#Purposeful Living Personal Memoirs

Life Lately: What Gratitude Looks Like For Me Right Now

I’ve had a really amazing weekend.
A weekend so good it had me crying on the shoulders of a sister… not tears of sadness but tears of joy.
The weekend had me laughing out crazily at just how good God is…
The weekend had me locking up myself in the rest room just to be able to get some quiet to kneel down and thank God for His awesome deeds in my life.

 

The Gracdmisfit and Vicky gave me a gratitude challenge and what better time to get on it but now?
Firstly thank you for getting me on this challenge…
Ore-ofe blogs at www.thegracdmisfit.com
And Vicky blogs at http://kambishares.blogspot.com

 

Now to things I’m grateful for…

 

(1) For God.
Don’t tell me He isn’t real.
Don’t tell me He doesn’t exist.
Who else would take my skewed up broken past and turn it around for good?
Who else would take the story of my abortions and then have a Church full of “big men and women” stand up in applause as I told it?
Who else would turn a mess into a message?
Who else would turn my life virtually 360 degrees around and create a divergence between the past and the present? The divergence between the past is there but still it merges into new life in Him…
For God…to God, I’m ever grateful.
My Father, my lover, my king… always and forever, it’s me and you. Me in you. Always…into eternity.

 

(2) For Pastor Nathaniel Bassey.

I and Pastor Nat..peek from my awesome weekend!

I and Pastor Nat..peek from my awesome weekend!

There are men of God and then there are men of God.
There are pastors and then there are pastors who care for their flocks like one of their very own…
When I was in Ekiti, I would get a ping from Pastor Nat… “you this girl, I am proud of you.”
My heart would soar and almost burst in my chest.
Then he said “when will you be in Lagos, I want a book launch to be held for you at the King’s Court”.”
And then when I came into Lagos and was just in a season of trusting God, he said “God will test your heart Frances, just to see if you really love Him like you say you do. The faith walk is a very interesting one.”
Again he said “I know what to do with this now, God will bless you Frances, so much so, even at the end of this year, you won’t be looking like this.”

 

I stood with you as you spoke about the book at the book launch at King’s court yesterday and heard you say “we are trusting God that this book will go all around the world.”
I don’t know how many pastors still prophesy over their flock and mean it but you do.
I have seen so much light in myself as I look and hear God’s word flow through your mouth.
I wonder how come you take such an interest in me… in us… the flock God has put in your hands…

 
I look at your family, sister Sarah, David… and I know that a godly family where Christ reigns is doable and I can have that.
You teach us not just with words but with your actions.
You do not just want to be used by God, you love God and it spills over into everything you do.
Thank you for pouring out of yourself into us. I am grateful for you… always.

 

(3) For the Word.
I am grateful for God’s word that lights up lives and hearts and infills spirits with hope.
I am grateful for gentle whispers of “I haven’t forgotten you, I never forget my promises.”
I am grateful for gentle whispers of “it has only just begun, this is just the beginning.”
I am grateful for audacious promises like “kings shall come to the brightness of your rising!”
I am grateful that in the midst of the world’s chaos, the Word is my anchor.

 

 

(4) For the Spirit.
I stood in front of Church and said my testimony and didn’t bat an eyelid.
And even when I had jitters, still by the Spirit I knew that I had committed two abortions for such a time like this… to stand bold by the Spirit’s help and show forth God’s glory brought to bear in new life.
All the courage, boldness, etc is none of mine but all of Him.

 

(5) For Family.
We are not a perfect bunch of persons bound by blood but I see the imperfect family being raised by God into perfection.
Day after day you work on our hearts, from Dad to Mom, to us the 5 siblings.
Day after day, our hearts are molded into yours.
Through the brokenness, mistakes, confusion… your glory is shining through.

 

(6) For Purpose.
Through my brokenness, I have found purpose… you have wrought purpose in me.
I wake up with no longer a sense of shame but that of validation in you.
I have a place on this earth.
I have a niche to fill on earth.
You have given me a spot to fill up with your glory and let the scent spread to the World to light up other souls in you.
Considering just how undeserving I am of this, it leaves me breathless each and every time.

 

(7) For divine helpers.
I have enjoyed this so much from you Lord… so much so, it will be rude not to mention it.
In places where I have felt alone, you’ve brought in those mails of “I’d love to help with…”
I don’t take them for granted at all.
I don’t.
Thank you Lord.
Thank you.

 
(8) For blog readers/online blog family.
I have met so many family members through this e-world, it’s amazing!
Some I look at and I’m like “where did I meet you?! Online?”
You guys have been such a blessing to me.
Whenever I get mails, I’m like “Lord this was a small blog, you had such plans for this?”
You are all a part of the people God has blessed me with… thank you.
Thank you for being there… both the silent and non-silent online family 🙂

 
I am so certain that there’s more things that my heart sings gratitude for but thank God that you see my heart Lord, so you know… more than I could write/say, you know.
Thank you my lover and my friend.
My God… my only God… thank you.

 
Love,
Frances.

 

 

PS: What are you grateful for?
Wanna share? Comment below and let’s change the air of complaints that seem to wrap the world and turn ours to thanksgiving.

 
P.P.S: Giveaway of e-copies of my book “10 Steps to walking in purpose” are still on till December 7th 2015.
Enter for it here

 
And there will be a book reading/discussion on purpose coming up on Saturday December 12th 2015 here in Lagos.
We will be reading and discussing “Step 6: share your story, own your brokenness”.
It’s not just a book reading but a meeting I pray people come to and leave with more clarity as regards their purpose in life.
It will hold in VI Lagos… if you are interested, please holla in the comment section below.
I will communicate more details to you via your mails.
Also you can start inviting friends, family..etc. Basically invite everyone you know is desirous of #Walking in God’s purpose for their lives…
Thank you!

 

 

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12 Comments

  • Reply
    1 + The One
    November 30, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Congratulations Frances! I thank God for your life and how much He has invested in you.
    May He take you higher and make you greater in Jesus name xxxx

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      December 2, 2015 at 9:26 am

      Thanks so much Ayo…God is just awesome really!

      And amen and amen and amen!

  • Reply
    lizzy
    November 30, 2015 at 11:41 am

    I’m thankful for life: that I’m alive today is by His grace, Divine health: since I gave my life over to him, av not had cause to take even paracetamol, Family: for sustaining and keeping us together, Fiance: for bringing such a sweetness into my life, he is God’s love made flesh to me, Purpose: though not fully clear but thankful for the work is doing in me and through me and also for the next move He’s about starting, Career: thankful for the past jobs and also my new job which am starting in Jan 2016, friends: making me meet beautiful people in 2015 who have all impacted my life positively, also thankful for u frances and many other christian bloggers such as E’ and 1+the one who have been a blessing to me. And also thankful for so many more

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      December 2, 2015 at 9:29 am

      Awww… Lizzy…pour out the thanks, God has been so good to you..I’m thankful for your life…
      Glad you have a man who mirrors God’s heart to you…
      Love how even for the purpose that isnt clear, you’re grateful…
      Can only be God.. 🙂

  • Reply
    Mobolaji
    November 30, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    As for thanking God…a thousand tongues, speaking a thousand languages, in a thousand years will not be enough! He is too good o!
    I bless God for you. I am grateful for how He is using you and blessing lives because you yielded to His call. God bless you babe! God bless you!

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      December 2, 2015 at 9:33 am

      Definitely…words would never be enough..never..even tears and laughter sometimes don’t say the thanks like we want it to do…
      God is just too amazing B!

      I’m even more grateful when I look at my life..not deserving..its all Him

      Love you babes

  • Reply
    Eby
    December 1, 2015 at 12:56 pm

    i’m thankful for so much, for family, friends, life and purpose. I’m mist greaful for the plans God has for me and the fact that eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, it hasnt entered into the hearts of men what He has in stores for me.
    Frances i’m intrested in the book reading and i’m really looking forward to it how can i be apart of it? My email is ebyakhigbe@gmail.com. Thank you

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      December 2, 2015 at 9:36 am

      Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard… another amazing promise that He’s just started with us…

      Sent you a mail on the book reading Ehy dear..would be great to have you there 🙂

  • Reply
    Distinguished
    December 3, 2015 at 10:26 am

    I’m grateful to God for everything I am and have today, including the things He has taken from me cos He knows they ain’t right for me. God is too good to me! He’s been Faithful, kind, loving… I can’t tell it all!

    This year, I experienced a different dimension of God’s love, He taught me to trust Him completely and I’m better for it. I’m grateful to God for giving my sister admission this year after 5 years of writing JAMB. I’m grateful to God for preserving my life and that of my household. I’m grateful to God for the Beautiful doors of opportunity He opened up to me this year. I’m grateful to God for connecting me to the imperfectlyperfectlives,com e-family. I’m grateful to God for connecting me to you Frances and other christian bloggers who challenge me to be a better christian lady…. My heart is full of gratitude, i can’t tell it all!

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      December 5, 2015 at 7:00 am

      *I cannot tell it all*…
      Oh Distinguished, when we count our blessings, this is just finally where it leaves us…with no words to adequately explain what our hearts say…
      I join you to bless God for your life…lessons…family…an awesome year!
      God is faithful!

      Love you sis

  • Reply
    Ugochi
    December 3, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    With God Frances, you have no limitations! Keep fulfilling purpose, God is just beginning….
    So proud of you!
    Congratulations!

    • Reply
      Frances Okoro
      December 5, 2015 at 7:04 am

      Thank you so much Aunty Ugochi…
      God is indeed just beginning..thats another aspect of this that blows me away..”
      Like He’s just beginning? Even with all these that I see???
      Woah!

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