My Story
As the first child of my parents, I was raised with a lot of discipline by both of them. And although people often spoke about the potential, abilities and gifts they saw in me while growing up, it was all on the outside because I carried a lot of shame and insecurity inside of me, oblivious to them all!
I had a lot of personal struggles growing up. One I could never forget was the shame of bedwetting until I turned 16, among many other things of course. And they all contributed to my low-self esteem, low self-worth and self-confidence. I was shy and withdrawn, and I preferred my own company. And because I could not see anything good in myself, I found it really hard to receive LOVE from anyone.
I even knew what I would have loved to do career-wise but I was too fearful to say it or share it with anyone let alone dare to live it.
Interestingly, the Lord Jesus found me early enough as a young teenager. I knew about Him but I neither really knew Him nor how to receive His Love.
I despised the idea of getting married because I was afraid of the commitments and responsibilities that came with it. But God had His own plans which were very different from mine. He told me His intentions and plans for me included marriage. And to my surprise, He held my hands and started teaching me about His love and how to receive it.
He particularly shows me how deeply He cares for me through my husband’s love for me. A wonderful man He brought into my life, blessed me with and for whom I am grateful! And my DADDY GOD is still holding me, bearing me up and loving up on me through it all.
Another beautiful side to this story is that I have seen God work in me, I have seen Him strip me layer after layer of all the baggages I carried. I have seen Him grow me through pain and several unpleasant experiences in my education, career, relationships and my family life. And I have seen Adenike evolve.
I see His work in me. Moulding me everyday into that woman He originally planned, formed and created me to be.
Oh, how I have waddled through many failures and disappointments. Obsessing with how to measure up to everyone else’s standards & expectations of me except His, the ONE who made me for HIMSELF!
Still I couldn’t meet up… and then I realised that the paths I had chosen were not in His plans for me so it was hard! Really hard!
However, I look back today and I am amazed at how much He has done in me and for me. Oh and yes, I don’t have accolades and awards lining up my hallway neither do I have countless degrees & accomplishments to display in my honour but I do have a story of how I met the real me, the Adenike God had planned & made. The story of how I learn everyday to be at peace with her , to be content being her and to do so joyfully and unapologetically!
It has been an incredible journey and that story is still being written. It is my story and one that I have to share. The story of that timid, fearful and mentally battered young girl who although is still budding, growing, healing and evolving but is certainly isn’t where she used to be because the THE FATHER’S LOVE found her!
I certainly haven’t arrived, Oh, far from it! But it is with so much joy, gratitude and expectation in my heart that I share the truth, insights, lessons, growth processes and stories the Holy Spirit will have me share with His family and with the world. And I am trusting that His words through my heart, mouth and hands will inspire, encourage and bless you as they do me!!
And as sweet as that may sound, this blog and this story is MOST IMPORTANTLY about THE ONE who is still working those changes, JESUS CHRIST. And I know that if He could work in this girl, then there’s hope for you too no matter who you are or where you have been!
Lots of love and blessings,
Adenike Akeju