Girl Next Door

Domestic Help...To each his own

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:03:00 +0000

"Hian...you HAVE a househelp????, for what na, which work is she doing in the house? and you are even paying her that much? Biko, let me come and negotiate with you for the job o, what do you even need a househelp for...Na wa for you o, your just wasting ur husband's money."

Now, this post is not about me asking whether it is right to have a help or not, its simply about me saying....ITS MY LIFE, ITS MY DESCISION, ITS MY MONEY....and as long as I dont get in your business, I'd appreciate u to stay outta mine.

The statement above was made by a woman I met while while discussing about my househelp with my neighbour in the salon yesterday. Was I offended? Nope, Was I amused? Totally.

The discussion of the day suddenly turned to me, and what business I had getting a help, with just one child to take care of. While I had several responses to give as to why I had a help, I really didnt think i owed anyone an explanation (plus I hate being confrontational....yup, I'm chicken like that), so I just smiled and let the conversation go on around me.

Now take note, this woman in question has her younger sis leaving with her, this sister isnt in school yet and is the one responsible for preparing her 2 kids for school, picking them up, preparing them for bed, and preparing food for the house (unsolicited information gotten from the hairdresser after the woman had left the salon...lol). In other words, she has what I have, difference is, hers is for free (boarding and feeding fees excluded). Woman 2 who seemed to agree with her is a newly wed (5months into marriage), so not much to deal with in terms of a kid and added responsibility. Plus they both work closer to the area than I do.

Can I live without a help...yes?
what would suffer? ....I'd be ubber stressed out having to deal with the daily back and forth of oko-oba - Victoria Island. I'd be sleep deprived, waking up at 4:15 and sleeping at 10pm with one or two wakes at night. D would hear "baby, pls I'm tired, not tonight" basically every single day of the week...and since I'd be cleaning house once a week on the weekends and doing laundry, weekends might just be included. Finally, I'd be too much of a grouch for miss K, and she'd definitely grow up avoiding me. Dont forget the part of me aging faster than my mates...lol

So for those that think I am being wasteful...una never start o, cos I'm even thinking of getting a driver. Heard of a man who slumped on the steering and I'm freaked out right now, so....deal with that too.

Also, D is extremely touched, as he never knew he had advocates who cared so much for his financial status even though it affects them in no way at all.

Finally....My mother adviced me to be like the proverbs 31 woman....and guess what?...she had domestic helps too (notice the plural)....lmao....I kid, I kid....

I guess I'm just trying to tell the busy-bodies in society to back off, one man's meat is another man's poison, so the fact that this doesnt work for you, doesnt mean it wont work for the next person. On second thoughts though, you can decide not to back off....keep doing you, and i'd keep doing me

For the one we lost......

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:17:00 +0000

I knew i'd be writting to you sometime soon,

I just never though it'll be this soon.....

I can hold your hand,

but not the pieces of your broken heart,

They seem too shattered to ever be pieced together again.

I can offer a hug,

but I doubt it'll be enough to dry up the tears

that just keep flowing without stop.

It feels like life has stopped for you in this one moment,

yet when you look around, life continues for everyone else,

even those who sit right now by your bedside.

We'd say we feel your pain,

but when we get back home, we're surrounded by warmth

we wrap our babies and laugh at their excited gurgle,

And at the back of your mind you wonder...

...How on earth can we understand?

Your world is upside down and you want so bad to scream

Wish it all away, wake up as in from a bad dream

Hmmm, Sister, Friend, my heart breaks for you.

I want to be there for you the best I can

I pray I find the how.

And for you lil one we never got to hold,

I wonder where you are right now.

Maybe back home in heaven,

charming the angels with that smile we'd never see.

When we see again,would we look you in the eye

and know all of a udden that its you?

Or would you somehow come back to us again???

You'd have brothers and sisters that you may never know,

they may comfort us and with time,

this pain would fade.

But you would always remain the one,

with whom your mom first experienced the joys of a first kick

Dedicated to MD, who lost her baby at 24weeks...I'm glad to see you're stronger now, you inspire me love

U rock my world....

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 07:06:00 +0000

With your tiny piercing scream
That finds its way thru my subconscious
And startles me to wake.
A glance at the bedside clock tells me
Its just been an hour plus since I put u to bed.

I close my eyes and reflect on life
How its changed these past 14days,
And then smile.
I smile cos even wit my craving for sleep,
And the sometimes overwhelming feelings
That come from the tot of being responsible for another being.
Nothing compares to the joy I have
when i look in your face
and see the beautiful creation
God brought forth through your daddy and I.

I love you already darlyn. Welcome to our world

Marriage is..........(1)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 13:46:00 +0000

.......Waking up at 2am
with a bad craving for coaster biscuit,
Thinking of the two packets
I left on the dining table,

Heading out to get it and
Seeing a dirty tea mug sitting in its place
with the two empty packets sitting happily in the cup.

....."And he called them cheap Five naira biscuits" when I brought them home......SMH

Marriage is the life I have with you....

A Letter For You....

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:40:00 +0000

Babes,

See how important you are (smiles) you dragged me outta my hiatus, I never imagined that it would happen anytime soon, but here we are, I'm typing at my computer and the only thing i want to do right now is hold your hands in mine and tell you it would be ok.

Bland words, I know, but really love, it would be ok.

Before you called last night, I already knew. I know we've had this scare before but this time around, I knew it was no scare and so many thoughts ran through my head as I reached out to pick the call.

You said you were ok......why dont I believe you?

The unsure giggle you usually do when you're trying to be strong, the few seconds of silence that speak louder than your words....

We talked future plans, we talked about forgiveness and doing the right thing now, we talked about how things from now on would be different, but in all of it, we didnt talk about today, now, your present state of mind.

I can cast aspersions and ask you "How could you? an unmarried christian woman?"...but then, I'd just be doing the same exact thing you're doing to yourself, and you dont need that right now, so here's what I want to say.

No matter what the case, I love you to bits cos you're my friend, you're my sister.

I know you're scared deep down and I want you to know I'm here for you, through the struggle to share it with family, through the struggle within yourself, through the struggle of what people would say...I'm here

When you want to rant, when you want to cry, when you feel the changes in your body and you just want to bitch, I'm here....when you feel overwhelmed, when all you need is just silence, when you wonder if your descision was the best....I'm here.

I cant help you right the wrong, I cant take the past away, but I can be here for you while you take the hard decision to walk the right path at present...and no matter how hard you feel its going to be, know this for sure, time would come when today would be history, and you would look into the mirror and know for sure, it wasnt a mistake to walk this path

I love you to bits

Preparing......(guest blogger - LDP)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:18:00 +0000

The surrounding silence makes the words from my heart resound

Words of requests and deep desires cry out from my innermost parts

My guts wrenching at the intensity of the emotions I feel

"Hush sweet one", I hear....”it’s time to prepare”

"Prepare for what, the barrenness that taunts me with every dawn?"

“Prepare for the increase, prepare for the greatness”

I listen to hear more

"You look but you do not see, because your sight has become dull

Blinded to the things that are by the things that are not

...Unable to differentiate between the two.

You wait for tomorrow when today sits unattended

Asking for the rain, when the soil still sits untilled”

“But my hands are empty, nothing within my grasp with which to till”

“Emptiness to you, sufficient to me...

Now listen to these words, here’s how to go......"

And instruction came, and within those words I found the strength

...The strength to prepare for my increase.

- Jhazmyn

Two farmers were praying and believing God for rain on their lands. It’s been months without rain and they were afraid to put the few seeds they had into the ground because they were not sure if it’d rain or not. Both farmers prayed but one of them went further by planting the few seeds he had. Should you be asked; “which of the farmers do you think actually believes God for rain?” I am sure your answer would be just as simple as mine; the one that planted his seeds.

In the bible, precisely in the book of 1 Kings 18, there were two people that we could liken to the two farmers illustrated above: Elijah and the King, Ahab. The Bible recorded, “And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees” – v41&42. The difference between an ordinary believer and a Faith believer is that while the former is eating and drinking just expecting increase, the latter is bent down, face between his knees – an action that signifies, “Lord, I believe you can do it. I will not let you go until you bless me”. So what can we learn from these two men when preparing for increase?

1. Believing is not enough, follow it with action: when you only believe without action, you are not acting in faith. Believing is like having a key and standing in front of the door without opening it or taking a cheque to the bank unsigned. To prepare for increase, we must move from the level of just believers to faith believers. The keyword, A.C.T.

2. When you see ‘little’, that’s the confirmation you need: Elijah did not wait till the rain started drizzling. As soon as the servant confirmed he saw “a cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea”, that was it! It was enough sign to believe in the God that never fails whenever we call upon him. To prepare for increase, watch out for signs. Don’t ever be in doubt even when all you see it little.

3. Run! When you run in faith, you run ahead of others. When the momentum of your action is not determined by news but by the word of God, no matter how long or how far people have been running before you, you will surely meet and overtake them. That was what happened in the case of Elijah. As soon as he saw the sign, he started running. God is happy when a man believes Him so much as to run with the WORD. How do I know you asked? Here, “The power of the LORD came on Elijah...” and guess what happened after, “...and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.”

- LDP

GPS (God's Positioning System) Navigation

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:28:00 +0000

I got to the airport and realised I had a few hours to spare, my hosts offered to send the driver down to pick me but I decided the weather looked great for a drive, plus, when last did I get to drive a long stretch on good roads. So I rented a car (made sure it was one that had a very good GPS navigator and off I went...windows down, fresh air right in my face and beautiful music playing in the background.

"Take a left turn at the next..." the voice instructed, and left I turned, "Take a right...", so I turned right, I missed my turn and there was that voice again telling me where I needed to turn to get back on track my destination, I felt good and so in tune with God...it made me think of how He directs us daily through the Holy Spirit.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it. - Isaiah 30:21

I smiled and said a silent prayer of thanks to God...."Its been amazing how You've been directing my steps so far You know and I love you more and more"

I cant exactly remember for how long but I realised that I'd been driving for almost 30 minutes on a stretch of road and I had not recieved any instructions....I got worried, maybe the GPS was broken. I parked the car and brought out the map that was stowed in the glove compartment, and heaved a sigh of relief when I saw I was still on the right track. Just as I pulled back into the road, the though crossed my mind and it made me smile even more....I remembered times when it seemed like I'd been on the same path for too long and I was pinning so bad for a change, I prayed and prayed asking God for direction but He remained silent...today made me realise that sometimes, His silence doesnt mean something is wrong, it could also mean we are on the right track, but we need to remain on this road just a little longer.

Few minutes later I pulled up at my destination....as I lay in bed that night, I thought of the day past and the lessons learnt on the road....Thank You Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Inspired by a sermon by Pastor Sam Adeyemi

Stranger in My House

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 11:57:00 +0000

In the words of Tamia....

You look just like the man in the picture by our bed,

I'm checkin' your clothes and you wear the same size shoe
You sleep in his spot and you're driving his car

But I don't know just who you are

There's no way you could be who you say you are, you gotta be someone else

Cuz he wouldn't touch me like that, and he wouldn't treat me like you do

He would adore me, he wouldn't ignore me, so I'm convinced there's a stranger in my house.

Last week I told you how we needed to pay the kids school fees

You snapped at me and yelled you had nothing to give....you were flat broke

Didi gave me a call just last night, she saw you with the boys,

and heard clearly when you said "Drinks are on me boys" Its my treat.

It makes me remember our little one of three years back...Only 3hrs we had to share

We didnt even get to name him....he was there and then he wasn't.

You did not talk to me for months after that,

your silence acused me and branded me guilty of murder

I wanted us to share our grief, but you would have nothing of it.

I had lost a child too you know, yet I could not grieve, you would not let me grieve

For if I did, who would have taken care of our 2year old daughter?

You screamed at me when I cried three days back,

Asked me to grow up and quit acting helpless and stupid

in your words "So what if you lost the job is, life happens to us all doesn't it? deal with it"

I really was going to deal with it, I guess I just wanted you to care, after all, I'm you wife for heavens sake.

I miss having you listen and tell me words that I already know

Not because I cant tell them to myself, but at least, then I know you care

My friends and family tell me I need to be strong, afterall they warned me ahead

"He's always been selfish and immature and the present pressure is more than he can handle"

"But don't act like he's a different man....he never changed you know"

Part of me hates that they're right...Part of me refuses still to accept

So here I lie in the dark, your silent snore the only thing I still can recognise

The tears dont fall but my heart bleeds in many places...Its a pain I'm becoming used to

I know I want more, I deserve more than you offer me right now

And if you're really honest with yourself ..... you'd agree that I speak the truth......

Stylish and Versatile Bloggers Award

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:15:00 +0000

So I got the award from Myne (Thanxs a bunsh Myne) and I must say I am flattered and honored (girlish giggle), even though when it comes to style, I must confess I need major help, lol.

So here's the rule :
1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
2. Tell us 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 other bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know that they have won.

7 things about me....hmmmm

1. I can be outspoken but I have moments when I'm totally self conscious to a fault.
2. I cry when I watch movies, not just :"tears streaming down my face" kindda crying, but "nose running, body jerking" sobs (depending on how long the scene that evoked the tears drags on for).
3. I google my name and friends name every now and then
4. Once in a blue moon, when I'm bored, I play dress up. I choose a theme or imaginary event and dress the part, make up and accessories included.
5. I can be a recluse and when I get in that mode, I really just want to be left alone.
6. I imagine grabbing my boss by the collar and slapping away all her eccentricities.....hehehe, she's so unpredictable, yet that's what I love most about her.
7.People say my life itself is an oxymoron....na them sabi...lol

I hereby award the following bloggers:

Rita
Blessing
Jaycee
Gbemisoke
Writefreak (Who has been AWOL since forever)
Mwajim
Lara
YNC
Zoe
Afronuts
Enkay
MOH
LDP
2cute4u
Lani

Have a great week y'all, I plan to, no matter what may come :)

I'm Back

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 11:45:00 +0000

Wow.....I'm finally back from my self imposed e-vacation (very much needed vacation), and it feels real good to be back, lemme start by saying HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone...better late than never right *smile*.

I have a feeling I'm going to quit being anonymous this year, cos I've reviewed this space and I keep asking myself the reason for being anonymous, anyways, all that in due time.

So much happening, yet I still lack the words to share, but its all good good good.

Ok, just wanted to say I'M B-A-C-K-K-K-K......see you guys again real soon, muah

Welcome Home

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:01:00 +0000

So I was waiting for the last of them for this year...you see, the women around me are like successful farmers, sowing and reaping the fruits of their womb as though they are the only ones God gave the mandate to "be fruitful and multiply"...hehehehe....

I dedicate this post to officially welcome my lovely nieces, nephew-in-law (is there such a word?), and surrogate niece, here they are in order of birth

Anuoluwa-Chimmy ( God's Mercy/God did it) - Chimmy being short for Chimere - Born on the 20th September and the 9th grandchild of my mum and dad (hmm, them don try o, thats what u get when u birth 5 girls...hehehe)

Ayomide (My joy has come) - The first grandchild in my family dynasty (from my hubby's side), Born on the 1st of October

Jahkim - Toluwani (God Established/ God's own) - My lovely surrogate niece, Born on the 6th of November

Kella or Kelechi-Daniella - My adorable niece, born on the 15th of November and the 10th grandchild of my mom and dad.

Its amazing how faithful God has been, and to think i already have 5 on the count down for next year...Wow, I'm surrounded by blessed women

PS: I apologize in advance to Ayomide, so sorry i wasn't able to get a clearer picture of u, and when u get to see this in the future, pls know that you have ur uncle D to blame o...lol

No title

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 09:47:00 +0000

I really am not sure what to title this, I just know I have a lot on my mind and I have decided I want to share them here, in this place.

Lately, I've been ungrateful and I hate that about me, I've bitched about my house and how much I hate the environment, how crass it is and how its wasn't in my plan to remain in this kind of environment after marriage. I've nagged about how the traffic causes me so much stress and agitation and how spending 3hours to work and 3hours back is causing me so much grief. I've grumbled about how for the past year, each time we are about to make concrete plans on our "vacation" something else comes up and we have to abort...bottom line, I've been doing a lot of grumbling lately and each time I complain, D makes a step to try and make that situation better for me, he stretches himself to try and make things more comfortable for me....and is that enough? NO, I keep thinking, all I wanna do is just get out of this environment....yeah, I've been that kind of wife and no, I'm not proud of it.

I've been the type to shake my head at people that are caught up with "keeping up with the Joneses" but lately its hit me, that's exactly what has been plaguing me of late...talk about removing the speck in your brothers eye without first dealing with the log in your eye.

I could blame it on the fear of having to keep "hustling" like I did all through most of my younger years, but hey, I'm not the first and i wont be the last. I could blame it on PMS, but news flash, I'm not the only woman in the world and others are living life just fine. I could blame it on the burden of daily round the clock stress but, I am aware that a million others face even worse stress.

All in all, I've not been a very supporting wife to a husband who has done all in his power to make his wife happy, from a face uplift at home, to getting me a driver, to promising me that vacation, no matter how small and this is my way of telling him I'M SORRY (cos he's always the first to read my blog), and also my way of holding myself accountable to change. I wanna choose contentment, and I wont stop there, I would go ahead and choose contentment. Mama didn't raise no whiner so I don't plan to disappoint her neither do I plan to compromise on the vow "for better or worse". I know life is what I make it and I know that godliness with contentment is great gain so I had better start living out what I know.

Who knows, I might take down this post in a few days to come so as not to "tarnish my image"...lol, or I might leave it, who knows, it might serve a good purpose someday, whatever the case, this post is up for now cos I believe sometimes it helps to share that chink in the armor with people who can both help you or be helped by you. And if it comes back to bite me in the behind...oh well, guess that'll make another story.

PS: I still don't have a title :)

Is it your business?

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:52:00 +0000

So yesterday, I had a Soda and biscuits as breakfast and by 2pm, I felt hunger pangs and knew nothing else would make sense until I eat.

Just as I was about to ask the office assistant to help me pick up something for lunch, my colleague said, haaa, Mrs, you are getting big o, maybe you should skip lunch today...I slowly turned to look him over properly, I took in his protruding tummy, made more obvious by the almost bursting buttons on his shirt, shook my head, ignored him and kept on speaking with the office assistant.

He "wisely" waited for the guy to leave then he repeated his statement...at this point, I really couldn't hold my tongue anymore cos this was a clear case of the pot calling the kettle black, so I told him....Mr, when I get any where near you, then I know for sure that there is cause for alarm....number 2, it is no business of yours how big or how small I am, number 3, when I start wearing size 10 dresses, then maybe you can talk, but as far as I still fit into my size 8 dresses, then I am not overweight, also even when I start wearing size 10 dresses, you still do not have the right to talk cos as long as I'm 5ft11, I reserve the right to wear size 10 dresses.

That said and done I turned to face my work....now some may say I should have kept mute, but in my defense, I'm done with people discussing my weight, last year, it was that I looked too small to be a married woman, this year that nature has allowed me put on some flesh, people still talk, so I'm sending this post out as a warning, If you see me and you think you have something to say about my weight, do yourself a favor and let it remain just that....a thought....Now that being said, I think i can face my work...hehehe

Ok, to be fair, I wasn't angry at all at him, just amused at how people carry extra "wahala" on their head, plus, I'm proud of my new found size...D says he like the "feel" *wink wink*...lol.

When I wondered why...

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:17:00 +0000

I had been in the mud pits for most of that day

Being a child, I loved the mud,

I loved its sticky browness and its seeming warmth

The way it made its way into the crevices between toes n fingers

The way it caked on my skin when I let it stay on me a while.

I loved the mud

I remember getting home and seeing my siblins

Beaming excitedly as they packed for summer camp.

You see, today was the first day of camp

Daisy, CeeCee and Karen were sure to go.

So naturally, I though I would too

I saw mum...saw the slight frown, the gentle shake of her head

and then her smile.

I guess she was dissapointed in the dirt, But she loved me still

With one wave of her hand she sent me to the bath

and with tender strokes washed away all the grime

I watched the brown stains drain away,

never to return ever again....I was clean

I waited and waited for my bags to be packed

But it never was.

When I asked, all i got was that same gentle shake of her head

"Not this time darlin", not this time....

Crushed, I swore never to return to the mud

I remembered in shame how I splashed around in the pits

Now, because of it, Mum loved me less

And there would be no summer camp for me

Two years passed, Each year, camp came and passed

But I remained at home...that darned mud pit

Today, one week to the start of camp,

mum came in and asked me to get set...I was going to camp

She said it was never my time all those years

But now was perfect timing

I began to cry...all these while i knew mum loved me

But i felt she loved me a lil less cos of that time i was messed up

Turns out she never stopped loving me,

All she wanted was for my best....

and now....MY BEST IS HERE

PS:

Ps 103:2(MSG)

"as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins."....

Eph 3: 17-19

....And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Seeing the Finish Line

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:03:00 +0000

Its about the 2000th mile.....

I feel my muscles straining,

hear my panting...like echoes from another plane,

My heart pounds so hard against my chest....and I savor the feeling,

It tells me I still have strides in me,

There's no giving up this race....till I cross the finish line.

....The Finish line...

Now, that's an interesting part of this race,

Cos, I don't know where "it" is,

3000th mile? 4000th?....

I really do not know,

But I know its there, somewhere in the horizon,

My coach says it is...He's seen it you know.

So I pace,

I listen out for my coach and I pace....

"Slow down now" He says

"Now pick up the speed"

"Have a drink of water"

"I know you're weak, but just take one step"

"One foot in front of the other...you can do this".

And that's how we've come this far, Coach and I

I remember telling Him once,

"Just tell me where the race ends, lemme know where the line is

then I'll be better, I'd plan the course and at least I'd know

how much longer I have left till the final distance"

To which He replied.

"All you need, and all you'd ever need to cross that line

Is to listen to me,

Let My voice be your focus,

then I would guide you, and bring you across that finish line"

Hebrews 12:2a (New International Version)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

THE RACE

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:29:00 +0000

I'm reading the book "Finishing Strong" by Steve Farrar, I have read it some years back but while in the bookshop I stumbled on it (I gave my previous copy out to a friend who seized it..lol) and so I bought another copy, intending to give it to hubby. I saw it on the dresser yesterday and i picked it up and started to read, I read this poem and it struck a chord.

If you're like me, you've been to the place of "failure" on several occasions, that place where you just want to give up and walk away from that dream that looms higher than you, if you're in that place now, I pray you get to read this poem and be encouraged to keep on moving on, no matter how hard. It tells the story of a boy in a race and how he fell three times but because of his father cheering him on in the stands he got up each time and continued the race.

Maybe you don't have anyone cheering you on and you feel its not worth it, lemme be that voice cheering you on today...go ahead and keep running...life is not a 100yard dash, but a marathon, its not about how fast you finished...its that you did finish.

THE RACE

Defeat, he lay there silently
A tear dropped from his eye
There's no sense running anymore
Three strikes, I'm out, why try?

The will to rise had disappeared
All hope had fled away
So far behind so error prone
A loser all the way

"I've lost, so what", he thought
I'll live with my disgrace
But then he thought about his dad
Whom soon he'd have to face

"Get up" the echo sounded low
"Get up" and take your place
You were not meant for failure here
"Get up", and win the race

With borrowed will "Get up" it said
"You haven't lost at all"
For winning is no more than this
To rise each time you fall

So up he rose to run once more
And with a new commit
He resolved, that win or lose
At least he shouldn't quit

So far behind the others now
The most he'd ever been
Still he'd give it all he had
And run as though to win

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling
Three times he'd rose again
Too far behind to hope to win
He still ran to the end

They cheered the winning runner
As he crossed the line first place
Head high and proud and happy
No falling, no disgrace

But when the fallen youngster
Crossed the line, last place
The crowd gave him the greater cheer
For finishing the race

And even though he came in last
With head bent low, unproud
You would have thought he'd won the race
To listen to the crowd

And to his dad he sadly said
"I didn't do too well"
"To me you won", his father said
"You rose each time you fell"

by D. H. Groberg

PS: For the sake of the length i cut off a few verses, i hope the message still got across...

I Praise - Day 31 (The gift of New Mindsets)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:26:00 +0000

31 days Father, and today my heart rejoices, through it all i have realized the gift in choosing to praise, in choosing to walk in a constant state of thanksgiving even when things dont seem like it.

Its been an amazing month, You have opened new doors, You have blessed the works of my hands, You have caused my heart to rejoice and when the tears flowed, i still found a melody within to hold on to.

A new month is here already, and for me, its going to be a month of continual praise. Indeed, the joy of the Lord is my strength....through this month, You have strengthened me as I remained in an attitude of thanksgiving...

BE GLORIFIED for ever and ever.

I Praise - Day 30 (The gift of God's Wonder)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:58:00 +0000

O Lord, my God
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands has made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder.
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul
My savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art.

Father Your awesomeness overwhelms me at this point and I'm at loss for words to exalt You as You truly deserve....To know You, to Love You, to trust in You, is a gift, and Lord, for this, I say Thank You. That I am called Your daughter, I say Thank You,That I can boast in You as my Father, I say, Thank You.

What more could a girl want Lord??????

I Praise - Day 29 (The gift of progress)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:48:00 +0000

So we commenced on phase 2 and even though there was a glitch and an important team member bailed out last minute (situation beyond her control), we still hit our target.

For this Lord, I'm grateful. I know I started out being agitated, I know I'm still kindda upset (but I know it'll pass soon) but I also know that You deserve all the praise and glory right now.

Thank You Father, and as we move on to finalize phase 2, we continually look to You to see as through.

I Praise - Day 28

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:29:00 +0000

I've heard stories, seen situations, women who don't like their mothers-in-law, mothers-in-law choosing not to love the woman their son has chosen to spend the rest of his lives with, But today Lord, I want to thank you for this mother who has embraced me as hers , this mother who respects me in ways that amaze me, this mother with whom. I have experienced a continuous outflow of love.

She prayed for me like my mother would, covered me like my mother would and so Lord for blessing me with her love, today I want to say THANK YOU

I Praise - Day 27 (The gift of rest)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:19:00 +0000

Father, I looked forward to this time, when I could lie back and just drift.

Deadlines met, responsibilities met, and for the next few hours, all that is required of me is just to rest.

I could argue, that its nothing to be grateful for but then I reflect on those people for whom the longing for rest is a continous one, they never know when or if that rest would come. Even in sleep, rest still alludes them.

So Father, once again I say, THANK YOU, for the gift of rest

I Praise - Day 26 (The gift of peace)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Peace I leave with you, my own peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid....John 14:27 (Amp).

Today was a roller coaster, excitement mixed with exhaustion, mixed with new challenges then more exhaustion, and when I began to feel that fear in my heart, wondering if maybe I had bitten off more than I could chew, I found my peace in You, in Your word.

Thank You for the peace I find in You Father, no one else can fill my heart with peace the way that You do, and because of this peace I am strenghtened.

I Praise - Day 25 (The gift of fellowship)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:33:00 +0000

I'm heading home now after todays service and as my Spirit rejoices in Your word, I want to thank You for the gift of fellowship, for the gift of corporate praise, the gift of corporate prayer.

Thank You too for Your word, which brought wisdom (without sorrow), With all my heart, I thank You for a time of fellowship with You.

I Praise - Day 24 ( The gift of progress)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:01:00 +0000

We're moving on with the new project and Lord I'm excited.

We're satisfied with what we've done so far and so Lord today I just want to say Thank You for the completion of phase 1.

Thank You cos there were no glitches, no hassles beyond what we could handle and no wasted efforts.

As we prepare to embark on Phase 2... I ask that You take control.

Amen

I Praise - Day 23 (Thankful for little acts of love)

noreply@blogger.com (jhazmyn) — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:40:00 +0000

I'm smiling so hard right now Dad, and You know why.

I don't have much to say tonight, but I'd love to say thank You for the little acts of love that make me smile long after the moment is past.

Life is beautiful when love brushes gentle strokes across our hearts, and for this, I go to bed tonight with gratitude in my heart.

PS: Though there are those moments when you cry, relish more the moment when joy explodes within your heart