Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas!!! Below is a poem I wrote a few days ago, based on Isaiah 53, while meditating on one of my recent quiet moments with God. This is truly the reason for His birth that we celebrate so joyously.

Title? I don't know whether, "Blue Christmas" or "Bloody Christmas" or "Red Christmas" will do. Still thinking about that. I share this for your enjoyment although it's lil' bit of a gloomy poem, I know. No worries! He's alive because He rose up!

A tender shoot

The tender shoot came up from dry ground.

How is that possible, farmers?

He was despised, rejected and held in low esteem.
When people saw him, they hid their faces from him.
Not worthy to look at?

He took the pain of others,
He bore the suffering of others,
He was afflicted
That's enough to get a person to the lowest of lows.

Because of my horrible sins, my wickedness
He, who knew no sin, didn't have to, didn't deserve to
took on my well-deserved punishment.
So that I may have peace
with God
with my fellow human beings.

A sheep gone astray.
Walking on the wrong path
How could I go back to the flock, my family?

But not without blood.
In His blood,
today I have peace.
The reason for Christ's birth.

©Lady Akofa

17th December, 2008

"Where is my Christmas present?"

"Where is my Christmas present?"

That's a question I hate sooooooooooooooo much!

Ever since childhood I've heard this question countless times, often from people that are not close friends, distant family members that I hardly know and simply put, strangers. It seems to me that the people that I don't have a relationship with expect me to give them something. It's usually said in a joking manner but it irks me. Sorry, I hardly know you and I wasn't thinking about you, goes my un-uttered thoughts. I don't mean you, my blog readers. : )

A few hours ago I dropped off a Christmas card to an much older woman at her workplace. I handed the card over to the receptionist, whom I have never met before. He took the card and said, "Where is mine?" I'm told I can be too blunt sometimes - and I'm working on being gracious in my speech- but I couldn't help but say, "But I don't know you," and smile.

It's different when out of the goodness of my heart I decide to bless a stranger or somebody I hardly know during Christmas or some other occasion or whenever. Or when God leads me to give to another. However, being cohered to give a present because a person demands it... that's not quite right.

So these days I respond something like this, "Well, you're asking me for your Christmas present, do you have something for me?" Rude? I don't know, but I won't be forced to give uncheerfully. :) The truth is, the very people who ask such questions don't have a present for me. And I'm not asking for anything, really. I'm well taken care of, more than I can ask for, thank you. I ask them this to draw their attention to the "me-demand" attitude that's really not fun.

There is also this tradition where Christmas boxes are placed in shops and salons for customers to put something in. It's never said where the money is going. Is it for charity? Or for some well-meaning cause? I've never asked. Maybe I should ask the next time I see one in a shop which I'm headed for over the weekend.

Note that I'm not advocating the "you give me then I give you" culture of gift giving. Far from it. I don't know why Christmas has become a 'must' give a present or must receive a present thing. The focus should be on the real gift to us from God=Jesus Christ.

I'm just wondering whether this 'joke' is said/played in other African countries or it's just Ghana? Apart from the United States, I've never spent Christmas in any other country and never heard that while I was in the US. Will somebody help me out? Hit the comment button and share your thoughts.

Am I going to give gifts this Christmas season? You bet I am. And to people I hardly know. In fact, it's my intention to do so that this year. Surprise them when they least expect it. :)

Grateful for the Grateful spirit

Hello! I've taken off the 'ask anything' blog post for reasons that I think it's best not to explain, for now. My sincere apologies. Below is a piece I wrote exactly a year ago in 2007 about how I felt in 2006. My outlook for 2009 is much brighter than then. It shows the power of God at work in my life and all over the world. It's always good to look back and reflect on the goodness of the LORD. Bless the LORD, oh my soul... and forget not His benefits. Psalm 103.

Grateful for the Grateful Spirit

Mid-December. In two weeks, we’ll see the end of 2007 and the beginning of 2008, God willing.

I’m grateful to God for many, many, many things. Indeed, were I to count all my blessings it would surprise me to see what the LORD has done. If I were ambitious to write about His goodness, love and faithfulness… I wonder…. How many books would I write? John was right when he concluded in his letter in John 21:25, “Jesus did many things as well. If everyone of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have enough room for the books that would be written.” That was then, in John’s day, what about can be said of Jesus' works today?

I’m grateful, first of all, for the fact that I am grateful, especially at this time of the year. Last year about this time, I was a mixed bag of emotions: self-pity, anxiety, distrust of God and sometimes, hard to admit, envious. I remember crying a lot at night, oftentimes beseeching my One and Only Father to change my circumstances overnight; after all, He has the power to do such things, doesn’t He?

But my Father chose to deal with my circumstances in unexpected ways and certainly didn’t change things overnight. The things for which I wanted or thought I needed that spiraled me into self-pity and anxiety mostly remain the same today, but for the most part I have peace within me. I have peace and hope about my future because my Father has taught me and is still teaching me to trust in Him wholeheartedly (Romans 15:13).

Thus I look at my present with joy and peace knowing that my Papa God has a greater and brighter future for me than I could ever plan for myself. I need not fear or worry (though I still waver sometimes :) ) because my Papa has assured me that He’s always with me (Hebrews 13:5b). So, I’m thankful for the grateful spirit that my Papa has given me in this season in spite of...

"The pain of disappointment is soothed by a heart of gratitude." Unknown

Written on December 15, 2007
Lady Akofa

GREATER things He will do

We are still counting are votes, manually. :) We don't have the resources to vote electronically so we go by the good old-fashioned voting process in Ghana. And people love to stand round tables and count together with the electoral commission officers and polling agents. Interested in following the proceedings? Follow me here and there (I'm not vouching for the accuracy of news published on these sites).

While the country is patiently waiting for the official results (I told you Ghanaians are generally a peaceful people), I'm ruminating on a popular chorus sung in Christendom in the country. I'm a word person so I'm touched by lyrics more than beats. But I love the beats too! What African bred person doesn't love the beats?

Anyhoo, the popular chorus goes this way:

Great things He has done
GREATER things He will do
Unto the LORD be the Glory
Great things He has done

Unto the LORD be the Glory
Great things He has done
Unto the LORD be the Glory
Great things He has done

Composer: I don't know. It's unfortunate that original composer has fizzled out of the limelight while his/her song has become a popular hit. But God knows and bless this person's heart.

It's easy to miss the essence of the song when it's sung, played over and over again. Here is the catch and don't miss it:

The LORD has done great things in the past and He will do even GREATER things in the future.

And that's what I'm looking forward to in 2009.... GREATER things!

Ephesians 3: 20-21

God bless ya,
Lady Akofa.

2nd Dec and 5 days to Go!

It's 2nd December and we have 5 days to go! Where did all the time go! I wish I knew.

It's beats my mind that I'm in the last month of 2008 and that within a twinkle of an eye, oh no, not Christmas, I've got my numbers right here. I mean in 5 days, Ghanaians will be going to the polls!!! I'm not jumping in front of my computer or screaming my head off but I'm excited nonetheless. :)

News of elections in Africa has been fraught with violence, fraud, dissensions and the like. Ghanaians want to be different and we are different. :) Ghanaians have been preaching peace, peace, peace all over the place. Yup, I was surprised to see lil' banners hanging on the boundary fence of my former elementary school yesterday with different messages about a free and fair election. I'm glad the teachers got the children to be part of the electoral process and the peace preaching even if they're not eligible to vote. I was so amused by the sight and thought to myself, "Right on! Preach the peace, kids." If adults don't know how to behave then maybe the kids will sit us down and teach the adults a lesson or two in this critical hour.

Now, I've found my missing voter ID card and I'm still wavering between two presidential candidates. Maybe it's a great opportunity for me to be led by the Spirit in this indecisiveness stance, I guess.

May Ghanaians keep her peace and live in security.
And may God be with Ghana!
Amen!