Gracey's Thoughts........

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding…”   Proverbs 3:5-6   As usual we begin this blog with the phrase Its been a minute 🤣🤣🤣my aim is to write at least once a month but at times life happens. We get overwhelmed or other things that need our undivided attention crop up. Sometimes, most times life doesn't go as we plan.  So much is happening around us. And life is going on so fast that sometimes we don't have time to pause and process the happenings around us or even process our own emotions.  Sadly we just keep moving. Overcoming the obstacles and jumping through the hurdles.  So many of us are carrying heavy burdens in silence. A friend told me she knew things were so bad the day she went to Uhuru Park and just slept. May being the month of Mental Health , let's take time and take good care of ourselves. The past few days I have learnt the importance of having a support system . A person or people you can count on for ...

  May the Lord bless you & Keep you, The Lord make his face shine upon you, And be gracious to you, The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, And give you peace.  Numbers  6:24-26. This is the Scripture that is normally read on 1st January in the Catholic Church .  Welcome To The Month Of January . The first month of the year is always full of Transitions. For some its moving to new places, others reporting to new work stations. For the children it entails starting a new school, making new friends or going to a new class. January can be called a trial month that might need lots of planning and adjustments. In Kenya January is popularly referred to as Njaanuary . Because it tends to be the longest month. And people tend to be broke after going on a spendthrift during the December holidays . There is a joke that cautions people that their December salary should take them until January. It also applies as the month of hunger since most people are broke. Let's talk...

  "But I will restore you to health & heal your wounds; declares the Lord.''  Jeremiah 30:17 Remember the Vows couples make on their wedding day In Sickness & In Health. Recently I went for my Post Surgery Clinic . It was a cold July morning. July is our winter here in Kenya . As I sat at the corner of the waiting room. Everyone was warmly dressed no one wanted to sit by the door. But as I looked at each patient and those who have accompanied them am sure they could each tell a story.  The patient will tell you the story concerning his or her health. How it started, the treatment plans & how she is fairing on. They will remember how the doctor broke the news, how they felt and the decisions they have had to make.  On the other hand the Caregiver will tell you her or his experience in taking care of a sick patient. The high & low moments. The good, the bad and the ugly. And the sacrifices they have had to make. Just to offer support to their loved one...

 I Know It's Been A Minute.😊  ''Greater love has no one than this;that someone lay down their life for their friends.''  John 15:13 We human beings by nature are social beings. In our day to day lives apart from family members we interact with fellow human beings because none of us lives in an Island by themselves.  Every stage and seasons of our lives we have interacted with human beings whom we classified as friends. And some friends became like family because of the strong bond that was created. Remember our childhood memories when we looked forward to going outside and play with our childhood friends. Or when we couldn't wait to share with them school or holiday stories or show off the Sunday/Christmas dresses. We Invited each other to our homes especially during our birthdays. And we thought they would always be there or we wouldn't meet other friends. But we were wrong.  As we navigated through our different stages of schooling. Every School or Classr...

Ps 133:1 - '' How good & Pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity .'' Fact - According to ChatGpt (our go to person 😅)there are 43 tribes in Kenya.  Each tribe has its own language, customs, traditional clothing, and beliefs , contributing to Kenya’s rich cultural diversity.  I remember when I was pursuing my International Baccalaureate Studies(IBS). This is a two year Post High School Course that enables students to go abroad for their University studies. You see while I was in High School I had a dream of going outside the country for my university studies. My choices were the UK or South Africa. And I remember one evening after my classes my dad came to pick me from school. I noticed by Late Brother Nathaniel (may he continue to Rest In Perfect Peace 😭😭) was not in the car. And immediately I entered the car my dad told me that he picked Nathaniel from school earlier on because he was caught in a fight with another boy. My dad told me that th...

As I begin to write this blog the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya is Hon Rigathi Gachagua aka Riggy G the truthful Man. Last year the month May was an interesting month for our beloved Nation. And will definitely be worth being noted down in the history books. Gen Z (these are children born between 1997 to 2012) organized a street protests to reject a Finance Bill & demand better governance & Accountability. Let me tell you Maina(A Kenyan Phrase) Gen Z is a powerhouse. They are Tribeless, Fearless & Leaderless. Being Leaderless could mean no one time will meetings be called & comprise takes place. We have witnessed how in the past leaders have been compromised and end up singing or dancing to the tune of the oppresor. According to Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to the public authorities.  Protests sadly are not a new thing in Kenya...

As I begin to write this blog I am reminded of the song,   This is My Story. This Is My Song.  I remember when my brother passed on. My mum and sister sat down and drafted my late brother's eulogy. I mean we have all gone to funerals and heard people's eulogies being read. But that is simply not their full story. Its just a fraction of the person's life and it has been written by another person it simply not first hand narration. The eulogies only focus on the positive side of the person's life. They don't write about the struggles, challenges, the bad or the ugly.  I remember one time during a seminar the facilitator gave us a task of writing our eulogies. Like what do we want people to hear on that day about us. A story is a full account of someone's life. It captures the places they have been, the people they have met, what they have achieved, their high & low moments. Their experiences in the various seasons they went through in life. How they navigated ...

As I begin to write this blog its the last day of November 2023. That's how long it has taken me to write this blog . This one is very Emotional. According to the Catholic Church traditions 2nd November is a day for commemoration of all the faithful departed. Therefore the whole month  is traditionally dedicated to praying for the departed souls. At the beginning of the month ideally you pick a paper write the names of your loved ones who have gone to be with the Lord, put it in an envelope and drop it in the designated box at the Alter. This time with tears rolling down I wrote my brother's name. 😢😭💔. Yes on 15th October death struck my Father's house. Ooh death where is your sting. Death. The word and its reality, unlike any other, introduces humanity to deep grief, piercing trauma, unimaginable loss & shattered hopes.   I remember reading the book "Grief" by Adichie Chimamanda. She lost her Father during the Covid 19 Pandemic. She says her dad was perfec...

  Nigeria, the Giant of Africa its also known as the most populus country in Africa. Nigeria is one of the few Nations in Africa who still upholds their culture. Mention the word Nigeria and the first thing that comes to one's mind in the Naija Movies - Nollywood. Being a big fan of naija movies I will tell you this Industry has evolved it has grown. From the days where all movies would end with the caption to God be the Glory. But to come to think of it maybe it was a way of acknowldging God. To produce a movie is no joke or walk in the park.  I remember back those days.  It's only in Naija movies where the clock shows 10am but outside is dark and a Man would be asking his wife what time is this that you are coming home and point at the clock. Back those days it was only in Nigerian movies where in between the movie you would see the caption 5 years later 🤣🤣🤣. The movies are a true reflection of the Nigerian Society as they showcase the day to day life of Nigerians. T...

   ''Honor your Father and your Mother'' Any Man can Sire a Child but it takes a real man to take full responsibilty of the child. To a child  a Father is a Protector, Provider, Priest and most importantly be present. Yes presence is of great importance. Being a present dad is a plus.  In an African Culture a Child's Identity comes from the Father. We bear our Father's surname. And most times when we introduce ourselves I am the son or daughter of we are mostly likely to begin with our Father's name.  As a matter of fact it is said a girl's first love is her father. Its a father who is supposed to show his daughter how a man is meant to treat her. I have seen it in the movies and even short videos where a father takes his little girl on a date just to show her she should be treated in the future.  A father sets the standards for her little how she should.  And for his son he sets the standards on how to treat a woman. This the children can observe thro...

      This Year the Chasity Conference was held on 11 th February. A weekend just before Valentine’s Day. The theme of the conference was Responsible Human Relationships. Sometimes I tend to think that a Spirit or an urge to have Sex is usually released on Valentine’s Day. I remember clearly an incident that happened while I was in campus many years ago. It was on Valentine’s day at around 6pm the ladies hostel was a bee hive of activities as we were all getting ready to spend an evening with the ones we choose to love at that time. I recall one of my friends crying & lamenting accusing me of making her periods to start. Yes, we ladies have this line of thought that when we spend much time together our Menstrual Cycle tend to be the same. So here I am being accused that I made someone’s menses begin so they won’t be able to have their Valentine Day sex. At that time, I truly felt guilty cos I didn’t know what I know now. But I am reminded of the Scripture in Eccl...

In Kenya the sad reality is that its only during Elections that we suddenly remember our tribes, these are times we hear the common phrase  'Mtu Wetu' meaning Our Person. Instead of enjoying our rich culture of diversity we have turned it to mean Tribalism with so much negativity. This has resulted to our politics not being issue based but Tribalistic. And Let us not forget the words of our 2nd President Moi (May His Soul Rest In Perfect Peace), 'Siasa Mbaya, Maisha Mbaya meaning Bad Politics = Bad Life.  It reminds me of the Scripture in Jeremiah 29:7 that states Also, seek the peace & Prosperity of the city which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you will prosper.  Since the day I came across this Scripture it has taught me the importance of praying for the country. Welcome to Kenya, a country that will decide its fate for the next five(5) on 9th August.  And this will be my third time to vote as a citizen of this N...