Ola is a gem. Truly. She has a quiet strength. The kind that makes you feel safe, seen, and at the same time pushes you forward. When I first met Ola I was struck by her walk of confidence, her wide smile, and absolutely in love with her fashion choices. She is every inch a lady, then wife, and then mother who is also going for her Doctorate. Her gorgeous self reflects that she knows who she is, walks in her calling and identity that God has called her. In her eyes there is life of adventure that swims in them. More than anything though…it is light and favor that rests on her that draws not only myself, but others to her. Her story on Joy, I believe we can all relate in someway and be strengthen by her words. Enjoy.
I remember walking home one night after a long day and not feeling fine. I had thrown up almost the entire day. What I was already thinking about in my head I was too scared to confirm… was I pregnant? My husband and I planned to wait for at least a year after marriage before having a baby. Moreover, I was just resuming graduate school, so how was I going to handle having a baby at this time? We didn’t even have savings for this, and weren’t living together at the time.
All these and other questions plagued my mind. I went to the pharmacy to buy the pregnancy test strip. Spending the entire journey home, praying it was negative. At this point,I made all the promises I could to God . I closed my eyes and opened them slightly at the test strip. Two red lines came smiling back at me, I was pregnant!
At the time, I had mixed feelings. I was excited about a new baby growing inside of me, and thinking all the thoughts I had mentioned previously. I quickly called my husband to tell him, and he was excited and said this was God’s gift. This didn’t take away all the feelings I felt, but I thanked God for it. I remember bringing those thoughts to God. While taking my short evening walks a song that was laid up in my heart. It goes thus,
“God will work it out
God will work it out,
One thing I know
One thing I’ve found
God will work it out.”
With this song came such a reassurance and reminder of the goodness, love, and care of a good father who is with me and who cares. This brought a great smile to my face… he cares! I am not alone in this; he is right here with me, going through everything and bringing me victory… Oh, what a joy that filled my soul. This was still the same me with the challenges as I thought about it. But with an assurance that the God who created the heavens and earth was right here with me! This gave me unwavering joy right through each trimester.
God outdid himself, but before I go on with this story, yours might not be the same. You might even think yours is worse, worthy of taking away the joy that you have. It could be because of a sickness that you currently have, or loss of a loved one, or … the list could go on and on. But remember, by thinking and worrying, how many inches are you able to add to your height, or to reduce the pain you feel?
Jesus said, “In this world you will have many troubles, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
It amazes me how troubles and cheerfulness appear in the same verse. God acknowledges that troubles will come so long as we are in this world. But he didn’t stop there, he told us how we can respond to them because he has worked it out in our favor already – overcome.
At first, I wasn’t happy that Jesus said we would have troubles in this world, why can’t it just be perfect? Yet, I was grateful he did mention it, so I wouldn’t be surprise; it also shows the sincerity of Jesus. This taught me how to prepare my mind for circumstances that could happen, yet trusting that I already have the victory. There is no point thinking about things outside our control, oh, God! I know this can be the default response, and how many times I have caught myself overthinking things, but I remember and just cast your cares upon him, knowing it isn’t my mind to handle.
Few years back, a lot of things we have the luxury of enjoying today didn’t seem possible. For instance, it looked impossible to fertilize an egg outside of the human body, it also looked impossible to stop the heart and start it again when having a medical procedure, and it looked impossible to travel outside the Earth and come back. I’m sure you could add to the list too. This thus means that the word “impossible” is relative, and as humans, we still have things that look impossible, but not with God. If thou can believe, ALL THINGS are possible to him that believes.
While science is still trying to make new discoveries and access possibilities it couldn’t attain, God speaks as one who is at the beginning and at the end, and in absolute control. Which He is. We don’t have to wait for humans to make discoveries for our joy to be secure. No, it isn’t mine to handle. We already have an anchor who secured our Joy, He is Jesus. Nothing comes as a surprise to Him; He has a good plan ahead of anything we might face. As humans, we are smart enough to make spare parts for items we create, for instance, Apple phones. The producers had foresight on if damage happens to the phone, without making assumptions that the phone will last eternally, HOW MUCH MORE GOD!
While there are many things fighting for our joy, the source of our joy will determine how we respond.
Our joy is found on the truth of God’s word, which is unwavering and always true, regardless of our circumstances. I picked out two definitions on the meaning of joy based on Merriam-Webster.com: Joy is a state of happiness or felicity, or a source or cause of delight. I like the latter better, a source or cause of delight. We can let the word of God be our source of delight.
To my pregnancy journey, I received more help than I could have asked for. My family had enough supplies for our baby, I was able to relocate to be with my husband. Transferring to a school closer lets me continue my graduate program. I was given a break to spend time with my newborn. My church family threw a baby shower with lots of gifts, and I was well fed by my church family. My husband was very supportive and I healed well postpartum. I love motherhood! Watching my daughter sleep, cuddle, sit, crawl, walk- I love every moment … my goodness.
I see God’s love expressed more to me in a way I would never have known while I cared for my little one.
I’m reminded that just as I can love a human I just met with such tenderness and care, God’s love surely outdoes mine. My daughter will be clocking one in a few days, and I am so privileged to walk this journey with her. I know that no matter what comes, I have a good father who cares, and on this, I have found my Joy. What about you?