Equipping young women professionals with young families to find fulfillment, contentment and joy as mothers and home makers without losing sight of who they are as women.

Volume 07, Issue 08: Appreciate God’s Provision

Today at Church I was inspired by a lot of the message, but most particularly a word on God’s provision in the wilderness. We have seen people make it through tough times, seasons of joblessness and lack. Maybe you can think of a season in your own life when things were tight. I remember a time like that of my own more than a decade ago. But we didn’t starve to death or something of sorts.

As the children of Israel journeyed through the wilderness from Egypt to the Promised Land, God fed them on manna, the food of angels. They had manna in the morning, manna in the noon time, and manna in the evening – Pastor Charles Obara.

As time passed by, the wilderness and the desert took its toll on them. They did what they did best, murmur and complain. They even got tired of the manna, detested the food of angels that God faithfully fed them on – Pastor Charles Obara. They craved other delicacies. God sent them quail, but after a while they complained about that too.

God sees us through our wilderness seasons. You may be out of a job at the moment, there’s no income yet there’s manna to see you through the wilderness – Pastor Charles Obara.

Don’t complain about your manna. It’s God’s mercies available to you, to keep you going until the promise – Pastor Charles Obara.

Your manna could be a meagre pay from a crappy job, or handouts from family and friends, a tiny house, the same wardrobe for what seems like ages, or a meal of something like ‘ugali’ and ‘sukuma wiki’ day-in, day-out. Granted, manna could get really boring, but imagine if you didn’t have it. You know you wouldn’t make it without it.

Do not despise God’s provision in your wilderness season. As the children of Israel complained, God sent venomous snakes which bit them, and many of them died. Then they realized they had sinned – Pastor Charles Obara.

That complaining generation of the children of Israel died in the wilderness. They did not make it to the Promised Land. They died, though not from hunger, because God’s provision never stopped, until the succeeding generation made it to the Promised Land.

Could you be keeping yourself from what you are believing for by your attitude? Are you murmuring and complaining yourself further away from your Promised Land? Appreciate God’s provision on your way to where you are going.

Lillian Chebosi

Volume 07, Issue 07: Doing Life with God

What if we understood that God wants to be involved in every aspect of life? So many times we go through situations not knowing what to do, which way to go. We turn to people to help us figure out things. It honours God when we show total dependence on him, when we seek his guidance in the affairs of life. God wants to be involved in our day-to-day lives.

I am blown away by the close relationship David had with God. In many instances he would ask God what to do, how to do it, when to do it. That must have honoured God immensely; that David acknowledged that he knew nothing, could do nothing apart from God.

When Saul died, David didn’t just decide to go and grab the position he had been anointed for years ago. He asked God if he should return to his homeland. And when God said yes, David didn’t stop there; he asked God which city he should settle in. He could have just made a pick, move in to one of his favourite cities. But David had made up his mind to have God direct every step of his life. How amazing!

The Philistines attacked David after he was made King of all Israel. Though he had proved mighty in battle, he turned to God to find out if he should go fight the Philistines. Furthermore, he was also interested to know if God would help him defeat them. David smashed them to pieces, and later declared that God exploded on his enemies like a gush of water!

Later on, the Philistines attacked David again. David did not go by the previous knowledge, and victory. He went back to God to ask if he should go fight them again. God gave him a different set of instructions for this battle, and David did exactly what God told him and won the battle.

I suppose many of us would have gone ahead in our own judgement, going by previous experience. How about admitting that our understanding is limited and rely on God in every instance? Imagine what would have happened had David not gone back to God on this repeat occurrence, and possibly gone by the strategy that gave him victory the previous time, after all, it was God’s strategy.

I picture David as a man going through life conversing with God like you would a close friend walking besides you. Some of his Psalms are expressions of his heart to God from what is going on in his day. He doesn’t hide his emotions and feelings from God, he tells Him as it is, being real and bare. What a way to live out our relationship with God.

God wants to be involved in every part of our lives. I am learning to invite God into everything I do. He is there with me as I learn to play golf, helping me with it as I ask for his help. He helps me figure out when not to cook, when to cook, what to cook and get out great dishes in my kitchen. He is not bored when I am lost organizing laundry. He is there with me at the gym, helping me get a good workout. I talk to him about my planned trip to the market, invite him to go before and with me, help me get the best groceries at the best price. God is there to help me with both the difficult and easy tasks at work, with decisions. He wants to see me through meetings and reports, and all that comes with my day at work.

God is not interested in you only on Sunday morning when you go to Church, or the time you sit down to read the Bible and pray. He is interested in every aspect of your life and he wants to be involved in everything you do. Recognize that you can be in God’s presence every single moment of your day. You can depend on him for everything.

When we practice the presence of God, invite him into our tasks and activities, we are praying our way through the day. That is what it means when the Bible says to pray without ceasing. It’s not talking about us going into some quiet place to pray all day long, but converse with God through the mundane tasks of the day, inviting and involving him in what we are doing, acknowledging that we cannot succeed without him – therefore asking him to help us and guide us.

Looking at our lives in comparison with David's, we are miles apart in terms of the victory he walked in. The Bible records that God gave David victory wherever he marched. I am persuaded to think that one of the key reasons for our limited success is our limited dependence on God.

We want to be successful in every undertaking of our lives. I don’t know about you, but there’s no area of my life that needs to be run apart from God. I want to be in his presence with every breadth I take. I want to ask for his help, his guidance every step of the way.  I don’t want to do life any other way. May we fathom the courage and patience to practice God dependence. May we come up higher and do life with God.

Lillian Chebosi

Volume 07, Issue 06: Bring Something to the Party

Showing up empty-handed for a visit at a friend’s or relative’s place is ill-mannered in some settings. We are not always polite to do the proper thing when visiting with people – carry something for them since it’s not a big deal in most of our settings.

When we are careful to go the extra mile on a visit with family or friends, we make a point to go bearing gifts as simple as grocery shopping. This impresses our host; it shows that we thought of them, considered what we could do for them, not just the enjoyment we can get at their expense. However, I have noticed that we don’t do so well when we go to someone we need help from. Most of us go empty-handed.

When you approach someone in a position to advance your standing in life, or a friend; it should not be just about what they can do for you. Be mindful of what you can give to them. The Diva Principle – Mitchell Mckinney Hammond. It could be someone you want to walk with you in an area you are struggling in - mentor you to greater heights. It could be someone you want to help you financially – help you get a job, invest in your business idea, give you a loan. Win them over by showing up with something. After all, the Bible says a gift opens doors.

You could say, but I don’t have anything to offer, I am the one in need; or, they don’t need anything – they have it all together. Everyone has something to give, and everyone appreciates a gift. Your gift need not be much, for it is not the magnitude but the thought that counts. Keep in mind that gifts come in all forms; it could be an item or a service; whatever is relevant to your beneficiary.

For instance, you could offer to buy them coffee as you present your need, or baby sit or take their out kids for a weekend so they can have a break; or come early and help with dinner preparations so they don’t have to labour in the kitchen after giving you time in their already full schedule; or offer to cover their children’s books for the new school year. You determine whatever you suppose would be appreciated by your beneficiary.

Offering a gift when you are seeking one is not bribery. It is not giving a bribe in exchange for what you need. The purpose of your gift is not to compromise the standards of your recipient, but to express a genuine appreciation for the value they will add to your life. More importantly, it shows that you are not just looking for a handout, but you are rather willing to exchange resources. The Diva Principle – Mitchell Mckinney Hammond

When her Majesty the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon to learn from his vast wisdom, she went with full hands. She went bearing gifts of gold, spices and precious stones, and gave them extravagantly. The Bible records that never again were so many spices brought in as those the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon. And in return, she got so much more than she expected. The King gave her all she desired and asked for, in addition to what he had given her out of his royal bounty. The Diva Principle – Mitchell Mckinney Hammond

Let’s purpose to not approach anyone empty-handed. Go with full hands. Have something to bring to the party. Provide a gift even when you are seeking one. Let’s strive to be a gift to others, always seeking to enrich their lives as they enrich ours. The Diva Principle – Mitchell Mckinney Hammond

Lillian Chebosi

Volume 07, Issue 05: Celebrate Others

God has given each one of us different strengths and abilities so that we can make distinctive contributions to the world. As you play your part, be sure to value other people’s contributions.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our world, we forget to pay attention to the people around us. Stop and notice other people’s contributions with delight, and while you are at it, be sure to not keep it from them. We must nurture the attitude of being genuinely happy for other people’s accomplishments.

Graciously give credit where it is due and celebrate the victories of others without drawing undue attention to yourself. Within the teams that you work in, learn to always congratulate others for a job well done. If your team members have done well, let them know that you have noticed their efforts and that you appreciate their dedication. Marshal them unto greatness. Your firmness combined with praise could get you the best team in your office, a winning team. Don’t be stingy with your praise.

Celebrating other people’s successes is a trait that we should all embrace. It says we are mature and confident in ourselves enough to openly acknowledge the accomplishments of others with genuine elation. Don’t be intimated by the successes of others. People who can’t celebrate others are insecure about themselves. Get over yourself and revel in other people’s successes.

When Job’s relatives and friends in the Bible learnt that God had blessed him, restored and doubled his fortunes after his great troubles, they went to celebrate with him, bearing generous house-warming gifts.

When you learn that your friends or relatives are doing well, maybe they got a promotion at work, their business is doing well, they have graduated from school, or they have succeeded in something they were pursuing, maybe God has blessed them with a house or a car or a new baby, pay attention to their achievement and congratulate them. Show them that you are happy for them. Let’s gladly celebrate other people’s good fortune without a twinge.

Learn to empower those in your life by celebrating the contributions they make and magnifying even their small advancements to spur them on to greater heights. It could be your child learning to do something new, applaud his efforts even before he perfects the art. Your applause will motivate him to want to do better. Be driven to draw out the best in others.

I have noticed in some homes, one child may be outstanding in their behavior, school performance and talents, while others not as obvious. Parents in such settings tend to pay attention to the ones trying to make it, always encouraging them and celebrating their small advancements; while unintentionally overlooking the outstanding child. This hurts the child. Even if she always gets A’s and it’s no big deal, celebrate her each time she reports that she got an A in her exam, or won another gold medal in her sporting activity.

Don’t be stingy with your compliments. If your spouse looks great, don’t just think it, tell them. Complement your children if you think they are well dressed today. Complement them for all the things they do well. Be generous with your praise, it reinforces positive behavior and boosts confidence.

There is a lady in my office I could complement every other day because she dresses really good every day. But I hold back some days for fear she may think I am weird. Yet giving a complement is such a simple act of generosity. Just thinking someone is looking great doesn’t bless them. Get over yourself and tell them.

Give praise where it is due. Everyone responds to praise, people and God alike. Don’t be stingy with your praise. It costs you nothing and it enriches the lives of those around you. Be open with your admiration without arousing jealousy and covetousness in yourself. Perhaps what they got is what you were expecting to get yourself. Being jealous won’t do you any good. Just be happy for their good fortune and trust God to send some your way.

Be generous with your compliments, with your praise. Challenge yourself to find something good to say about and to at least one person every day. Call up a relative and tell them something good you have remembered about them. You never know, your call could just be the encouragement they needed to hear to get going.

Lillian Chebosi

Volume 07, Issue 04: The Beauty of Generosity

I happen to live with a really extravagant individual. He is extravagant with himself, with me and with the people in his life in general. He gives more than is needed, mind blowing proportions sometimes. Earlier in life, I regarded this attribute as wasteful and irresponsible. But in recent times, I have come to appreciate that generosity is such a beautiful attribute to possess.

This is how God is with us, utterly generous. The Bible says that God will do immeasurably, abundantly above, what we could ask, think or imagine. If this is not the epitaph of generosity, then I don’t know what is. Since we are to become like God, then generosity is one of the things we ought to work on.

Granted, generosity isn’t natural for some of us. I am amazed at some of the things I goof at as far as generosity is concerned. This is something we have to be intentional about. We have to set our mind on being generous, and keep it set.

God doesn’t give us just a little bit of mercy. His mercies are new every day! When you go to him with yet another mess, he doesn’t say, ‘sorry, you have used up all the mercy I set aside for you’.

Our God is Jehovah Jireh, the God of more than enough, the God who provides, the generous God. God is not stingy with his forgiveness, his help, his provision. He doesn’t set aside a little tiny bit, barely enough for us to get by. He has given us more than enough, and he expects us to do more than enough for people.

Live in a way that God can trust you with wealth by being a channel of God’s blessings. Be a generous giver. Have a no-lack attitude, not just when you have plenty, but starting right where you are.

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 112 that blessed is the man who fears God. This man is generous and lends lavishly, he lavishes gifts on the poor, his generosity goes on and on and on. What a way to live! Being generous doesn’t deprive us. The Psalmist’s told of how blessed this man’s home is, his house brims over with wealth, a generosity that never runs dry. This generous man is ever blessed, relaxed among enemies. Sunrise breaks through the darkness for him. He lives an honoured life, a beautiful life. Who wouldn’t want to be generous knowing this?

Make up your mind to be generous. Give generously to people. Be generous with your compliments, with your gifts, with your support, with your giving, with your appreciation, with your gratitude, with your love, with your forgiveness, with your understanding, with your encouragement, with your time.

Be an excellent person who goes the extra mile. Let us not just do what we have to do, but always want to do more than we have to do. Let us guard against selfishness by being aggressively generous. Ask yourself what you can do for someone else every day.

What do you do when someone comes to you with a need? Let’s live with an open hand and an open heart. Let’s stop asking God to do things for people that we can easily do ourselves but don’t want to make the sacrifice to do.

Spur yourself unto generosity, starting with where you are. We don’t need to keep hearing about draught in some parts of the country around this time every other year. No Kenyan has to face starvation when some of us have more than enough, and it doesn’t have to be just the government’s responsibility. How about partnering with the Red Cross and adopt a family or two, or 10 families, or 1,000 families until the draught is over!

Dare to be generous. Trust God for you to be able to provide decent meals and shelter for a million needy people every day. Trust God for you to be able to provide school fees for hundreds of thousands of needy students every year. There are people who do these kinds of things. Let’s want to be one of them.

Generosity is love in action. You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving. Don’t give people just a little bit of you, when it’s convenient. Be generous with your time, with your mercy, with your kindness, with your energy, with your praise, with your talent.

Keep in mind that you cannot be genuinely generous with people if you are stingy with yourself. If you do, you will do it resentfully rather than cheerfully. Even God says to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Start at home. Don’t hold back from yourself what is within your reach. Be lavish with yourself, forgive yourself, give yourself a break, grant yourself permission to enjoy life; and then help others enjoy life too through your generosity.

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; the one who helps others is helped. Choose the larger life. Be generous.

Lillian Chebosi