Hello Destination Destiny Blog Family! How are you all doing today? How’s your week going so far?
I am doing pretty well; I had a fantastic weekend despite some unfortunate news. One of my aunts passed away, and it has been tough on my family and I. She was the closest family member that we had living within the same state as us. My family and hers spent a lot of time together while growing up. My cousins are in so much pain, and it hurts because there is only so much that one can say. Please say a prayer for her husband and children; they need it so much right now.
******
This weekend my family and I went on a staycation. It was a surprise for my girls. When recounting their weekend fun to their aunts, they said, “We had the best time of our lives!” That brought so much joy to my heart. I try my best to plan some fun activities for my family since my husband and I’s schedule is so busy.
I had to be deliberate about enjoying the weekend, even though I was grieving my aunt’s death. After shedding a few tears, spending some time reminiscing about my aunt, and reflecting on life in general, I made up my mind to be present and create new memories with my family while I was hurting inside. Thank God for the Holy Spirit; he comforts and strengthens, even amid many questions and in our weakest moments. I really don’t want to know what life would be without my comforter, helper, and best friend, the precious Holy Spirit.
Our weekend consisted of buffet-style breakfasts, an adventure for the girls at an indoor playground, a hibachi dinner, visiting a water park, fun at the indoor swimming pool of our hotel, long naps, going to church, and returning to the hotel afterward. I still had meetings and counseling sessions over the weekend, but it hits different when you work from a place of rest. I felt so refreshed! Rest is essential, don’t undermine it. You are not a robot! Fit proper rest into your schedule; it is much more than getting more sleep. Rest is a state of mind; it is the offspring of true faith! My husband and I discussed having family staycations and vacations at least once a quarter. Up next will be a couple’s trip! I can not wait!!!
*****
On to today’s post…
First of all, I want to thank all those who have given me feedback on my Supernatural Woman posts; it means a lot! Keep the feedback coming: like the posts, comment on the posts, and share the posts with your loved ones. Let’s spread the light and inspire the world together! That is what family is for; sharing is caring!
*****
For about two months, I found myself in a rut. I felt stuck and confused. It felt like the job loss was haunting me. My birthday was less than a month after, and I literally struggled to be happy and celebrate. My husband went all out to make me feel special; he also prayed for me and encouraged me. My spiritual parents also called and declared some words over me. One thing that stood out during their prayers was when my spiritual father declared, “You will forget the shame of your youth!”
That hit a note in my heart because shame was a familiar feeling in those days. I kept trying to move on with my life, but certain outcomes of losing my job lingered. I no longer had health insurance. My husband had just started a new job a few weeks prior, and I had to wait until after his probationary period to get on his insurance. The diagnosis that I was given during my first trimester kept trying to take over my mind. Fear threatened to rare its ugly head when I had to depend on the source of life himself instead of medical science. I would pray and make confessions about my baby, blessing her from head to toe; spirit, soul, and body.
I could not have ultrasounds or confirm the sounds of her heartbeat since there were no doctor’s visits. But, that girl made her presence known while in the womb. It is amazing how during the moments where I was on the verge of depression, she would kick me so hard as if she was saying, “Snap out of it!” I would be jolted back to reality and become hopeful again. That is why I named her Gabriella, which means the Lord is my Strength in Hebrew. She was a trooper despite the outward pressure.
Ecclesiastes 9:4 (NIV)
Anyone who is among the living has hope –even a live dog is better off than a dead lion!
*****
Shortly after losing my job, I reached out to the woman who had offered me a new position a couple of months before losing my job; read here for more info. She stated how sorry she was and encouraged me. She said that she had been fired before; that surprised me because her resume was impeccable. She told me to apply for some benefits that I qualified for while being unemployed as I figured out what I wanted to do next. I went ahead to apply for the benefits, only to get a letter in the mail a few weeks later.
My former employer stated that I did not qualify for the benefits because my work performance was unsatisfactory. I was appalled; it made me sick to my stomach to see how far they were willing to go to prove a lie. I didn’t even care about the money; it was not substantial. I almost gave up on the benefits. But I was concerned about my reputation. When I read the letter, it stated that I had to attend a court hearing over the phone to prove my case; I knew that this meant war. It was more than a physical battle; the devil was going in!
After having a long discussion with my husband, we decided to pay a significant amount of money to get a lawyer. I also informed my spiritual parents as I needed them to intercede on my behalf and stand in faith with me. I did not notify my biological parents because I did not want them to worry; I did not need sympathy while I was building my faith. After the first hearing, I got a letter stating that they could not come to a verdict. I was overwhelmed because, during the first hearing, the way that my employer’s lawyer and former supervisor’s boss twisted things to favor their case was outrageous. I had to attend another hearing a few weeks after.
James 1:2-4
The Passion Translation
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested[a] it stirs up in you the power of endurance. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
My pastor-husband said some mind-blowing things on Sunday while preaching, “There is a court of man and a court of God; the court of God is the highest court; once there is a ruling, it can not be appealed!”
“The Word of God is a legal document when we pray we bring up precedence”; “When you study the Bible, look at the rulings of God”; “God will not give precedence with his Word if he is not going to do it again”; “Emotions do not work in the court of God; they are not evidence!”; God’s Word is evidence!”
I couldn’t afford to be emotional any longer. I got in the Word and fought on my knees in the secret place. I was not going to give up! I was not going to play the victim! There was too much at stake; I fought with the consciousness of who I was. I AM A CHILD OF GOD! I legislated in the realm that matters. Much more than having a lawyer, I remembered that I had an advocate with the father!
Challenges always come laced with a question, WHO ARE YOU? Much more than what you know, it matters WHO you know! Who’s your daddy? Fatherhood speaks of your source and inheritance. I looked to my father, where my help comes from! I called on Jehovah Nissi (#morningdew), my defender!
P.S. If you need a miracle, join my father in the Lord for prayers everyday at 11:30 p.m. CST at: https://mixlr.com/pastor-segun-obadje
It is always lit, a hit back to back, lives have been changed drastically. You gotta tune in!
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY IN ADVANCE TO ALL MY MALE READERS!!!
To be continued…
With lots of love,
– Bunmi Adebiyi
Wait before you go:
1. If you have not received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, life won’t make any sense, it will be cold and empty. You deserve more! Take a few minutes and click on the ‘SAY YES’ tab at the top of the page and be saved!
2. Please leave a comment below, I’d love to hear from you!
3. Subscribe to this blog and receive email updates once a new post is published by entering your email address in the ‘Subscribe’ section located below this section and at top on right of this site.
4. Share this post or previous posts by clicking on the respective social media icon below!!!
5. Follow me on Instagram @BunmiAdebiyi_
6. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel @BunmiAdebiyiOfficial
Leave a comment