New Book: Life and Curveballs
Hello, the book above contains a collection of stories that I have written over the years. Interesting short stories and a play. It can be found on Amazon. Find link below https://a.co/d/0aZUBXuH
Written by Jennifer Azubuike Esther’s eyebrows burrowed into a frown as she reread the passage. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,” “What are you reading?” Jibu spied from over her shoulders. “It’s the Bible verse I was assigned for the Youth conference.” She replied without looking up from her iPad. “Cool! Are you supposed to memorize it for recitation? If so, reading from different translations like you have done will not make it stick.” He said as he took a seat beside her. “No, I am not reciting it. I am supposed to prepare a sermon on it, but it doesn’t make sense.” “What about it doesn’t make sense?” “Joy and trials in the same sentence!” Her frustration was evident in the inflection in her voice. “How do I tell people in good conscience to be joyful, happy, and feel privileged when facing difficult times? It just doesn’t feel natural.” “You didn’t write it, and it’s not your job to make it feel natural. Just preach it!” Jibu shrugged. Esther gawked at her brother in amazement. “Jibu, I was unhappy when I lost my job last year. And you, when you had your bad tooth back in June, were you joyful? I recall that you cried nonstop until it was removed. I will feel like a hypocrite telling people to be joyful and blah blah blah when I don’t do the same.” “Sheesh! Then don’t do it. I was only trying to help.” He got up and walked to the kitchen. “Oh, Hi, Mom.” “What are you two going on about?” Jibu’s mother, who heard their argument but stayed out of it, asked. “I was helping Esther with her presentation, but she didn’t appreciate my genius idea. She never does.” His mother chuckled. “What do you know about her job to help her with her presentation?” “It’s for the coming youth conference, not her job.” “Oh, should you not be preparing for the conference too?” “I’m not a preacher. I’ll just be gracing them with my distinguished presence that weekend.” Jibu grinned and moved away from the kitchen before he was unwillingly conscripted into a task, but his mother called after him. “Call your sister and come back here with her. I’d like to hear your brilliant ideas that she doesn’t appreciate.” While she waited for them, she turned down the stove. “Yes, Mom?” Esther spoke first as soon as they entered. “Jibu said you’re struggling with your presentation. What is it about?” Esther first eyed her brother for tattling on her. “I was asked to prepare a sermon on James Chapter One, but I can’t even get past the second verse.” “Why is that?” “Because it doesn’t seem honest!” She exclaimed and went on to share her dilemma. Their mother opened the verse on her Bible app and read it for herself. “Hmmm, I see what you mean; it does sound counterintuitive. Jibu, what was your idea?” “I told her to repeat what was written in the verse to her audience and not stress about it. Half the time, I don’t understand what is taught from that pulpit anyway.” “That was your bright idea?” His mother was half embarrassed for her teenage son, but she sighed. “Okay, Let’s break it down together, shall we? Do you remember when I started teaching you how to prepare my favorite fish stew?” Esther nodded. “How many times did you get it wrong.” “Oh, I don’t recall.” Esther smiled shyly. “At least two times?” Her mother raised an eyebrow. “Alright, maybe three?” Her mother chuckled. “Six times, to be exact, but each time was an improvement from the last. I remember how frustrated you were and would have given up if I hadn’t forced you to keep trying.” She paused and smiled at her daughter. “Today, you make it effortlessly and have even improved the recipe. In simpler words, James said challenges are opportunities to grow if only you can view them from that perspective. With such a mindset, you will rejoice when trials come your way instead of being sad about them.” “Mom, how sure are you that is what he was implying?” “He wasn’t implying it. It is what he said. Did you read verses three and four?” “I might have, but I was too hung up on verse two to pay attention.” “Well, do it, and read them out loud.” “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Esther read it twice, the second time much slower than the first. “So you mean if I believe that difficult situations allow me to learn something new and mature, then I will choose not to complain but be patient instead?” Her mother did not respond; instead, she fondly watched her interpret the verse and draw her conclusion. “What if it is a harrowing situation like losing my job?” “Or a tooth?” Jibu chipped in. “Losing your job was not harrowing, Esther, but I understand you felt that way. However, after losing your job, you worked hard to get another one. In the process, you mastered interviewing and communication skills, learned how to write good resumes, and became more social and outgoing. Would you say you are the same person you were while you held your previous job?” “Of course not. Mom, you’re so right! I have matured so much in one year.” “Good. And Jibu, you lost a bad tooth, which is good, or do you want it back?” “Nah! I am good.” Jibu waved dismissively. “Okay, so in summary, a mature mind will rejoice when difficult situations arise, not because of the situations themselves but because it will be a test of their character, the strength of faith, an opportunity to grow, and they know they will come out of it as a better person. Is that clearer?” “Absolutely! Thank you so
FAITH CHANGING ENCOUNTER
Written by Jennifer Azubuike Imagine you are a believer in God who always prays. They say prayer is a two-way street, but you never hear an audible voice back—just your voice when you pray. However, you feel God’s leading through the scriptures, inspirational songs, and inner witness. Then, one day, you are getting ready for bed when you turn around, and a human figure is sitting on the other side of your bed. You own the room alone or only share it with your spouse, but the person sitting there is not your spouse. This person smiles at you and says, “Hello Justin, I am Jesus, who you have been praying to…I thought the time was right to reveal myself to you.” Does it sound unreal? Maybe, but that was what happened to Moses. Moses went about his regular daily routine when God showed up. “The angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush….God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!… I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Exodus 3:2-6 The cool thing about this encounter was that God immediately identified Himself to Moses, so throughout this man’s ministry as a leader and deliverer, he never doubted God’s identity or power, regardless of his struggles and challenges. Jesus showing up in a person’s bedroom is an illustration. He chooses to reveal Himself any way He deems fit. The point is that there is a difference between a Christian who knows God and another who knows of God. A man who has encountered God believes deeply. What was the encounter that made a difference for you? See other posts here
THE RESTORER
Written by Jennifer Azubuike Many years ago, a funeral procession from the village of Nain was heading towards a cemetery outside the village gate. The deceased was the only son of his mother, who also happened to be a widow. According to the story, many people from the village came for the funeral, indicating that either the woman or her son must have been popular and loved. I also have a hunch that many people came to mourn with the widow out of sympathy that she had lost her source of livelihood, the chance of a future family (if her son died unmarried), caretaker, identity (being a patriarchal society), and genuine lover. The woman must also have been heartbroken and feeling hopeless. It was safe to say she lost everything until, well, Jesus showed up. What was the chance that Jesus, God in human flesh, was walking the earth at that time, in the middle of His ministry, and on the road to the same village at that exact time? The chance was slim, but everything aligned with bringing him there then. And because he is naturally compassionate, he wouldn’t let the funeral continue. He stopped the procession, raised the dead man back to life, and gave him back to his mother. In that instant, ALL hope was RESTORED for the woman. That is what Jesus does when he shows up in a dead, impossible, pitiable, or hopeless situation → He restores! Beloved, I don’t know how people live without Jesus on their side, but do not be one of them. Biblical reference: Luke 7:11-15 See other posts here
Sorrow that Heals
Written by Jennifer Azubuike Half an hour before midnight on the night of her weekly prayer. Nozi was seated on her bedroom floor with her laptop open and facing her. She has been watching a movie on it since 10 PM. At first, she wanted something to keep her awake until her quiet time at 11 PM, but the movie’s storyline got captivating. The protagonist, Dave Addison, was tricked out of his inheritance after his father’s death. He served and relied on financial support from his wealthy aunt, who he thought was doing him a favor. However, he was about to uncover the truth. At 10:45 PM, Nozi felt a nudge in her heart to stop the movie and prepare to start her quiet time, however, when she glanced at the time at the bottom of the screen and noted that she had 15 minutes more, she shrugged off the nudge and continued the movie. At 11 PM, the gentle nudge repeated but the movie was nearing its climax and Nozi could not pull away. “I will start at 11:30. Thirty minutes should be enough. It is also closer to midnight so I can start praying right after.” She convinced herself. After recognizing the peculiar circumstances surrounding his life, Dave began seeking the truth. However, his pursuit was cut short when his Aunt suddenly passed away, leaving him feeling depressed about losing his benefactor. The son of the wealthy deceased woman arrived in town to mourn his mother and take over her estate. After the funeral, he planned to dismiss all staff, including his cousin Dave, liquidate all assets, and move away with the money. He was succeeding until it was time to sell the mansion that had previously housed his mother. He couldn’t sell it because the house was in his uncle’s name, not his mother’s. This realization led to the unraveling of the truth about the estate ownership. When Nozi looked at the time again, it was 12:15 AM. She felt a pang of guilt that it was past midnight and she had failed to observe her quiet time nor prayed. While wallowing in guilt but still unable to pull herself away from the movie, she continued until the end. At 12:45 AM, Nozi closed the laptop and knelt beside her bed to pray, but the guilt of disobedience and disappointment in herself for indiscipline clouded her mind. Scenes from the movie replayed in her mind too. She considered giving up on praying and going to bed, but in that dilemma, she whispered. “Dear Lord, I have sinned. I am sorry. I didn’t mean to choose a movie over time with you. Forgive me.” She started the first song that came to mind. “What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!” As she sang, she felt her heart flood with a strong sense of sorrow. She cried, repented more, worshiped, and ended praying intensely for the next hour. * * * Dear reader, I wanted to remind us that “The kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT Nozi’s illustration above is considered sinful because she did not yield when prompted by the Holy Spirit, although to some people it may not appear sinful. The key point is to promptly return whenever the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin in our journey with Christ. Till next time, stay lifted! Read other uplifting posts here
When You Pray…
Written by Jennifer Azubuike At the close of work one day, I jumped into my car happy to head home. The radio came on as soon as I turned on the engine; it was a Christian radio station so I didn’t mind. I drove and listened as the host asked listeners to call in and define the acronym ‘PRAY.’ It was during this conversation, I heard for the first time the breakdown of the word. I call “pray” a word because I had never thought of it as an acronym before that moment. Before I go any further, here’s a useful context on prayer. The first time Jesus taught His disciples to pray, his words were recorded in the excerpt below. Later, His prayer was termed ‘Our Lord’s prayer.’ Over time it became the template that Christians use to pray. His words go thus: “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’’’ Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2,4 His prayer, when analyzed, contains elements of praise or reverence, repentance then requesting. I can summarize it as praise-repent-ask. However, The fourth letter of the acronym ‘Y’ as in yield caught me unaware since that element is not immediately apparent until you look closer – “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Yield by dictionary definition means to surrender to someone or something. If praying, as I know it, is mainly about listing personal desires to God with the expectation that He would do them like a child asking his/her parents for something, what has ‘surrender’ anything to do with it? But then as I thought about it I was reminded of Jesus’s example in Matthew 26 just before he was arrested and crucified. ‘Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” ‘Matthew 26:39 Jesus made that prayer the night He was betrayed into the hands of the people who would later kill him. Being all-knowing, He knew what was coming at that moment and was burdened by it, so he asked God to change his fate of death. It was a legitimate request because it was his heart’s desire at that moment, yet after asking he surrendered to God’s will. Because he surrendered, God’s will was established; today we celebrate salvation, deliverance, and many more through Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yielding is a part of praying which I have missed for so long. Of course, it will not be easy to incorporate into praying unless I can trust that God’s thoughts toward me are “thoughts of peace and not of evil to give [me] a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 **I’d love to read your thoughts on this in the comment section** Until next time, stay lifted! See other uplifting posts here
Faith’s Check
Written by Jennifer Azubuike —- “Faith! Where is Faith?” Ben called. “Faith? Who is Faith?” The librarian asked. “The teenage girl in glasses and a yellow backpack. She just came up the stairs.” “Oh! She walked to the fiction aisle to find a book. She should be around the corner.” “Thank you!” Ben waved as he walked away. “Faith.” He called in a near whisper when he found her. “Hey, What are you doing here?” Faith asked, surprised to see her father’s assistant. “I have something for you.” He unlocked his plastic file and removed an envelope. “Your father asked me to give you this.” Faith collected it from him and opened it. She quickly read a note contained inside and her countenance changed. Ben, on noticing her sadness, collected the note. Dear Faith, I am so sorry I had to hurry away on short notice. I have included a check to buy the things you requested. I promise to go with you to the science fair when I return on Tuesday. Love, Dad. He glanced back at her confused. “What is wrong? Why are you looking sad?” “I asked him for money. He gave me a check.” She said with her head lowered. “Isn’t a check as good as money? Let me see the check.” Ben collected the envelope and retrieved the check from inside. “Whoa! What exactly do you need this much to buy?” “Doesn’t matter. I asked for money, not a check.” “Okay, come let’s take a seat. There’s something I need to explain to you.” When seated, Ben asked, “Honey, what is your name?” “Did you forget my name or do you have sudden amnesia?” Faith was still upset. “Silly girl! Just answer the question.” “Faith! My name is Faith.” She answered reluctantly. “And what is the meaning of your name?” “It is to have confidence in something according to my dictionary, but my dad said it is the evidence of something someone hopes for.” “Excellent! Do you understand it? I mean your dad’s definition.” “No. Why would I hope for something I already have? It makes no sense.” “Great question! You hoped for money, but your dad gave you a check. When you take this check to the bank, because it is signed in your father’s name, the bank will exchange this piece of paper for the amount of money written on it.” “What if it is declined?” “Declined? Why would it be declined?” “I don’t know?” She shrugged. “Do you know who your father is?” Ben looked at the girl, stunned. “Do you know your dad can purchase this town, including your favorite library? And I mean this building you like to visit.” Faith was quiet momentarily as she gazed at him thoughtfully. “That means this check is evidence of the money I hope for?” “Yes, princess. It is the evidence you can present at the bank.” “Wait! If this check is my evidence like you said, then am I a check? Is that why I am called Faith?” Ben chuckled. “ You will have to ask your father. I am almost certain he has a good explanation” * * * In the eleventh chapter of the book of Hebrews, the new King James version defines faith as “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” while the New International version words it as “[the] confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Whichever version helps for easier comprehension, I still like to describe faith as a check on which is written God’s promises that we can hold on to until we see the manifestation of what is promised. While the young girl in the story above can take her ‘check’ to the bank at any time, I understand that our check of promise (AKA faith) is cashed at the timing of God’s will. For instance, Abraham waited for 25 years but Manoah and his wife only had to wait for about nine months. Nonetheless, if God has promised it and you believe it, it will surely happen. Since the Almighty God is the account holder, your check will never bounce. Till next time, stay lifted! You can read another encouraging post here.
The Beautiful Mind
Written by Jennifer Azubuike It was a hot July day. I was sweaty in my scrubs and was hunched over under the weight of a heavy backpack on the streets of Kensington. I was in a scrub because I was one of the young health professional students going around to give free basic health screens to anyone who paid attention to us, and my heavy backpack contained our tools. I was walking along the road with my other two team members when a man approached us. He looked unkempt and somewhat sickly, so it was hard to tell his age. A rough guess would be mid-30s to 40s. “Please let me use your phone.” He waved at us. In a notorious place like Kensington, it would be naive and stupid to respond to such a request sympathetically, so we ignored him. “Please let me use your phone to make a call.” He pleaded again following us. “Today is my birthday. I just want to call my mother.” On hearing his last sentence, the woman who served as our interpreter stopped so we all did. He spoke in English so she didn’t need to interpret. However, she asked him a couple of questions for clarification. When she seemed satisfied, she took her phone from her handbag to our dismay, and handed it to the man. We tried to caution her but she asked us to hold our peace. So, we stood back and watched. Standing right in front of us, this man I will call Sam called his mother, spoke with her for a few minutes, hung up, and handed the phone back to our interpreter. We had feared that he might run away with the phone but we judged him too quickly! As he returned the phone, he gave a brief synopsis of his life. He was a drug addict. His addiction started with painkillers that were prescribed to him during tooth extraction back when he was a child. The addiction caused him to leave home and lose relationships – and I bet it also caused him not to have any structure in his life. Thankfully, his mother would still take his call, so he made it a point to call her on his birthdays. The encounter with Sam has stayed with me over the years and returned to me when in the recent time a young man, when asked about handling peer pressure to use recreational drugs, said he would not do it because he valued his mind. “I regard my mind as the most powerful asset that I own. I will not take anything that will mess it up.” [paraphrased] I have turned those words over in my head a few times. If you think about it, the mind is the seat of thoughts and emotions. Even though the mind receives external inputs and influences, it navigates them to form the unique thoughts that we act on every day. Thus, our lives take on a structure from the building blocks sourced from our minds. How about creativity? Any existing structure or art that man created was sourced from the mind. For instance, cars! The necessity to travel around faster must have pushed the first inventor into employing the power of his mind, nonetheless, it came from the MIND! The scriptures say that God created man in his image. I believe the Creator wanted man to have the ability to create like Himself, so he gave him a mind. If the beautiful and useful structures our eyes behold, including the works of art we appreciate every day were made from the power of the mind then the mind is beautiful. Why mess it up? Why devalue your mind and numb it with drugs, alcohol, or any addictive substance? If your only chance of stamping your name in the face of time is in the ink of your mind, why give it up? However, in Sam’s case, the open door to addiction was not his choice. While that is unfortunately true for many, if it can be helped please seek help. “It is better not to start than to try to break [an] addiction.” – Dr D.K Olukoya Till next time, stay lifted! Read another uplifting blog here
IF I DO
Written by Jennifer Azubuike I recall the moment Mark proposed. We were shopping for shoes and had turned into a quiet corner so I could sit and try on some sandals when he went down on one knee. I thought he did so to help me buckle the sandal, but he reached into his pocket and pulled out a little black box. Inside contained a gold ring with an oval cut diamond. He took it out, held it in one hand then looked up at me. All this time I watched him and managed to stay calm but my heart was pounding resoundingly in my chest as I realized what was happening. “What should I say?” I thought. “Should I just say yes? Oh, God! I don’t know if I have thought this through. Maybe I should feign nausea and run to the bathroom to gain time to think.” My thoughts raced and I broke out into a sweat. Thankfully, he had the decency of not proposing under the watchful eyes of strangers. Yet, I felt a large amount of pressure. My throat closed up and my tongue felt paralyzed in my mouth. “If you’re so fearful, why are you in a relationship with him? Were you never expecting him to propose or was your relationship not that serious?” You may ask. Our relationship was serious and yes, I had a hunch he’d propose. The truth is that beyond the fact that a yes to Mark was a big decision with a lifetime consequence, there was more…let me tell it in a story. * * * Three years earlier, a bubbly Naya and my bright-eyed self reported to our pastor’s office for an appointment on a beautiful morning. While we waited for our turn, we bantered and giggled softly. It was an exciting time for my sister because she was looking forward to being hitched to the love of her life. While sitting there, however, Naya showed an undercurrent of nervousness. She would occasionally pick her nails or wriggle her fingers. “Ms. Obi, the pastor is ready to see you.” The secretary called. “OK. Thank you.” Naya replied to the secretary then turned to me. “Kay, Please wait here for me.” “Where would I go if you have the car keys? Good luck.” I smiled at her. I watched my sister walk into the office and fiddled with my nails. Somehow, I contracted her nervousness unwillingly. As I reflect now, I wonder if I was nervous for Naya or myself. “The wedding could be canceled even on its scheduled day if they fail to meet all requirements specified by the church,” I remembered an elder telling my mother several months before. After eavesdropping on that conversation, I subtly picked up a conversation with my sister to gauge her readiness for the strict rules she could face. “Of course, I will follow all the rules within reason.” Naya shrugged “What if they insist you cannot have a bridal train?” I asked again. “I don’t mind that at all.” “What if you cannot kiss your groom during the ceremony.” “That is fine. I want our first kiss to be intimate anyway.” “What if you cannot exchange rings for your vows.” “That is not possible. Ring exchange is a significant part of making vows.” “I know, but what if?” “Like I said, I will follow all rules as long as they are within reason,” I noted that my sister was somewhat oblivious to the strictness surrounding weddings here and I don’t blame her. I and Naya traveled to the U.K at the tender age of 7 and 11 respectively, and spent most of our teenage and young adult years there. Two years ago, Naya, finished her schooling and started working to support me until I finished too. We knew it was time to return to our home country after Sunny formally proposed to her. Since we returned, there have been varying degrees of culture shock. Regardless, we have tried to adjust since it is our original home, culture, people, and community. Today, I am nervous because I know that whatever be the outcome of today’s meeting will set the tone for my wedding in the future since I cannot feign ignorance to any degree. But I convinced myself that I shouldn’t be worried since that future is still far off. I was not in any serious relationship yet. Nonetheless, this church has been my family’s church for several generations and it is where I would be expected to tie the knot whenever that time comes. Approaching footsteps interrupted my reverie. “You’re done already?” “Let’s leave.” “You don’t look happy. What happened?” “Let’s just go,” Naya said in a near-breaking voice. “Please tell me what happened?” “We will talk in the car,” Naya said as she turned to walk away. Seated in the car, my sister wanted to start the engine and drive. “Hold up! You are making me anxious. What the heck happened?” “I got into the office and was expecting to get a date confirmed since we had already submitted several dates for the church to choose from. Instead, the pastor asked me a series of questions, and at the end concluded that I and Sunny are not ready to set a date yet.” “Why would he say that?” I asked, surprised. “Well, according to him we have not fulfilled the major requirements.” Naya tried to mimic the pastor. “We can start working on them. Did
GET UP, SOLDIER!
Written by Jennifer Azubuike What have you tripped over? What has caused you to fall? Sin, burden, oppression, or injustice? Maybe you lay there tired or ashamed. “It is over for you,” the accuser whispers. Beloved, the battlefield of life is rough. For a Christian, it is fierce. If you still don’t know it, Then you have not learned from the veterans gone before. At the peak of any battle, bullets fly carelessly. Physical bullets from relationships and responsibilities presented hardship that emotionally slammed you. Or spiritual bullets of fear and oppression have pierced you. As carefully as you have tried to duck and dive Through the firing line, yet, you have been hit. Now, you are down, hurt, and discouraged. Get up, soldier! For sin, there is still grace. For injustice, your savior is an avenger. Is it a burden? Jesus can carry it. Weak and discouraged? Reach out to other soldiers, unashamed. Whatever it be, do not give up. The battle may rage, but your commander has won the war. The flag though He still wants you to fly And endure hardship as a good soldier of His. But when you rise again be sure to check your armor; Your helmet, breastplate, shield, and sword. Is any missing or shifted? Get up, good soldier! Partly adapted from 2 Timothy 2:3-4: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. Till next time, stay lifted! You can read other posts here
