April Blessings

The first time Samuel Oyewole’s voice filled the room, I felt it—something deep, something real. His rendition of Count Your Blessings wasn’t just a song; it was a prayer, a whisper from heaven. The way his voice wrapped around the lyrics made the air hum with warmth, like God Himself had settled in beside me.

Lately, I had been listening to that song over and over again. Out of all Samuel's songs, "Count Your Blessings" spoke to me the most. This year had been hard (I know it's still April). There were many days when I felt so low that I could not even imagine a tomorrow. Some nights, I stayed awake wondering if things would ever get better. Life felt heavy, and hope seemed very far away.

But through it all, God stayed with me. Even when I didn’t feel Him close, He was there, working quietly and making sure I had everything I needed. He was blessing me in ways I could not always see at first.

One of those blessings was a trip to Accra, Ghana—a trip I had not planned at all. I hadn’t thought about traveling this year. Honestly, it seemed impossible with everything going on. But somehow, God made a way. Before I knew it, I was packing my bags and getting on a plane, full of excitement and wonder.

When I arrived, Ghana welcomed me with open arms. The weather was warm, but even warmer were the people. They were kind, smiling, and happy to help. Everywhere I went, people made me feel at home.

It was a two-day work trip, but on the third day, which was the last, we had an opportunity to wander around. Our first stop was Black Star Square. It was huge and beautiful, with a big black star standing proudly in the middle. It’s a very important place in Ghana’s history, a symbol of their freedom. Standing there, I thought about all the people who had fought hard for that freedom. It made me feel thankful and inspired.

Next, we visited the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Park. It’s a peaceful place where Kwame Nkrumah, Ghana’s first president, is honored. Walking through the gardens and seeing his statue reminded me that one person’s dream can change a whole nation. His story gave me hope that my life could also make a difference, no matter how small it might seem.

The afternoon, we went to Labadi Beach. It was beautiful! The ocean stretched out forever, and the sound of the waves was like music. Horses raced along the sand, and people sold colorful crafts along the shore. I took off my shoes, dug my feet into the warm sand, and felt so free. It was one of the happiest moments I had felt in a long time.

Later, we explored the art market. It was full of colors, sounds, and wonderful smells. Artists sold beautiful fabrics, jewelry, paintings, and wood carvings. Every item told a story. I loved seeing the pride the artists had in their work.

We also visited Makola Market. It was busy and full of life! There were so many people selling fruits, clothes, shoes, and food. The smells of spices and fresh food filled the air. It was noisy, hot and exciting—a real taste of everyday life in Ghana.

One special thing we found at the market was Ghanaian chocolate. A kind woman at a chocolate stall let us taste two kinds: sweet and bitter. The bitter chocolate was strong and rich, but I loved the sweet chocolate the most. It melted in my mouth and tasted like pure joy! I bought some to take back home for my family and friends.

On our last evening, I navigated the airport as our flight was delayed, ate some brownies and pizza while waiting. It was so beautiful that I just sat quietly, thinking about everything that had happened.

At the beginning of the year, I had felt so confused. But now, my heart felt full. God had been good to me, even when I couldn’t see it. He had brought me through hard times and surprised me with blessings I didn’t even ask for.

Samuel Oyewole’s song played again in my heart:

"Count your blessings, name them one by one..."

And so, I started to count them. I thanked God for the nights when I had nothing but was still cared for. For the days when I had no strength but still found a way to keep going. For the trip to Ghana. For new friends. For the joy I felt again. For every small and big blessing He had given me.

As stars started to appear in the night sky, I prayed a simple prayer: "Thank you, God." I didn’t know what would happen next, but I trusted that God had good plans for me. I wasn’t afraid anymore because I knew I would never be alone.

Ghana was more than just a trip. It was a gift from God, a reminder that He is always working, even when we can’t see it yet.

I smiled to myself, full of peace and hope.

I couldn’t wait to see what blessings God had in store next.

‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚. 𝓐𝓷𝓷𝓲𝓮  ‧₊˚❀༉‧₊˚.