Oil and Dew
Thoughts & Musings
It is Nika's birthday today.
It was just like yesterday when I stood speechless cradling her in my arms a few seconds right after birth.
It will remain a sacred mystery on how this young lady leverages the cloth of Christ in all she does.
I praise God for the beautiful gift that you are to us.
Clothed in Wonder Land
We were created by Elohim (אֱלֹהִים).
As such, the majestic grandeur of His craftsmanship layers our existence with delicate care.
We are precious in God's eyes.
The original intent of athleticism is towards a prize.
To know the why of our expended efforts requires constant pauses.
I stop frequently to seek the eyes of my Master who trains me for battle.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
God's musical craftsmanship is indescribably staggering.
In my on-going artistry, no one has quite surpassed the thematic influence of the jazz guitarist Earl Klugh.
It is such a wonder how strummed strings elevate one's affections towards good.
Last night, I was one-on-one with the iconic genius.
Handpicked was I when he played the classic Heart Strings just ten feet away.
Our children are precious grants.
For a season, we are tasked to be faithful stewards.
God has designated my ineptness to become His receptacle of indescribable grace.
With Nika at 5 years old.
Marriage is a mystery.
God claims it to be His work.
When two are joined as one, identity is altered by divine fiat.
I am called to relax and lean in on this deep truth.
I am a witness to this spectacle. I was both Father of the Bride and Officiating Minister.
Today runs with zeal towards yesterday.
No amount of chase keeps up.
Except of course ... the flight of memories.
My little Bianca back in 1995.
Behind every laughter is a tear.
Behind every tear is a fall.
Behind every fall is a promise.
One day all chaos will disappear. Write that down. That's what the Author of Life said.
Nika Diwa-Ihedigbo's practice run.
Earl Klugh set my ears towards the nuance of jazz.
The improvisations of music reflect the amazing dexterity of God in turning twists and turns into a concert tapestry.
Everything works together for good for those who are in Christ.
Yes, even for snapped strings such as I.
Sketch: David Talaguit / Finding Klugh based on my Sunday Sermon: All Things New / Book of Revelation Chapter 21
Home is where the aspects of recreation are felt.
An abode is said to be homely when the aura of play sweetly prevails.
Does God play hoops in heaven?
I try to prepare for our surprising one-on-one.
Every summer, my church holds a Daily Vacation Bible School that features a distinct gospel theme.
Each year, a petite Romanian girl and her sister living at the condominium next block gets drop off by their parents.
I have seen the miracle of a slow but steady witness turn lil' Mimi into a fine young lady.
Her cruciform began with a few steps leading to the house of God.
Upper body strength propels the climb from point to point.
But it is the stability of foot traction that provides the crucial balance for the next step.
I find this basic principle informing my daily ascent.
What I know cerebrally must always be augmented by practicality.
When I say I believe in grace.
Mercy must anchor my steps.
Rise and Shine, O my soul!
The toll of age has its way of eroding strength.
Not for the bold who take God at His Word.
They exchange every morsel of weakness for a good push.
Training my faithful right leg minus the fibula.
The gift of pleasure is most sacred.
This gives me a clue about the magnanimity of God's heart.
To experience delight is to know that holiness does matter.
The crucial part of parenting involves the aspect of careful study.
Children are a gift from God that assumes deliberate time involvement.
The wisdom of Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go ..." speaks of a specific direction ( דֶּרֶךְ ) that has been divinely crafted into every child.
I remember observing my firstborn constantly veering towards clothing and fashion as early as two. It was quite challenging to navigate her world but I found respite in seeking wisdom from the LORD who claims to know her much more than I do.
As I sought to study my daughter's guided path, I found HIS lamp so sufficient and safe.
Nika's early steps into her Father's ramp
When a branding iron marks a stallion, ownership is made public.
Human tattoos are rather tricky.
Current trends leverage the craft of ink from various orientation.
There are those who go for art.
There are those who flaunt their conquest.
There are those who flag their allegiance.
And there are those who declare their death through life.
Yanika Karmine's ID
Healthy heart comes as a result of deliberate discipline.
It is my daily bread to hush my soul to spew out clog.
This is never easy, it calls for a mountain-climb resolve to go for God.
The gift of children is most ironic.
I am given two precious daughters whom I both held close to my breath upon birth.
I witnessed their first straddle, their indescribable syntax, their insatiable thirst for play.
They'd ride my back as I turn horse.
I was crossfit gym for them to hang.
My old Raleigh was locomotive express around the block.
Laughter and snot were constantly served á la carte.
I made up songs to enliven their treks to boring practice hikes.
I was school bus driver.
I was driving instructor.
Just to name a few ....
then one day the playground is without a noise.
You wish for just one more day of blissful frolic.
Just recently I might have experienced the most emaciating four days of my senior life.
I offered hand to help my youngest daughter move to her new apartment.
I flew in from Dallas to NYC on a Sunday night as work commenced at midnight until the wee hours of Wednesday.
Clean up. Carpentry. Painting. Boxing. U-Haul Trips. Walk-ups. Heavy-lifting. Starving. Dehydrating.
I did not realize the accumulated fatigue but on the third day, I gulped down a giant Gatorade in about seven seconds flat.
It was about 2 am Thursday when Bianca (tired as she was herself) snuggled a word of endearment before I took my power nap prior to my 3:30 am departure.
Bianca: Dad, thank you for being so amazing.
Me: (no words, but a rush of tiredness evaporating from my wearied soul).
It was all God's grace infused in this joyful work.
I'd do it all over again.
James is Emeka's (my son-in-law) younger brother.
He is an NFL Strong Safety who tackles running backs and hits interceptions with fury.
His Super Bowl championship ring is a clue to his braveheart. He sets his course upon the COACH who alone knows the playbook of life.
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