Shall He who brings to birth not cause delivery?

 "A woman's breakthrough in labour often comes when the pain is at the most excruciating. When she can no longer push." (Excerpt from the sermon: When a Matter is Beyond you by Pastor Dapo Adeniyi on YouTube).

While mulling over these animated words of faith, I recall my second son's delivery episode. On my due date, after experiencing  the bloody show early that morning, I started having contractions afterwards but I couldn't stay at the first hospital where I registered due to their sloppy medical procedure and this compelled my mother in law to hurriedly travel from Sagamu to the hospital in Lagos. Early the next day, I was transferred to another hospital. The new doctor confidently broke the water bag and kept me under observation awaiting regular contractions. Unlike my first son's delivery, this time I couldn't try reading because I didn't pack books into the bag. Hmm... learned a hard lesson from the first, I found my books scattered under the bed after delivery😂. 

At about 10am, I watched a televangelist preach on;  

Isaiah 66:9

Shall I bring to the time of birth, and not cause delivery?” says the LORD. “Shall I who cause delivery shut up the womb?” says your God. 

This seed of God's word penetrated my heart, soothed my nerves and birthed strength into me, my hope came alive!

At about 7pm, still no regular contractions, so the doctor told me he would have to induce me with drip. As he did, the pain became unbearable and out of exhaustion I cried seeking release. I heard his voice thundered "If you remove this drip, then I'll have no choice but to leave you...and you'll be responsible for whatever happens to you..." As he was exploding his threats on me, I removed the drip...alas, he madly raced out of the labour room. Suddenly, I felt a strong pain in my lower abdomen... just before he could reach his office...the nurse screamed "Doctor, the baby is out!!!" 

He ran back almost immediately, looked at me and the baby curiously " You are very stubborn but I'm glad you both made it..." 

I was too joyful not to whoop out loud "God did it!". Of course I didn't discountenance his efforts but when he ran out God showed up!

Oh yes...and when my strength was gone, God's word became my strength for the delivery of baby- Victor!!!

Beloved, God is not just interested in making us victors, He desires that we become good examples, inspiring others with our faith.

No two testimonies show exactly the same constellation of behavior however, there's always the stable reality of faith. 

This experience gave me the courage a few years after to stay with a pregnant colleague who was a neighbor of mine at the staff quarters of a bank we both worked for. She started having labour pains after getting back from the office in the evening, her husband wasn't even around. I had to rush her to the hospital...couldn't leave her  though it wasn't convenient for me. I still had to report at the office the next day. I stayed and made some charity calls to other colleagues for baby clothes and to the glory of God, she was delivered of a baby boy just after the sunrise. At some point in the night, the nurses on duty abandoned her and I was practically left to act as a midwife. When she felt like urinating, I discerned it was time for delivery so I rushed out screaming for the nurses but no one answered. I ran like a mad woman searching the wards, offices and lo..I found them fast asleep inside an office.

Oh!I wondered what could have happened to my colleague if I didn't make a sacrifice to stay with her? Can you imagine the number of deaths caused by avoidable factors? God always needs someone to demonstrate love and care, compassionate enough to choose to stay and stand in gap for others. 

A lifestyle that costs nothing is worth nothing!

A seed given to you is literally life entrusted in your care. The Word of God is the invaluable seed we all need to enjoy all God has called us to be and have. What you choose to do with your seed determines the kind of fruit and consequently the reward you receive. It's your work to appropriate God's grace and jealously guard and nurture your seeds into greatness. Each one of us will have to account for every seed of God given to us; Time, relationships, responsibilities, money, talent, ideas, thoughts, opportunities and challenges, visions...

Joyfully, I thank God for the grace that recently birthed Mindscope Youth Connect (MYC), a corporate responsibility project for community development geared towards connecting( cross- cultural), inspiring and mentoring the youths in my neighborhood in Sagamu, Ogun state (Nigeria) into global citizens. 

Thankfully, we've had two editions of MYC-  July and August and it's jolly marvelous seeing the eclectic mix of interests amongst these young minds. Watching them learn to improve their attitude skills, creative skills;  speaking and writing skills, cultivating right attitudes toward purposeful living, and  embracing the concept of nation building is so fulfilling.

It might interest you to know about some of the key lessons I have gleaned in my 8 years of positively impacting people's lives through Mindscope initiatives on Radio, The Nation Newspaper, Social media and community engagements. 

Frankly, It demanded much more than my MSc in Sociology to stay on this track. It has  been "fights of faith" but I'm grateful to God for every victory given to do the good works inspired by Him. Of course, faith and good works are companions having ties of camaraderie with courage, perseverance, resilience, endurance, integrity and humility.

Now I know better that without the love of God dwelling in your heart richly, you can't walk by faith nor understand purposeful living neither can you truly love and serve people. The Motive for giving should be the love for God which translates into love for people, not self aggrandizement. Truth be told, you increase as you wisely give.  

I understand better that God doesn't bless you with more resources just because you asked. He gives more based on how hungry you are! Great faith comes out of great hunger! Feed more and get more! 

Don't be afraid to start small. Forgive yourself when you act out of fear. Fear paralyses. Get to the food of the soul, eat, get up and continue....you can't afford to stay in fear, it's too costly. 

God trained my mind and gave me the wisdom to grow Mindscope radio show on Eko89.7fm, Lagos, Nigeria into an international brand. I was privileged to host global brands; Monique Russell (Atlanta), Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe (Pennsylvania), Dr. Akanimo Odon (UK), Sola Sogbesan (UK), Mayowa Adegoke (UAE). Such a great privilege to connect and intelligently engage with over 500 professionals from different walks of life locally and globally. 

I felt joyful that my radio program was expanding in six years and many doors were opening when God spoke to me and instructed me to lay it down and learn to serve. Well, I thought that I had done that already, but all of a sudden there came an overwhelming sense that I really had no idea how to serve well. After a time of wrestling in my heart, I said, " Yes, Lord."

Gleefully, I say the vision is evolving and I'm not afraid to continue step by step... slow but solid! I can't thank my husband enough for being a 'Rock of Gibraltar '. 

When we trust and obey God, He sends helpers even from unlikely places so also  Satan raises opposition sometimes from people you least expect( Don't allow their corrupt seeds stay in you... destroy such seeds of fear...with the word of faith). Surely, all things will always work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. 

To be honest, lately I have been lukewarm about sharing my fresh inspirations with you but the breakthrough came🎉🎉🎉..yes this write-up was birthed after listening to Bishop TD Jakes' sermon on the Conception of faith. 

While listening the third time I was so fired up from within to write. I'm glad I guarded the seed sown into my heart through prayers and it blossomed 🌸🌸 into this good work. May I ask what has God's word birthed through you lately? Count your blessings😍! A smile, a gift or just a word of encouragement to someone in need could be a precious fruit 🍓 🍓 🍓. 

I hope this writing births enthusiasm into your spirit to do more good works of faith despite what life may bring. 

Luke 8: 15- GW

The seeds that were planted on good ground are people who also hear the word. But they keep it in their good and honest hearts and produce what is good despite what life may bring. 

Yours Sincerely,

Segilola.