I Got Behind the Wheel Again… and Guess What Happened?

After spending seven wonderful weeks in the United Kingdom, soaking up time with family and making unforgettable memories, I came back home to the U.S. feeling a little nervous about one thing…

Driving! 😅

Yup, you read that right. I hadn’t really driven much even before my trip, and being away for almost two months only added to my hesitation. I started overthinking everything: Would I be rusty? Would I remember how to switch lanes, park properly, or merge into traffic without gripping the wheel like it’s a rollercoaster ride?

I’ve heard people say that driving is like second nature — like riding a bike! According to those who have, You never really forget. But honestly? I wasn’t convinced. I thought my first drive back was going to be rough, jerky, and straight-up scary.

But guess what happened?

It was smooth. Beautiful, even.

As soon as I sat behind the wheel, everything just clicked. My hands, my eyes, my instincts — they all remembered what to do like I had never stopped driving in the first place. I found myself laughing afterward. All that worry, and for what?

And that’s the point I want to make today:

👉🏽 How many times do we doubt ourselves unnecessarily?

👉🏽 How often do we let fear convince us that we aren’t enough, aren’t capable, or that we’ll fail if we try?

But when we finally take that step — even if we’re shaking — we often find out: we still got it! God didn’t bring us this far to leave us hanging. Sometimes all we need is a little courage, a lot of prayer, and the willingness to take action.

So I’m passing the mic to you now:

What’s that one thing you’ve been putting off because of fear?

Starting a business? Writing that book? Going back to school? Speaking up? Applying for that job? Driving again?

Here’s your word: DO IT.

Take the step. Say the prayer. Start small if you have to — just start. You might just discover, like I did, that the fear was never real. It was just a distraction from your strength.

And please, don’t let anyone steal your joy in the process. You are capable. You are more ready than you think. And you are not alone.

Now go take that step — God’s got you! 🚗✨

Does God Really Speak to Us About Others? My Sister’s Journey & Divine Intervention

 

Hey beautiful souls, welcome back to Maryam’s Joyful Life.

I want to share a story that touched me deeply and reminded me just how real, present, and intentional God is in our lives — especially when we’re attentive to His voice.

Have you ever wondered if God truly speaks to us about others, or if we’re just imagining things? I’ve asked myself that question a few times too. But something happened recently that answered it in a way I’ll never forget.

One of my sisters was traveling to Abuja, Nigeria with her three little girls via public transportation. I hadn’t spoken to her that day, but another sister casually mentioned she was en route, and that was the only reason I even knew about her trip.

Later that evening — around 9 PM — my mind suddenly shifted to her. I thought, She should have arrived by now, and felt the nudge to reach out. I sent her a message and tried calling her. She didn’t answer right away, but within a few minutes she replied — and her message sent chills down my spine.

She told me that their vehicle had been overheating for over four hours, and they were now stuck in a small, unfamiliar town — still five hours away from their destination. She was with her three babies, surrounded by strangers, and waiting on a mechanic the driver claimed he knew. The vehicle was parked at a police and military checkpoint, which offered some level of safety — but let’s be honest: with the insecurity in Nigeria today — kidnappings, rape, organ harvesting, killings — even that felt fragile.

My heart sank.

I immediately called one of my older sisters, and together we knew she couldn’t stay there overnight, nor take the random rides being offered by strangers passing by. It was far too risky.

Then… God showed up in a BIG way.

My older sister happened to have a friend from Nigeria visiting her. In what I can only describe as Divine alignment, that friend knew someone in the very town where my sister was stranded. In no time, help was on the way.

A trustworthy driver was sent to pick up my sister and her children. He took them to a hotel where they were fed, sheltered, and cared for — all expenses covered. The next morning, the same driver escorted them to the car park and got them safely on the next leg of their journey. They made it to Abuja safely, and I couldn’t stop praising God.

But here’s the part that brings me to tears…

How did I know to reach out to her at that moment?

She hadn’t called. She hadn’t told me about her trip. Yet, at the exact time she was in trouble, God nudged my heart.

That, my friends, is what we call Divine Intervention.

Yes, I truly believe God speaks to us about others — not just in loud declarations, but in the quiet stirrings of our hearts. Sometimes we ignore it. Sometimes we’re too busy or distracted to notice. But when we do pay attention, lives can be saved — quite literally.

So today, I want to leave you with this:

👉🏾 Don’t ignore the still, small voice within you.

👉🏾 If someone pops into your heart, pray for them. Call them. Check in.

👉🏾 You may be the vessel God is using to bring light into a dark moment.

You’re not too small for God to use.

Thanks for being part of my journey and for reading today’s post. Let this encourage you to listen a little more closely. Be sensitive to the Spirit. And above all — don’t let anyone steal your joy.

With love and gratitude,

Maryam 💛

Stop Letting People’s Opinions Steal Your Joy

 

Moment of Reflection: It’s Not Always About You… and That’s Okay

Something happened recently that made me pause and reflect deeply. It’s one of those little moments that sneak up on you but leave a big imprint on your heart. A friend of mine saw an old picture of me — one from just a few months before I had my last baby — and she didn’t believe it was me.

She stared at the photo and confidently said, “No, that’s not you.”

And I was like, “Wait… what? That is definitely me. I remember the day, the outfit, the feeling. That’s me.”

But she just wouldn’t accept it.

What got to me wasn’t that she didn’t believe me — I know who I am. What struck me was how convinced she was in her own perception that she couldn’t accept the truth I was standing there giving her. The energy she gave off — that firm belief that I was lying — was loud. It was so loud I almost questioned myself… almost.

But no. I know it was me.

And that’s when the revelation hit me: people will believe what they want to believe. Their version of you, their version of reality, their opinion — it’s all colored by their own lens, which is often tainted by insecurity, comparison, pain, pride, or past experiences.

Sometimes, it’s not even about you at all.

The Power of Projection

We all walk around carrying thoughts, fears, doubts, and dreams. And some people? Some walk around feeling unworthy, unseen, or small. And instead of dealing with that heaviness, they project it onto others — intentionally or not.

They may try to shrink your shine so they feel more comfortable in their dim.

But here’s what I realized: you don’t have to carry someone else’s insecurity on your shoulders. You’re not responsible for their emotional state. Their disbelief doesn’t get to rewrite your truth.

Protect Your Peace, Guard Your Joy

In that moment with my friend, I chose peace. I stopped arguing. I let her think what she wanted to think. Because I realized the more I tried to convince her, the more I was giving away my peace and power. And for what? To win an argument over my own identity?

Sis, that’s exhausting. And unnecessary.

You are not obligated to explain or defend your truth to people who’ve already decided not to see it.

Your worth isn’t up for debate. Your beauty, your growth, your progress — all of it is valid, even if others can’t or won’t recognize it.

A Word for You, Sweet Friend

If you’re reading this and you’ve been struggling with what others think about you… let it go. What they think about you is not your business.

You don’t need their validation to know you’re worthy. You don’t need their applause to keep walking in your purpose. You don’t need their agreement to know your truth.

Let them think what they want. Let them doubt. Let them misunderstand.

You keep loving yourself. You keep showing up. You keep standing in your truth.

Because when you try too hard to prove yourself to people who are determined not to believe in you, you end up tired, bitter, and disconnected from the joy that belongs to you.

Here’s Your Reminder:

• You are enough, with or without their approval.
• You are amazing, even when they don’t see it.
• You are allowed to celebrate your growth, even when others try to minimize it.
• And most importantly — you don’t owe anyone a watered-down version of yourself to make them comfortable.

Let people have their bad days. Let them battle their inner demons.

But you — sweet, strong, joyful you — don’t let their cloud cover your sunshine.

Keep your joy. Protect it like the treasure it is. Because that joy? It’s yours. And nobody gets to steal it unless you hand it over.

So don’t.

With love and joy,

Maryam

💛 MaryamsJoyfulLife.com