New Year! Upgraded ME!

Hello friends! What’s been going on? How is 2021 so far?

Welcome to my very first post on here for the year! I had plans to post something that would get you pump for the new year but I just couldn’t get around to it. I did post something on Instagram though! Did you see it? I gave you rich auntie vibes with some electrifying new year inspiration. Wait, don’t tell me that you are NOT following me on Instrgram fam, what are you waiting for?!?! @destinationdestinyblog is the handle, do yourself a favor and follow so you can get some content that doesn’t make it to the blog! I am waiting…do it now…thanks :-).

So yeah, here we are on the 19th day of 2021! The year that many of us have been looking forward to after the roller coaster of a year 2020 was! I spent the end of 2020, praying and waiting on God for 2021 plans. I always pray for a word for each year and when God gave me my word for this year, I was shook. I wanted to run but I know better, I just accepted it as I know that when God gives you a vision, there is provision already waiting for you to receive it. When God gives you a word, he will see to it that it is fulfilled, as you partner with him. So yeah, I surrendered, it doesn’t make sense to go through the same lesson over and over again; learn it and elevate!

In the beginning of 2020, shortly after having my baby I was ready to fly. But God kept telling me to rest, I got the same word in February 2020, if I knew that a pandemic was going to hit in March, I would have been a lot more obedient. My life literally changed, I had to change routines and create structures for the new normal and I must say it wasn’t fun or easy (I’m sure you can relate). But we made it!!! During this time, I am waiting on the Lord for details of the things that he has revealed so far. I need clarity, I refuse to run ahead of God. And that is my stance this year, to be absolutely yielded to God and seek his counsel every single step of the way!

My children started school two weeks ago, thank God for a reminder from their teachers a few days prior because I purposely did not check the resumption date, I was not looking forward to virtual school! After getting out of my feelings, I made up mind to make the best of it and I was so eager to share my tips for other parents and parents to be but I got busy and vowed to post this week, yesterday to be precise. I also wanted to celebrate Martin Luther King day and discuss my plans for this blog for this year.

And then I woke up to a Whatsapp message stating that my beloved grandmother had died. I saw the message right before my prayer time, hmm it was such a struggle to get myself together. At one point, I was trying to be strong and focus, then I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “It is okay to cry”. What a relief! I just allowed the tears to flow, in between singing to God and praising him for who he is. After letting go and take time to pray and study God’s Word, I felt a little better.

I then began to ponder shortly after that, I asked myself why was I trying so hard to be “strong”? And then this scripture came to heart
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV

God understands how it feels to loose a loved one. In times of pain, he wants us to run to his presence for strength. It is okay to feel the hurt and pain but you don’t have to stay there. You can be comforted and encouraged. You truly enjoy God’s power when you surrender, that is the key to divine empowerment! And then another scripture came to mind..

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15 NIV

I spoke to a young lady that I used to mentor and she told me that the last few weeks have been tough, one of her relatives had COVID but thankfully recovered; however her friend’s mom wasn’t so lucky; and then another one of her friend’s dad died. I understood how she felt as I was still going through my own loss, I encouraged her and told her to pray for those families. There is power in prayer, your condolences and kind words are great, add prayer to it because people grieve differently and need comfort to forge ahead.

Most people often start a new year with lots of hopes and expectations. I don’t believe many people plan for losses and disappointments. Things happen that could leave us feeling weak but there is a place that we can go to get rejuvenated even if we don’t understand. It is called the presence of the Lord, where there is fullness of joy.

I wanted to just be idle yesterday but I had work to do and my amazing first daughter Eden kept cheering me up. When I told her that my grandmother had died that morning she said “You have to be happy and not sad; I am happy because she is in heaven”, that warmed my heart. Later on she said, “Whenever you feel sad look at pictures of her and that will make you feel like she’s close to you.” I have no idea where she got that from but I did look at pictures of her and it brought a smile to my face. My daughter Samantha’s response to the information was totally different, she opened her mouth wide in shock and sighed then said, “I am happy my grandma didn’t die.” I was surprised by her response, but I also saw the innocence of children and the beauty of being present and grateful for what we have.

I will really miss my grandmother, she lived with my family and I (parents and siblings) for about 10 years. She was there for major milestones, she was there when I graduated from High School, when I left for college, when I got married and had my first baby. She showed me the true definition of strength, she went through so much but she still was there for others. She was always on the move, cooking, cleaning, exercising. Last week she was admitted into the hospital after having shortness of breath, at one point her heart stopped beating but the medical staff gave her CPR and she was good! My sister asked if I wanted to see her on a video call shortly after, as soon as I saw her I was moved to tears because she didn’t look too good. At that moment, I wanted her to live but I didn’t want her to struggle anymore. I desired to see her one more time at least, I was supposed to travel to Nigeria last year but had to change my plans because of COVID. At that point, I felt it was selfish to pray for her to stay alive. I wanted her to rest and be free of pain.

I spent the rest of the day trying my best to focus on other things, my husband took me out for ice cream, we ate in the car with the kids…it was so good and so worth the calories, he told me not to cook so we just ate leftovers, we took out time to dance and praise God and then watched a movie, then spent a few minutes talking about my grandma before going to sleep. I woke up today with my heart still feeling a bit heavy but I feel much better. No matter what, GOD IS GOOD!!! I thank him that my grandma lived long and left her impact. It is inspiration to me to live by best life irrespective of the loss!

I want to encourage you to do the same! You may have loss some things, people, opportunities, etc in 2020 or so far in 2021; what will make a difference is what we depend on. You can choose to depend on what you see physically or choose to depend on the invisible God who strengthens and causes all things to work together for our good. The God that wipes our tears and gives us joy instead. The God that restores much more that was ever lost or stolen. The God who loves you too much to see you down and out, he is the glory and the lifter of your head!

Many people go around shouting “New year, new me!” I choose to say, “New year, upgraded me!” I will shove through the pain points and lean on the strength of God. I will take it one step at a time, I will receive my daily bread package, filled with mercy, goodness, and all of God’s benefits, I won’t allow situations or circumstances to cloud my perspective of God. I will arise and shine in the midst of darkness! My upgrade is not defined by my own personal aspirations but my dependence on God and my decision to live for him absolutely by fulfilling his purpose for my life.

What about you friend? Have you ever lost someone or something that was dear to you, how did you deal with it?

STOP!!

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With lots of love,


– Bunmi Adebiyi

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