On waiting and hoping

 What do you do when your dreams come true?

Have you ever wanted something which never seemed to come to you?

Have you ever wanted something for so long that it almost seemed unattainable?

Have you ever wanted something for so long that it seemed easier to just give up hoping?

When you want something or hope for something, keep hoping.

When you are waiting for something, enjoy the journey....knowing that it will arrive.

When you are waiting, prepare....because usually things which delay come in doubles and triples.

And when you are waiting, be kind....to yourself and others who are waiting. :-)

And when your gifts arrive, enjoy them! Everyday!

Even when they bring you troubles or seem to turn your life upside down, enjoy them!

Make all the memories you can and enjoy the topsy turviness, always knowing how hard you prayed and how long you waited!

And make every minute count....it's really the only way to enjoy the things you have waited for.

Angela Azumah Alu 

1st February 2022

Romans 5:5a and hope does not disappoint us

Merci dans toutes les situations!- Thank you in everything!

French

Quelquefois, c'est difficile de dire merci.
Mais, c'est toujours important et nécessaire.
 Surtout durant cette période de COVID-19,
 Merci famille, merci collègues,
au gouvernement et à tous les travailleurs du Service de Santé.
Merci aux travailleurs du domaine de l'assainissement et à tous les prestataires de services essentiels.
Merci à tous!

Nous prions pour le retablissement  de tous ceux qui ont contracté le virus.
Nous prions pour le reconfort de tous ceux qui ont perdu des membres de famille.
Et pour tous ceux qui ont perdu leur emploi et d'autres ressources.
Puissiez-vous éprouver de la joie qui corresponde à votre peine.
Que les choses s'améliorent dans l'avenir.
Nous demandons de la joie pour tous ceux qui ont dû s'ajuster et se réajuster.
se réajuster dans plusieurs circumstances
Que ta nouvelle situation soit meilleure.
Encore une fois on nous interpelle que nous sommes liés et que nous avons besoin de nous les uns les autres.
Et que ceci aussi devrait passer!
Que Dieu nous aide tous.

English
Sometimes thank you can be hard to say.
But always it is important and necessary.
Especially in this time of COVID-19.
Thank you to family, to colleagues,
to the government and to all health workers
Thank you to the sanitation workers and delivery service providers,
Thank you to the security services and all essential service providers.
Thank you all!

We pray for healing for all those who have the virus.
We pray for comfort for those who lost family members,
And all who have lost jobs and other resources.
May you experience joy to match your sorrow.
And may things be better in future.
We ask for joy for all those who had to adjust and readjust in many ways.
May your new normal be better.
Once again we are reminded that we are all connected and need one another,
And that this too shall pass!
May God help us all!

Angela Azumah Alu
 21/04/2020, Sakumono
 (French translation assistance provided by Mr. Kome)

A mother's love

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Its intensity amazes me by the day.

I guess it starts from being the fruit of lovemaking.

And in our traditional African context, a validation of her womanhood.

The more the better…lol.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

From the discomfort of pregnancy to labour pains

Or for some, the pain of surgery.

And with our bad health systems, the ever present threat of losing your life.

A mother’s love is literally life giving.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Breastfeeding and all the sleepless nights.

Which do not even end when you grow up.

She is always more concerned

and literally sacrifices her whole life so you may live.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Through the early years she pours out more of her love.

She moulds and forms you and prays over you daily.

She’s your first hero and the one you always turn to.

You are sure she knows everything.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Through the turbulent teen years,

When you are sure she’s crazy and

She is frustrated by all you are or are not.

Even then, she loves you with all of her.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

She always believes in you and pushes you.

Through every phase of life, she is for you and with you.

And she does everything within her power

To make sure you keep going.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Throughout your life, she is there for you.

Nothing could take her away,

Even in death she is still with you.

She is always in your heart and mind.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Sacrifice, joy, sorrow, pain and all you can think of.

Her love knows no beginning or end.

No wonder God reminds us that He will never forget us

Using the hyperbole of a mother forgetting her suckling child.

There is nothing like a mother’s love.

Angela Azumah Alu, 31/03/2020

Sakumono (COVID-19 time)

Image from: https://quotesempire.com/family-quotes/mothers-love-purest-love/

 

David and Goliath

David and Goliath (1 Sam 17:32-33,37,40-51)

Dear Lord,

Sometimes when I think of my problems and challenges, I feel like David having to face Goliath.

And sometimes I try to face my issues on my own as David did when wearing Saul’s armour.

Increase my faith in you and help me to cry out as David did…."the battle is the Lord’s….”

Remind me of your faithfulness in times past as David remembered your deliverance from the bear and the lion.

Teach me to fight with what I have as David did with the stone and the sling, knowing that ultimately you are the one in charge.

And like David, let me use the enemy’s own sword to finish off the battle.

Increase my faith and trust in you for you are the God in whom I have placed my trust.

Amen.

Angela Azumah Alu

22/01/2020

Images from:
http://images.medicaldaily.com/sites/medicaldaily.com/files/2013/10/29/painting-david-and-goliath.jpg


http://en.protothema.gr/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/dag-800x418.jpg

Here I stand

Here I stand at the cusp of a new stage,

Full of endless possibilities,

Somewhat unsure of myself,

Doubting my own potential,

Afraid that I'll fail,

But aware that standing still is suicide.

I'm excited about the possibilities.

But I wonder which way to go.

I'm afraid of what may happen.

But I know it is required that I move. 

O God, you know me better than I know myself.

Please show me which way to go.

Angela Azumah Alu, 10/06/2019

Image from: https://adage.com/article/att-adworks/stepping-future-key-trends/310570

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

01 January 2019
22:16

A fresh start!
Not so fresh but hey, an opportunity to start!
A time to be thankful for all of God's mercies
And to praise His kindness!
Coz really, we only deserved death.
A time to make plans: because we're still alive.
And to plan to execute our plans.
A time to dream and to trust; that all will be well!
A time to continue on this journey of life knowing that our ultimate aim is heaven.
And that our ultimate task to take people along with us to heaven.
A time to once more commit it all to Jesus.
A time to live and to dance!
Happy New Year!

Angela Azumah Alu, Sakumono
01/01/2019

Falling Leaves

When it's autumn and the leaves fall...

When I think it's all over and there's nothing left.

Then God does it again.

He reminds me of His goodness!

When the trees change colour and their leaves fall, giving nature a new lease

And making everything look very colourful 

It puts a smile on my face and reminds me of the changing scenes of life.

Different seasons give life its colour

Different seasons make life worth living.

No two seasons are the same; each is different.

And in God's economy, everything is made beautiful in its own time.

Tis your perfect season wherever you are.

The LORD watches over His word to perform it and when the time is right, He will make it happen.

You do not need to fear but only stay still and know that He is God!

Sometimes when it seems like it's at an end, because leaves are falling off, remember it's a season and instead of weeping, rejoice at the new lease the tree is getting.

Just wait and see when the new and beautiful leaves form.

And remember, the time of falling leaves is a time of harvest...so it's a time to reap...whatever the fruits may be at the time, review and make plans anew...so really, it's a time of a second chance...if that may be the case.

Cheers!

02/10/18, Legon

 

 

image from: http://www.speechbuilders.org/autumn-leaves/

 image of a fallen leaf in Volta Hall, University of Ghana, Legon

You only live once

You only live once....how are you preparing for eternity?
You only live once.... why spend your time on what is not eternal?
You only live once ....choose to make every moment count....for Jesus.
You only live once.......surrender all to your creator

Money won't cut it.
School and academic laurels won't cut it.
Getting married and having kids won't cut it.
Becoming as famous as can be won't cut it.
None of that is worth anything without Christ.

In this day of media overload there's a lot of pressure to be and to do.
There's even a lot of the word that's preached that's not so true.
Same as has been happening for centuries unend.
But God's word remains true.

You only live once....it's not enough to go to church or to be active even, as hard and as important as that is.
It's not enough to preach the word or perform miracles if you can without knowing the giver of them
Question is: does God know you?
And if He's forgotten you or you have forgotten Him, are you ready to make up?

You only live once....pursue fruits of righteousness.
Dig deep into the word that you may be cleansed and be a true bride for Christ.
You only live once....work for that which is eternal
Whatever your state is in life.

God's word remains true; He does not change
Only those whose hearts have been changed and are obedient can see Him and be with him forever.
Heaven is a club with a password.
The time for mercy is now. Get your password before you become late.

You only live once.....righteousness is still the best garment you can wear.
It comes with the best of tags but it is freely given.
The saviour's agony paid for it.
Buy yours now....for free.

All you need to do is ask.....coz you only live once.
Ask Him if you've never asked before.
And if you have but like a child your garments are filthy,
Ask again for cleansing. He is ever faithful.

Obey! Trust! My brother, my sister!; there's no substitute.
Not giving, not preaching, not being a leader.
Nothing will suffice except your whole heart and self.
God really wants it all.....you only live once!

You only live once.....let nothing take you from your God.
Your heart is restless because it does not rest in Him.
Come to Jesus today....He is calling to you.
Come now..... because you only live once.

Angela Azumah Alu, Tema 
24/10/16

In memory of Emmanuel Quayson (Vybrant Faya).....may His soul rest in peace