The Chapters of Our Lives...



She was first a child, brewing with all the intricacies of innocence. As a paint brush splashes a mixture of colors on a palate, so was she streaked with the colors of ideals, momentums, and dreams. She gradually grew up into a young boisterous teen, with a fiery furnace burning inside her, telling others that she knew exactly what she was doing, even though she knew not what she boasted about. She had the indignant "no-return" policy of a wild teenager. Then one day she finally became a woman...burning with passion for the love of a man. Making a list that was past three pages, of prerequisites and requisites, all she ever wanted in a man and a career. She gave her life to Christ at 21, got persecuted at 22, became angry at God at 23, and turned back to him at 24. At this time, her long list had narrowed down to the genuine number of 5. Just four key identifiable things she wanted in her other half, and one in her future career. She passed through the wilderness, ran through valleys, and finally climbed her first mountain at 29...getting married and finalizing her career options. She pushed a handsome and fair male out of her womb at 31, her first child...the one she called "Zion," for Micah 4:10 said, "Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, Like a woman in birth pangs. For now you shall go forth from the city, You shall dwell in the field, And to Babylon you shall go. There you shall be delivered; There the LORD will redeem you from the hand of your enemies."
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But where was God when she was pushing? Where was He when she lost a lot of blood, or when they had to bring her back to life with an oxygen mask after she stopped breathing? He definitely was not there. But she regained her sanity at 33. At 40, she looked back at her life...at her accomplishments and how she came to be where she was now. It was never easy, but she had built her character. She was the woman she was because of those times in the wilderness. The chapters of her life came and went, and she had some more chapters yet still ahead of her...


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I was singing during Praise & Worship on sunday, this song they call "Alpha & Omega." It hit me that if we can just really stop for one second, and not see things at mere face-value, but instead look at them from God's throne (from above), we would see just how small our problems really are from up there. One problem only occupies one line in one chapter of your book. The way I see it now, God has a lot of bookshelves...and in each book, there is a story of an individual life. Each book is a story of trials, passages, and successes. Each book ends with a success story, but it is still up to the character to make those successful moves, and if they fail to do so, then they will become the opposite of what the book has written about them. Alpha means "The Beginning," and Omega means "The End." God sees the beginning and He sees the end of all things.

God doesn't flinch when things don't go right, because He knows what page that is in your book. Don't just be a spectator, but be a participant in the reader's club. Read the chapters of your life the way God sees it, and you'll be more than just fine at the end of the novel.

Have a blessed week as you become engaged in your life as a book...

Enjoy Jason Castro's Halleluyah. My favorite this week...though I think the winner is already David. God bless you...

47 comments:

Jinta said...

that was a wonderful insight into the remarkable chapters of one life, the trials, the happy times...

uNWrItten* said...

this babe..u are a really good writer!.very inspiring
i definitely agree..sometimes life deals us difficult hands but we have to realise that God is always there no matter how far-fetched that may seem...

keep writing luv...

p.s..come back to the A...:)

Anonymous said...

tanx for this post!

Queen of My Castle said...

I really enjoyed this post. I am a firm believer of trial building character. No one ever got thirst quenching wine without first crushing perfectly fine grapes, right? So are our lives...olives that must undergo transformation in order to produce anointed oil.

Very nicely penned.

Naija Sutra said...

i enjoyed this very much....good stuff

Anonymous said...

yEP another big one from jayyyceeee, lol. U'r simply God sent! Thanks babes.

I came here at the right time......Have a blessed week too!

webround said...

great write-up

Jennifer A. said...

Jinta...yep, I think so too...lol. I was wondering tho how far I could go in the number of years, because I'm still in my early twenties. I think it was a wise decision to stop at 40...lol (before I get spanked).

Unwritten...I know right? "Far-fetched" is the word right there...and guess what? I'm just coming from Believer's blog where she talks about the things we believe in as Christians being far-fetched, yet if they are not far-fetched then what's the use of our Faith? Lol. It's the reason we're "believers!" Come back to the A? Loll..I'm trying to solve the puzzle...(kinda slow sometimes...he he).

Pink-satin...it's more than my pleasure...:)

Queen of My Castle...u are just a unique woman. Oh, how I love the way u pen ur words...so clearly and yet so accurate..."we are...olives that must undergo transformation in order to produce anointed oil. Yes, we are...no one drinks wine without first crushing the grapes...and u know what? The greater the hard work, the greater the rejoicings...

Naijasutra...I'm happy u did. Have a blessed week dear, and may the Word of God continue to bring you good news every day of ur life.

Chicala...something abt ur comment made me smile...I guess it made me thank God for using me...may ur week be extra fabulous...:)

honeywell & webround...my pleasure...God bless u guys. Hope u've been doing great...:)

NikkiSab said...

God neva puts us in situations dat HE tinks we can't handle. HE knows our strengths n weaknesses. I love d way u write. 10x for d comment. wats been happeing gal.?

Rinsola said...

I remember my father telling me "You can't flip that page when it's half written, it makes the next page blank". This post has brought some meaning to those words.

darkelcee said...

this is very insightful.

"God doesn't flinch when things don't go right, because He knows what page that is in your book"

very true dear

Thanks

Zoe Believer said...

Jesus is Alpha
Alpha and Omega
And I praise Him
cos He's Alpha
Alpha and Omega

I love to call Him 'the beginning and the end and everything in between'. Thanks for this post. You are truly a blessed woman of God.

Friend of God said...

beautiful write up

Uzo said...

I really really needed this today..Thank you

Thirty + said...

And when one chapter closes another opens.

Ah oh the priviledge of having the one who knows the end from the begining as a father.

Jennifer A. said...

Nikkisab...I just dey chill for hia o...(so happy for u and Man Utd...he he...I dey wait for the details u promise us *wink*)

Rinsola...lol @ ur dad, u've gotta explain that more to me when we talk again...I like the sound of it...

Darkelcee...yes o, God doesn't flinch. Thank God for God...He knows e-v-e-r-y page of our lives, so He doesn't need to have panic attacks, like we do sometimes...

Believer...yessssss..."The Beginning and End, and everything inbetween..." Lol. I totally love how u penned that! :)

Friend of God...thanks, I love ur nick-name, wow...

Uzo...I'm so glad u saw something that you could reflect on and apply in a practical way today...love ya!!!!

30+...yessss, oh...such priviledge. Sometimes I'm sure God just looks at us, twitches His face a little, and then starts smiling (or laughing)...either one that rocks His boat...lolllllll!!!!!

Hephzibah said...

Absolutely fantastic. Thanks Jaycee, God bless. Ur posts always humbles me, always strikes a cord from deep within. Well done

chichi said...

:im 2 'moved' to sign in-jaycee u 'birth' 'em so beautifully... to say i 'felt' the message here is an understatemnt-a 'pick-me-up'word is wot this is really-God bless darlin.

Jayn Sean said...

Thank you Lord, Thank you Father. At least now there's somebody who sees things the way i also see them, and who believe what i believe about the, ''it is written'' saying.

I always tell people that everything happens in this world because it was meant to happen. Bcoz it was written. I believe that God has a book and in that book, there's a page for every individual on earth. God has written everything down that everyone is gonna go through from the day they are born to the day they die.

When something bad happens to a person, they believe somebody else is behind them, they go to native doctors! Thats bull...why not sit down and believe that something better will come along? why not believe that what evr happens was written?

Good post girl!

Naija Chickito said...

You know one thing I know for sure is I want to be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer. I don't just want to jump for joy and say 'Halleluya, that was so inspiring.' It's not enough. I know God speaks to me every time I come here, kind of like a confirmation of something He's told me before. But I pray for grace to do ALL, not some or most. Because only then can I truly enter into HIS rest.May His Word not stand against me on the day of reckoning...Just thinking aloud...

Bubblegum Thug said...

Your posts are very inspirational. I like.

Jennifer A. said...

Naijachic...may God's Word never stop striking a chord within u...:) How r u doing? Pls make sure u have a blessed "rest-of-the-week."

Chichi...don't we all need that once in a while? I'm glad something in this caused something in you to RISE UP!!! God is good...and very timely (it's beyond me o).

Jaybabe...interesting thoughts you've had for a long while. Let me verify something though, it is not every single thing that happens exactly the way God wanted it to happen from the beginning (His original plan). Because He has given us "free-will," there are some bad things that occur because of our mistakes as human beings...there are other bad things that occur because we sometimes fail to go in the direction that God wants us to go. But then, there are the bad things God had already allowed to happen from the beginning/foundations of the earth, because sometimes unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it cannot germinate (stealing one of the parables of Jesus). But through it all, He will be our REFUGE, FORTRESS, and STRONG TOWER...a SHELTER FROM THE WIND...where we can always run to for help...we can become overcomers through His power that He has placed inside of us when we first believed in Him. I'm not sure if I'm making sense to you right now...pls reply if u see this note...:)

Naijachickito...I know exactly what you mean, honestly speaking. It is one thing to be a hearer and reader of the WORD (or even someone who shares the word with others), but it is an entirely different thing to "practice" it. BUT, it is "practicing it" that will get us to our final destination, eventually. I pray for God's GRACE to do and not just to hear, for us all, in Jesus Name. Amen. (Extremely important observation...very).

Pink Gloves...:)

Tolulope Popoola said...

Thanks for this babe, it reminds me to (1) Look beyond the current problem and (2) See the big picture as God sees it from above.

God bless you. x

rethots said...

'cept we 'really' looked into the chapters of our lives,
...we won't appreciate Him enough.
...we won't even realise those 'little things' that actually do matter most.

What can we do but, be grateful.

Nice one.

Allied said...

My book has to have depth and that can only be possible if it has a strong Character. I can only make a strong in character if i go through afflictions/ sufferings rejoicing and "being fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he had promised" (Romans 4)

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

I was just speaking yesterday on the message God raised in ecc 3 vs. 15, and every day I am continually reminded that whatever I am going through too will soon pass. Because every wilderness I've been through I've come out stronger, even though the journey at the time wasn't a pleasant one. And its times likes these (the end of that journey through the wilderness) that your spirit is consoled that whatever else you might go through, to bear in mind, it too will pass, just as the Lord brought you through the last time, He too will do this this time.

Words are not enough to really fathom what God might be thinking to allow us go through what we do, but at the end of it all comes this knowledge, that the journey was much needed to build for me an everlasting character.

Wow, what a post. But you know what Jaycee, God trully is good. For I have tasted and trully know that the Lord is GOOD. Trully He never speaks a word that He never brings to pass. No matter how long it takes, regardless of how long it lingers, trully it is worth waiting for.

be blessed dearsest.

Anonymous said...

Awesome post....this is what hit me the most:

"Each book ends with a success story, but it is still up to the character to make those successful moves, and if they fail to do so, then they will become the opposite of what the book has written about them"

Question is ... are we making the right moves?

Jennifer A. said...

Favoured Girl...Mwah!!! Hmmm...I actually miss ur face...LOLLLL.

ReThots...wow, "'Cept we 'really' looked into the chapters of our lives...we won't appreciate Him enough.." Woahhhh, I can't even begin to underestimate how true that line is...

Allied...it really takes a strong woman, such as urself, to put the "strong" before "character"...I love that! Yikes...the way u strike these chords within me!!! It's the way u play with words...God bless u!

Life of a stranger...u know the words that blew me? That God NEVER speaks a word that He will never bring to pass, no matter how long it takes...that's just WORD right there!!! Thanks, I pray that as many as read what u just wrote there will RUN with it.

Jem...excellent question. I learnt sometime last yr that this is when the Holy Spirit becomes extremely indispensable...and incapable of being underestimated. For He embodies the role of a "teacher" Who can show us the way, yet let us to walk with our own two feet...

♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...

I'm as usual at a loss for what to say....May the Alpha and Omega enrich you with more inspiration....I keep sayin this....you should compile this into a nice large volume!

princesa said...

I do not know what page i am in teh book of my life but i know that the power to bring it to a happy ending lies with me.

Great post girl!

Zayzee said...

all the phases of life we really have to pass through, and through it all, He is always there, just that most times, we are too busy being sad, and complaining, and trying to do everything our way to notice his presence.
you are right, all the problems, they are so litle when u walk with the Lord

Anonymous said...

This is so touching.Seriously, your posts should be made into a book one day.Like,they're always so uplifting, encouraging, and i always leave with new insight on the matters of life. You're my blogville Pastor o, lol im serious.

Thanks, you're a blessing!

Anu boy said...

okay i see i am more than late, but i am glad i caught that post....

well i know sha, that God was there, he is always there... anyone remember the story of the footprints on the beach...

Omo... nice one ohhhh

Truth said...

He is indeed the Alfa and Omega.All we go through and all we will ever through will surely work out for our good.As believers, we are never alone.I asked one of my daughters a question, i know she has her answer and i too know the answer. The qustion was when will stop experiencing pain as a believer? Like i said i know that those who will live rightoeusly must definetly face persecution.so i take solace in the fact that as our Alpha and Omega,He will see us through it all if we hold tightly to Him. Thanks for this post.

Kafo said...

pictures are soo beautiful

where do you get them from

Waffarian said...

I find that each experience in life shows me who I am as a human being. Sometimes, I don't like what it shows me, and then I try my best to be a better human being. Other times, I love what it shows me, and then I am proud of myself. Sometimes, things are hard to understand. Yet, I have realized that the minute I stop doubting, and let go of all the "whys" and "hows", things soon fall into place. I try to learn as much as I can from life without dwelling too much in the past.

"Each book is a story of trials, passages, and successes. Each book ends with a success story, but it is still up to the character to make those successful moves"

Couln't have said it better. Here's a proverb I thought of, when I read that.

"Fate always gives you two choices, the one you should take, and the one you do".

Flourishing Florida said...

my dear, anyone who says their live was all smooth & easy is definitely missing out. life may be a challenge, but it is beautiful. God gives us a daily dose of hope & grace, so dat even n d toughest of times we can always get up & along. I've been one very bad girl, denying God publicly & yet wen i was tired of all that gara-gara, i returned to him & he made my life beautiful

Remi, United Kingdom said...

Jaycee... Very insightful post. God is the author and publisher of our lives, he knows every word he has written about us, every page and every chapter. He know the end from the begining. God bless you for the teachings and the reflection this post has given me.

Mamarita said...

Just what I was looking for. Again thanks :)

Atutupoyoyo said...

Beautifully written as always

Afrobabe said...

True, very true but its so hard seeing it that way when the book is your life...

anonymous gal(retired blogger) said...

awesome.

Vera Ezimora said...

S'up my darling...!

Longest time. Another great post as usual. Wetin we go do without God?


....I'm so sleepy as I type this

darkelcee said...

hey sis

this is unlike you.

hope you are good. Update sharppish

princesa said...

Happy easter babe.

Unknown said...

cant wait for the next chapter of my life...
HAPPY EASTER.....

Jennifer A. said...

Nyemoni...how now? May God go above and beyond all that you can ever ask Him, think about, or even imagine in this year for u and ur family. The best is yet to come.

Princesa...I love ur confidence. The power to bring your story to a happy ending definitely lies with how far you want to trust God, so at the end of the day, yes dearie...it is up to u. And from your one statement, I have a very strong feeling that u have a sense of purpose.

Uzezi...lollll...so true. If only we can just stop and notice His presence...

Omosewa...I thank God for that. It's an amazing feeling I get when I know someone has been blessed by a post. I thank God for using me as a vessel to be an encourager...it really beats me sha! Pastor ko, pastoress ni? He he...:)

Anu boy...u weren't even late at all. Yayyyy, I love that footprints on the sand story...it's a favorite.

Truth...mennnn...u asked ur daughter a very very deep question. I know people question God's presence when they feel so much pain. But He never promised us a life free of pain or filled with roses. He promised that He will be there through the valley... And He said that we will be Overcomers and will receive crowns when we get to the finish line...

Kafo...new hobby: scouting photobucket...

Waffarian...that proverb is something...I don't believe in the word "fate" per se...but I believe that we can all have positive outcomes when we trust God, but unexpected things may happen on the side that we must take in good stride still, with the hope that there will still be a positive outcome (which I am guessing that's what the quote prob means at the end of the day).

Florida...I love somn u said, that "life may be a challenge, but it is still beautiful." I smiled when I read that, and shook my head with visciousness!!! Lolll. One very bad girl can still turn out beautifully good. *wink* God has great plans for you girl.

Remi...muah, muah, muah!!! Soon heading to ur place to read ur latest...God bless u too!!! :)

Mamarita...U're welcome. So how's my mamarita doing?

Atutu...thanks, ur blogger-highness.

Afrobabe...I totally agree with u, and I guess that's why we have to reflect deeply abt these things sometimes. It's amazing what we can find out abt our lives.

Anonymous gal...hiiiii...

Vera...I've missed u...where have u been? I've been clicking on ur blog and no new updates. U wanna make me cry?...lol.

Darkelcee..I guess that's what one gets for doing a research paper longer than 20 pages!!! He he...thank God I'm done with the paper.

Princesa...Happy easter. It's amazing we celebrate death, because it led to the life of many. It's exciting.

Mystories...lol...me too. I thought I was the only one...sometimes I just day-dream since I can't get my answer right now...he he he....