Testimony of Obedience and Faith

A friend of mine shared her testimony with me and I asked if I could post it on my blog. God is amazing and He is so real.

A Testimony of Faith & Obedience

A quote I read recently describes my testimony aptly.

“Why am I hopeful about the future? God and I have a history” – Jimmy Pena

I got married in January 2010. Prior to getting married in early 2009, I started getting this weird feeling that I would have issues conceiving. I had also been told by an OBGYN in the UK in 2007 that I had a small fibroid and the doctor said it wasn’t a big deal.

At first I didn’t pay attention to the dream, but it kept occurring so I shared it with my then Pastor. We prayed about it and life went on.

About 4 months after getting married, in May 2010 I decided to get an OBGYN in Nigeria as I hadn’t seen one in a while. I went to see one and he decided to do a scan as it was my first visit with him. The scan took forever and he asked me all types of questions. He eventually told me I had a thick endometrium which meant the lining of my womb didn’t shed monthly as expected. He said people with this condition usually had a hard time conceiving and the sample of the lining would have to be tested for Cancer…at this point I was just confused.

I was like Hol up hol up hol up, whatttt! I came just to get a regular girlie checkup, what is all this story!!

It got so deep after that, he asked that I schedule an appointment where they would get a sample of the lining of my womb, test it and we would take it from there. Back then I wasn’t as spiritually inclined as I am now, so fear CONSUMED me! I mean I was totally freaking out!

My husband who is usually calm, was like no worries, we will get it sorted out. My father was always very particular about anything health-related, my mother has a medical backgroundand my sister was then a doctor in training. When I told them both, their medical minds were like wow this is serious, we need a second opinion. My sister was getting married in June2010, so we decided that we would go see the OB in the UK after her wedding. 

Prior to that, God had sent random people with direct messages to me. I call them random because I didn’t have direct relationships with them. One of them was a member of the church I attended before I got married, she didn’t even know my name but she apparently described me quite well. She had a dream and saw me trying to open a bottle of champagne with my teeth and I broke a tooth in the process, this meant that Celebration was coming but while trying to handle it myself, I would loose something! The other person was my mums aunt who I can’t even point out in a crowd and who happens to be muslim, she called my mum and randomly started asking how is Foluso, she shouldn’t have any surgeryo, don’t worry she will have children! See why I said random!!

After the wedding, my mum and I went to the UK and the first weekend there, I attended church with my friends. There was a bookstore in the church and this was the first time I came across the book ‘Supernatural Childbirth’ by Jackie Mize. I bought the book and started reading it. That book is such an amazing book. The book is aptly titled as the lady in the book had been told she would never have children and ended up having FOUR miracle children as she calls them!

I made up my mind while reading this book and talking to God that I wouldn’t have any surgery, no matter what the doctors, family etc said. It had become crystal clear to me that performing surgery would end in me losing something and God was telling me to ignore all I was told and watch him work. So I proceeded in Faith! This was the first time in my life I was doing anything like this but I had a Peace that I could not explain to anyone.

The OBGYN in the UK confirmed all the OB in Lagos said and she was even more urgent as she said we had to perform the procedure ASAP. She also added that I had something called a polyp which is similar to a fibroid. She confirmed that it would be almost impossible for me to conceive unless a surgery was performed. She also wanted us to schedule a procedure asap so we could check the lining of my womb and make sure it wasn’t cancerous.

My husband, mum, dad, sister all thought I had lost my mind when I informed them I would not be performing surgery and God had revealed to me not to. My mum and I got into a fight and they were all certain I had lost my mind. This trip was in July. We went back to Lagos since I refused to perform any procedure and we all went about our lives.

Less than a month after the UK trip where the doctor said it would be almost impossible for me to conceive, I conceived! I found out I was pregnant and had conceived in August. I gave birth to the most beautiful, intelligent little angel on April 17, 2011.

Since that experience, my relationship with God has been completely different! My faith has been built and I walk in Obedience now! (well as much as I can, lol). Even when crazy situations come my way, I just remember in the words of Tye Tribett, ‘if he did it before, he’ll do it again’!

I can’t imagine what the devil had planned if I had gone ahead and done that procedure. Bottom line is, like 1 Samuel 15:22 says ‘Obedience is better than sacrifice’. Even with all the doctors’ reports, I have never had an issue conceiving and have 2 beautiful daughters.

I know its difficult when going through a hard time, but genuinely ask God for help. When God is speaking to you about a situation in your life, he will send a word or words of confirmation. He will give you peace that passeth all understanding. Just be obedient and watch him work!

So, why am I hopeful? Because God and I have history.

30 Days of Gratitude series

I was asked by Leading Ladies Africa to be part of a 30 Days of gratitude series hosted by Leading Ladies Africa and Ynaija. I've decided to share this on my blog. Enjoy

2015. A year filled with highs, lows and in-betweens. The year started with an incredible high, with the birth of my son. A son I had longed for. An answer to prayer over and above my expectations. Then towards the middle of the year, the most painful lows. My ex-boss, an amazing and jovial person died and as if that was not bad enough, my friend and wife to my spiritual brother who was also a contributor to my blog died after just 6 months of marriage and at the age of 26. It was a time of great despair, confusion and reflection. I was afraid. I thought “What is the point of living?” but I came out of it more determined to fulfill purpose.

Work wise, God opened unimaginable doors. Then there was a season of great trials. I was confused again. “What is happening Lord?” “Have I offended you?” So much was happening, so fast and all at once but like the saying ‘after the storm is the rainbow”, my rainbow surely came. This led to the birth of a dream God had that I had not fulfilled. It led to the birth of the Do it Afraid Conference. 

Things I've learnt. I've learnt that life is transient and very precious. Time is a gift and we have to use it to our fullest capacity.

I've learnt that great things are borne out of challenges. After all there was darkness and this led to the Lord saying "Let there be Light". The song "Miracle Worker" was borne out of a time of great despair for the song writer. 

I’ve learnt that when God gives you a vision, He makes provision, even with as little as N200 in your account.

I've learnt to embrace challenges. The challenges you are facing maybe the very thing that will set you free completely. It could be the game changer. If you give up then you lose out from something so amazing but if you push through it would be worth it at the end.

I've learnt that the Promised Land is filled with so many battles. It doesn't come easy. You have to take it. You have to possess the land. You have to be bold. You have to be courageous. You have to be fearless. You have to take risks. You have to step out in faith. You have to #doitafraid.

The quote "a ship is beautiful and safe in the harbour, but that's not what it was built for. It was built for the high seas", has become real. I'd rather be on the high seas of life, than sit pretty in the harbour. Only then will I be able to fulfil my purpose.

I'm grateful for all that I've learnt and experienced in 2015. It was a beautiful year. A year when Gods promises to me and mine began to manifest. A year of great triumph.

I'm excited about 2016. I'm excited to walk on water with God by my side. I'm excited to live out the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, Oceans by Hillsong.

Oceans (Where feet may fail)

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Oh, Jesus, you're my God!

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine 

The Bigger Picture

This afternoon Omotayo came to my office for a meeting and I was holding My son,

Olaoluwa. As we were about to start the meeting I asked my nanny if she wanted to go to my co-worker, Gbeke's office to hang out with her son and another co-workers son. She said yes and I thought it was brilliant because Olaoluwa would be able to play with the other babies, my nanny would be able to chat with the other nanny and I would be able to concentrate on my meeting with Omotayo. It was a win -win situation. However Olaoluwa began to cry. He didn't want to leave me. He wanted me to carry him. He cried really hard. I didn't budge and insisted that my nanny took him downstairs. As far as I was concerned it was for his own good. Omotayo caught a revelation as this happened, she said this is how God is with us. We want something so bad and we insist on getting our way but He doesn't budge because He knows what's best for us and His decision is usually the best option for us. Her revelation made me think. It was so true.

Often times we ask God for a husband, a new car, a new job, money, wealth etc but nothing happens. We get upset and we complain. We insist on our way. Father you must bless me today. We give Him deadlines on when He must answer us. He must answer us now or never. However from Gods perspective, He doesn't budge. He is not manipulated to answer when you want it. This is because He sees the bigger picture. He knows what is good for you. He knows what is best for you. 

Olaoluwa would have been better off playing with the other children. This would improve his interpersonal skills. He would also be motivated to achieve higher milestones as they are older than he is. Unfortunately he couldn't see the bigger picture. He wanted to be with mummy and couldn't careless about improving his interpersonal skills. It's the same way when we first tried to get him to crawl. We insisted on putting him on the floor periodically however each time, he would cry for us to pick him up. We knew what was best for him and so we didn't budge. Today he is crawling all over the place and is happy that he is able to move and discover new things. Infact now I'd rather carry him as opposed to crawling so that he doesn't hurt himself or break valuable items in the house. If we gave in to his cries he wouldn't be crawling today.

Is there something you have been waiting on God for? Is there something you are anxious about? Are you wondering why He hasn't answered your prayers? Rest in the fact that He sees the bigger picture. He knows what is good for you. He created you. He is your Father and He would only give you what you need when you need it. He is never late. He wants the best for you. He is teaching you something.  God created time but He is not limited by time and He does not exist in time. At the right time, when He believes you are ready, He would give you that thing you have been seeking and asking for. Remember delay is not denial. #beinspired #beencouraged