Victory and Joy: Congratulations to the Nigerian Women’s Soccer Team!

 

Oh, what a moment of pure joy and pride for Nigeria! 🎉

Huge congratulations to our incredible Nigerian Women’s Soccer Team for winning the African Cup Championship! What a stunning display of strength, teamwork, perseverance, and true Nigerian spirit. You didn’t just win a trophy—you won our hearts and reminded us of what it means to stand tall and proud.

Watching our Super Falcons lift that cup high brought a sense of unity, celebration, and laughter to every corner of the country. It gave us something to cheer for. In a time where many Nigerians are waking up daily to real and painful struggles—rising costs, economic hardship, and uncertainty—this victory felt like a much-needed break in the clouds. For a moment, we all smiled. We all celebrated. We danced, waved our flags, and felt something priceless: hope.

I am so incredibly proud of these amazing women. They carried not just the ball across the field but the hopes of an entire nation on their shoulders—and they delivered.

My prayer is that just as they have brought home victory, God in His mercy will bring a wave of transformation across Nigeria. May the Lord Jesus bring a remarkable change in our economy—one that brings relief, restoration, and abundance to every struggling home and every tired heart. May joy no longer be a rare visitor, but a daily companion in the lives of all Nigerians.

So wherever you are reading this from, whether you’re in Nigeria or abroad, celebrate this victory. Hold on to this joy.

And remember this one thing:

Don’t let anyone steal your joy!

With love,

Maryam 💛

The Plantain Miracle 🍌✨

 I have to share this little story with you all because it truly made me laugh—and think deeply too.

So, I had just finished making a delicious pot of Nigerian beans porridge (if you know, you know 👩🏽‍🍳). And what pairs perfectly with beans porridge? Yep—fried plantains! Sweet, crispy, golden plantains on the side make the whole dish come alive.

Now, here’s the thing… I didn’t have any plantains—at least I thought I didn’t. I was mentally preparing myself to head to the store to get some, even though it was such bad timing. I had so many other things to do and honestly, the thought of another errand felt exhausting.

But then I remembered I had some sweet potatoes I bought recently that were just sitting there waiting to be used. “Okay,” I thought, “I’ll just go with the sweet potatoes this time.”

I almost settled.

And that’s when it happened.

I reached into the cupboard where I thought my sweetman might’ve stored the sweet potatoes—and guess what I found?

A whole bag of PLANTAINS staring right back at me! 😱🍌🎉

I couldn’t stop laughing! I was so happy! I almost missed it—the very thing I truly wanted was already in my house, already provided, already mine. I just didn’t know it.

That’s when God whispered to my heart:

“How many times have you settled because you didn’t realize I had already provided what you were truly longing for?”

Whew! That one hit deep.

It made me wonder—how many “plantains” have we all given up on, simply because we didn’t see them yet? How many blessings, answers, breakthroughs, or dreams are already within reach, waiting on the other side of obedience, or in the midst of us simply taking a step?

I believe God is always working behind the scenes for us. But often, He invites us to move—to take a step, even if it’s just toward the “sweet potatoes.” And sometimes, in the act of moving forward, we stumble upon the very thing we were praying for all along.

This little miracle reminded me of this truth:

🧡 Sometimes, the miracle is already in the house.

🧡 Sometimes, it shows up when we stop striving and start trusting.

🧡 Sometimes, what we think is “settling” becomes the doorway to discovering God’s best.

So here’s my prayer for you today:

May you not settle for less than God wants to give you.

May God open your eyes to the blessings already around you.

And may every step you take, even the small ones, lead you right into His provision and perfect plan.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 🙏🏽

And don’t worry—those plantains got fried, golden and glorious, and that beans porridge? Let’s just say it was a testimony on a plate. 😉

With love and joy,

Maryam 💛

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 💛