At the start of this month, I was moved to keep a dedicated gratitude journal. Sometimes, I become so obsessed with ‘the big miracle’ that I miss the small but good things God liberally sprinkles over my day. This Thanksgiving, here are 7 fruits in my life that I am grateful for:
A new home
After prolonged searching and four months on my friend’s couch, I finally found a great apartment. It would take at least an hour to explain why the apartment hunt was so difficult but I think it was all God-designed to make sure this next point happened.
Spiritual growth
God has great things in store for us but so often, we want Him to bless us where we are. The truth is, we always have to come up higher to receive, especially at each level. Growth comes when everything is hard, not easy. Hebrews 12:11 says that “for the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” I try to remember that if God didn’t care, He wouldn’t bother to push me. I’m grateful for every push, nudge and drag to the next level of spiritual growth.
A better relationship with my mother
The Holy Spirit began speaking to me about improving my relationship with my mother after my father died. Sure, we’d had some watershed moments but daily communication was still hit and miss and intimacy, non-existent. Last month, I committed to calling her daily and honestly, it has been incredibly easy and fulfilling. All I had to do was jump in.
A better attitude and mindset
There is so much to unpack in this category but here are the highlights:
- Change/pain is inevitable. Feeling like I couldn’t handle another “bad thing” or refusing to enjoy my mountaintop experiences in order to prepare for the next valley severely undercut my gratitude, humility and trust in God. I remember telling my friend that I was so worried that God would take something else from me and she replied, “well who would you prefer for it to happen to?” I couldn’t answer that question without looking like a terrible person.
- Emotional stability is a learned behavior. I finally confronted my tendency to believe the negative things my mind tells me. The key is to identify and consistently recall the truths that keep you centered. Why? Because consistency creates routine and routine will keep you going when crying, gangsta rap, sermons and Instagram quotes won’t.
- Just get on with it (and don’t give up!). A week ago, my co-worker gave me a tip for growing my business. I let him know that I’d add it to my to-do list and he chuckled in response. He replied that he didn’t keep a to-do list. If he thought of doing something, he would do it right away because he knew he had the time. That changed my life. Why wait indeed? You have the time. Just get on with it.
- Love anyway. Truly, everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about. I’ve become better at extending grace/kindness, listening more/better, and expanding my heart— especially when I don’t feel like it.
- You can’t progress without faith. Listen, belief is everything. It can’t be taught because it’s a decision. You wake up every day and you say, “I believe in God and I believe in myself and I’m going to keep doing that no matter what.” You have to be bold and determined about those two things.
A new business
Starting EnemannaStudio has been so special. I still haven’t found the words or the emotion to talk about it. While a lifelong creative, I never imagined I’d start a handbag line; especially not while living on a couch. I’ve been thinking about my middle school’s entrepreneurship program that funded student ideas and allowed them to sell their products during lunch time. I partnered with a teacher and a few other students and we started a business hand-drawing and painting on T-shirts. I was great at it, I loved it and I kept doing it until my family moved away. Three years before that, I’d won a Con Edison writing competition and coupled with this T-shirt business, my very Nigerian parents worried that I would choose art or writing over a planned career in medicine. But that’s why I love God. He never wastes an experience and sometimes, He allows things to come full circle.
My circle
God has strengthened current friendships and added new ones. Most are women of faith who aren’t afraid to dream big, obey God and work their butts off. It’s beyond inspiring and I have to keep up!
God
Last but definitely not the least is God Himself. He is always outstanding and I can’t wait to see what He does next!