Dear April...

Dear April,

March is gone and I’m so glad that You are here.

You start with a day that many have played pranks on family, friends, loved ones and even strangers. Some of these pranks have been mean and others, harmless. Mostly it's been hilarious!

Do You remember a Ghanaian radio presenter invited his listeners to his long anticipated wedding at a public venue on 1st April? People showed up in their numbers only to be told it was an April fools' prank. Luckily his fiancée and inner circle knew this was a joke so they didn’t bother showing up. I also remember a ‘company’ advertised that an airplane was picking up youth from a certain harbour town to the US for free. There was a lot of commotion in that town when all those eager young people gathered for the supposed trip. April foooool!

I’m excited about You, April because this is when I was born. And I’m excited to know any person also born in this month. I automatically share some special affinity with persons born in April. Did You know that two of my mom’s siblings and a nephew were born in April? Of course, you know.

So April 1st plus my birthday have meant that I’ve gotten April fooled on my birthday a few times. Aaah, but I wasn't born on 1st April! Sigh. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve spotted the pranks just in time before going along with them! April fool to the initiator(s) of the birthday prank! Ha, I got you!

Easter is usually celebrated when You are around, but sometimes in March. It’s exciting to have a long holiday around Easter and to have some sort of family reunion around this time. Easter bunnies and eggs are nice to see, although they are not really related to the true Easter story. It’s also fun to be a part of the Easter picnic and fun games, when I’m able to make it. I don’t know whether I’ll take part this year but if I do, then I’m going all for it, full swing! I think, so far Good Friday has fallen on my birthday once or twice in my lifetime. Make sure that doesn’t happen ever as long as I’m alive, okaaaaay? Thanks. I know you won’t do that.

With your arrival comes rainy season. Although it would have rained sporadically in March, officially we know You to be the Mother of rainy season and in temperate areas, the Mother of Spring. Lovely rain interacting with the earth smells heavenly. I usually associate fresh, tender blooms with You, like the lovely crocus. It’s a time when farmers in Ghana start planting seasonal crops such as corn. It’s beautiful to see buds pop up from the earth.

If I had the chance to rename you, I would call you Blossom. Would you like this? I’m sure You would.

When You leave, the next day is a holiday, May Day; a rest day for all workers. How could I not fall in love with You over the years?

Did I say I’m excited You are here? Yes, I am!
Lady Akofa.

You say...

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’
But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire,
so you can become rich;
and white clothes to wear,
so you can cover your shameful nakedness;
and salve to put on your eyes,
so you can see.

Revelations 3: 17-18

Too much to take in?

The gold has been tested and all impurities have been taken out. Wouldn't you want true wealth?
The clothes are clean, white and without stains. Why would you prefer dirty clothes?
Who doesn't want to see clearly in the midst of all the darkness in this world?

Take up the offer!
Lady Akofa.

Hope whispers...

When the world says, “Give up,”
Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.”
~Author Unknown~

History like a weaved fabric

“... history is like a giant piece of fabric with very intricate and complex patterns. During the minted span of our lifetimes we see only a tiny fraction of the pattern. Furthermore, as been observed by others, we see the pattern from the underside. The underside of a weaving usually makes no sense. Even the upper side makes little sense if we view just a tiny piece. Only God sees the upper side, and only He sees the entire fabric with its complete pattern. Therefore, we must trust Him to work out all the details of history to His glory, knowing that His glory and out good are bound up together."

From Trusting God: Even when life hurts by Jerry Bridges, page 94; NavPress.

I write

I write to capture flying birds
To neatly arrange them in nests
And feed them
All on a baobab tree
Before they fly away
To be a blessing
To my eager and curious readers

By Lady Akofa©

God bless ya,

Lady Akofa.

Your worth

Your worth is not defined by your success or failure
Your worth is not defined by your past mistakes
Your worth is not defined by your present achievements
Your worth is not defined by aspirations for the future
Your worth is not defined by your family
Your worth is not defined by your friends, marital status or social affiliations
Your worth is not defined by the town or village your live in
Your worth is not defined by the school you attend(ed) to or did not attend
Your worth is not defined by your facial beauty, muscles (6 pack figure) or curves (hour glass figure) or lack of these
Your worth is not defined by your ethnicity, race or nationality
Your worth is not defined by the job you have or do not have
Your worth is not defined by the achievements or mistakes of your children
STOP believing those lies!

♥ ♥ ♥

God defines you
He made you
His Word, which is the TRUTH defines you

♥ ♥ ♥

You are chosen by God, Himself (1 Peter 2:4)
You are precious to Him (1 Peter 2:4)
You are a living stone (1 Peter 2:5)
God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9)
A royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9)
God love for you is eternal & even longer than your ‘Best Friend Forever’ (Jeremiah 31:3)
You’ve been marked with a Seal, who guarantees the fulfillment of The Promises
(Ephesians 1:11-14)

.... and on and on and on... the everlasting truth goes (Isaiah 40:8). His Word is forever, so is His Love!

♥ ♥ ♥

This is to encourage readers and myself as well to focus and live on what's true. There is so much more that God has to say about who we are and His love for us. You’ve got to search the Scriptures for more! :- )

God loves you,
Lady Akofa.

I will get there

I know I will get there,
But I don’t know how to get there.

So LORD, I need you to lead me
To guide me through this winding road
To the place called home.
For You are The Sure Way.

In this world theories abound
Lies and deception lead astray
But You are the Unshakable Truth
My Rock who keeps me sane.



I don’t know all the answers
But I know that You are the Answer
The only Answer I need for this life
What You say is final and good
I hold on to You.

I know I will get there.
Home is the place to be.

(No, SHE is not me but a kind student posing as a model. :-))

I will get there,
Lady Akofa.
© January, 2011.

GOD and me = Me and an ant.

I’ve always been fascinated by cartoons and animated films about the animal kingdom. In Monster Inc., it was ‘frightening’ to see monsters scaring kids at night for a living, lol! I think I was fascinated that one of the monster’s name was “Boo.” Boo? Yeah! And there was one called, “Fungus!” “Finding Nemo” was just as exciting for me, the day I watched it. And my favourite for all time has always been “The Lion King” 1. You wanna guess how many times, I have watched it?

Enter:

GOD and me = Me and an ant.

So when last Sunday my pastor tried to use the equation above to illustrate how precious my salvation is in his sermon, my mind went a-roaming in the animated animal kingdom, lol! I was reminded of “Antz” and “Chicken Run” that I had watched during the Christmas break last month. But that was an “Aha! moment” for me during church service.

God, soooooooooo big decided to come in human form in order to relate to small me, in the form of Jesus Christ. He really didn’t have to do that but for some lovey-dovey reason and to honour His word, you and me are so important and valuable to God that He did the most unthinkable thing in order to establish an everlasting relationship with His human creatures. Why is that unthinkable? Well, imagine you had the power to do so, would you want to be born and live as a ant in order to relate to ants? Even if it’s temporary, would you? If you ask me, a Big “No!” and “Yuck!” are my answers. Lol! But that’s how I got the message. God loves me and you soo much to do just that!

“What is man that you are mindful of him
the son of man that you care for him?”
Psalm 8:4 (NIV)

Yep, you are that precious.

BTW, wouldn’t it really be an interesting world if all animals could speak, like in those movies? God even let a donkey speak some eons ago. Think I lie? Check out Numbers 22:21-35. Awesome!

You’re loved and highly esteemed,
Lady Akofa.

Peace when all goes haywire

So prices for fuel and major commodities have gone up all over the world. Everybody is digging deeper into their pockets. Investors are worried. Next door Cote D’Ivoire is in a state of political unrest. The sudden uprising in Tunisia feels like, “Wow! Where did this one come from?” For the largest country in Africa, Sudan, the question is, “To split or not to split?” Australia and Brazil are recovering from loss of lives and property due to floods. The random shootings in schools and public gatherings in the US is just insane. Haiti is still recovering from that big earthquake last year. And the Middle East? Let’s not go there.

What is the world coming to? Are we safe or what?

But Jesus never promised a life free from pain and suffering. And it’s interesting that he reiterates this in one of his last words to the disciples before he went to Calvary.

“I have told you these things, so that IN ME you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV).

So while all these are taking place, you can have peace... I can have peace... But only in JESUS CHRIST. And that’s comforting!

Peace in Christ Jesus,
Lady Akofa.

2 things!

I’m sooo not over the Christmassy-New Year season, although I’ve been back at work since the 4th day in the year. I’m still in the reflecting-resolution mode, learning to be at peace as I trust my God for each day.

2 things I like about Christmas season. : -)

1. Piccadilly Biscuits



See, the Piccadilly biscuits are made in Ghana. It’s an annual tradition for lots of Ghanaians to have this goody at Christmas.


Updated: Below is what the Piccadilly biscuits look like. Hi! :-)







2. Danish butter cookies

I love the set with sugar sprinkles and with chocolate cookies.

I don’t know where the biscuits go when Christmas and New Year season is over but you hardly see them on the Ghanaian market the rest of the year.

Yes, I’m that vain. : - )

And yes, I have a sweet tooth,
Lady Akofa.