore what was lost, God is raising up modern-day Davids—people who will call our sons back to the King’s table. Our children are not forgotten. They are royal. They will rise again.

2 Samuel 4:4 (KJV): “And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet… and his name was Mephibosheth.”

Sometimes you will appear crazy

“Sometimes You’ll Appear Crazy”

Sometimes you’ll appear crazy to avoid destruction—and actually be delivered from the hand of the enemy. Sometimes you’ll appear crazy because you’re willing to take risks that others won’t. We all get ourselves into situations that just don’t make sense. We sit there afterward and ask, “Why did I do that? Why did I go there? Why did I risk that?”

In 1 Samuel 21, David had just parted ways with Jonathan. On the run from King Saul, he found himself at Nob, standing before Ahimelech the priest. The priest was startled to see David alone and questioned his motives. David’s response was strategic, even deceptive—he told Ahimelech he was on a secret mission for the king and asked for bread. David was hungry, desperate, and in survival mode. He was doing what he had to do.

Sometimes obedience will make you look irrational. David risked his life to get food for his men. He walked into enemy territory to secure what was needed. That’s what bold obedience looks like—it doesn’t always make sense to human reasoning. Are you willing to look crazy to obey God and take a risk others won’t?

But let’s flip the script for a moment. What David did could also be viewed as an act of self-sabotage. He placed himself in a compromising position because of his appetite. Hunger made him vulnerable. Sometimes our greatest mistakes don’t come from rebellion but from need. When we’re in survival mode, we’ll do things that make sense to desperation but not to destiny.

I’ve been there. I’ve gone back to the very places that broke me—relationships, situations, environments that once violated or abandoned me—thinking maybe it would be different this time. I’ve called it love, loyalty, faith, or ministry, but deep down, it was self-sabotage. Two words that I had to confront in my own life.

As Pastor Dharius Daniels said, “When you increase self-awareness, you decrease self-sabotage.” The moment David realized he had been recognized in the enemy’s camp, panic took over. He feared for his life, and so he pretended to be insane—foaming at the mouth, drooling on his beard, and pounding on the city gate (1 Samuel 21:12–15). It looked humiliating, but it saved his life.

That’s the tension: sometimes panic makes us act out of character, but sometimes that moment of appearing “crazy” becomes the vehicle for our deliverance. David’s act looked foolish, but it kept him from destruction. It wasn’t his strength that saved him—it was God’s mercy in his vulnerability.

In today’s culture, “appearing crazy” might not look like foaming at the mouth. It might look like walking away from a relationship everyone expected you to stay in. It might look like leaving a job that’s killing your peace or turning down an opportunity because God said no. It might look like saying “I need help” when you’ve always been the strong one. To the world, it looks foolish—but to Heaven, it looks like faith.

God is still delivering people who appear crazy. He’s protecting those who step out, risk obedience, and choose healing over performance. And if you’ve ever acted out of fear or found yourself in a compromising situation—know this: God is merciful. Just like He delivered David, He’s delivering you too.