I met aunty Kate a few years ago.

Easy-going, kind-hearted, free-spirit, happy lady.

She’s that lady you can call and say to her,

“Aunty Kate, I’m coming over to your house to cry”

and she will let you in, offer a seat, some tissue, sit by your side, listen as you cry without saying a word and you will leave her house feeling light and free. Her presence is comforting like that!

Our first conversation was when she asked me if I will be attending a baby shower that was organized for two ladies in church. I told her I would love to, if I can get a ride. I wasn’t driving at that time. She offered to pick my kids and I up for the event. That was how we became friends. It was in October 2013.

When I became pregnant with Tzuriel, I was unable to cook, clean or do anything around the house for almost 7 months. There were three ladies in church who took turns every other week to make a pan of rice or a bowl of soup for my family. Aunty Kate was one of them. She never missed her turn and she is such an amazing cook!

In 2014, aunty Kate had invited us over to her home for thanksgiving dinner and that became our thanksgiving tradition. Every year, we will show up at her home to celebrate thanksgiving with her family. We didn’t wait for an invitation. We didn’t need one. We just showed up and she was always willing and happy to host us. My kids know, by default, that after the Sunday thanksgiving service, our next agenda is to spend the rest of the day with aunty Kate and her family.

This year, COVID-19 decided to ruin our ‘family tradition’. I told my kids we won’t be spending thanksgiving with aunty Kate’s family and they were not happy.

David said to me, “so you mean we’re going to miss aunty Kate’s jollof rice?”

Joshua said, “what about turkey?”

I told him I’ll make the turkey.

“Noooooo Mommy, you know you don’t know how to make turkey. The last time you did, it was a disaster!”

He was right. My first attempt to make turkey was a disaster but I really wanted them to have turkey this year so I picked up my phone and called aunty Kate.

“My favorite aunty Kate (that’s what I call her), I need a favour. A big one. It’s as big as your oven.”

I explained my ‘ordeal’ to her and she offered to buy and roast a turkey for us, for free! She kept her promise and on thanksgiving, we had a big, well-roasted turkey on our table.

It was so easy for me to call and ask aunty Kate for that favour because of my history with her. She’s always been there, she cooked for my family when I wasn’t able to, we’ve had lunch and dinner in her home so many times, she has given me recipes for some of her delicious meals, she has shown me kindness over the years that I’ve known her, she has made us feel welcome in her home, she loves my kids like they were hers, she has proved that it is safe for me to ask her for favours. I was sure that aunty Kate wouldn’t say no to me and if she did, there will be an unavoidable reason for the response.

This reminds me of my history with God. I have lived only a few years but I have seen enough of God’s goodness to know that I can call on Him any time.

I have history with God as my Provider. I remember when I needed a job, He gave me one. When I was getting tired of that job and needed a change, He made a way. With God, I am convinced that if it is a NEED (not a WANT), He will respond on time.  

I have history with God as my Helper. I remember when I was stranded and needed care for my kids so that I can complete my shift at work daily, He sent help. When I was almost going to quit my job because the help I had wasn’t available anymore, He gave me another position in the same company with a schedule that allows me to drop off and pick up my kids by myself. With God, I know that help will never be far from me.

I have history with God as a Healer. When my husband suddenly had this strange, excruciating pain that made him numb from his waist, I prayed and I cried! I remember driving home one day and as I thought of the possible outcome of that numbness, I screamed out loud in my car, “God, don’t let this happen to us, please!” One month later, the pain and the numbness disappeared. Just like that! No medications, No surgeries. Nothing. With God, I know sickness will last, but for a while.

I have history with God as my Deliverer. I have been pregnant five times. I miscarried once and even though the baby didn’t grow to full term, He spared me. I have gone under the knife four times to have my babies and I am alive (obviously!) to tell the story! With God, I am convinced that death cannot stop me, until He decides to call me home.

I have seen the mercy, love and grace of God working in my life. He has kept me from evil and harm. He has forgiven me over and over again. He has blessed me. He had favoured me. 

I know that I can call on Him.

I know that I can depend on Him.

I know that I can trust Him.

I know that I am kept by His power!

I know….

…because I have history with God!

Dear friend, it’s not too late to start writing your own history with God! You can begin today by having a conversation with Him; one that will lead to a beautiful relationship.

Just like I did with my favorite aunty Kate!