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Month: October 2025

  • From Overwhelm to overflow: Lessons from a stretching season

    Over the past few days, I have felt tired. Not just physically, but emotionally stretched – like life was pressing in from all sides. I knew it wasn’t just busyness. It was deeper. A spiritual nudge. A season of Jehovah stretching me, especially in my character.

    I’ve always believed that growth rarely happens in comfort. But this season is different. It’s not about doing more, it’s about becoming more. More surrendered. More grace-dependent. More aware of the places I thought I had mastered, only to realise I still need His help.

    This morning, in the quiet place of prayer and worship, I poured out my heart to God. I didn’t have fancy words. Just honesty. Weariness. Worship. And then, a gentle nudge in my spirit: “Respond to those who’ve reached out.”

    I picked up my phone and began leaving voice notes – messages of love, joy, and hope to people I hadn’t replied to. And something beautiful happened. As I encouraged others, joy welled up in me. I laughed between messages. My overwhelm turned into overflow. I was being an extension of God’s love, even while navigating my own stretch.

    Have I ever told you? I’m a passionate encourager 😊. It’s one of my happy places. And today reminded me: encouragement isn’t just a gift we give, it’s a river we step into. As Jehovah encourages me, I get to pour that same hope into others.

    💡 What this season is teaching me 💡

    • Stretching reveals where we’ve relied on self instead of grace. I’m learning to lean, not just on what I know, but on Who I know.

    • Encouragement is a spiritual strategy. It shifts our focus from what’s missing to what’s possible.

    • Joy often shows up when we serve others. Even when we feel empty, giving can unlock divine replenishment.

    • Obedience opens joy. That nudge to respond wasn’t just about courtesy – it was about connection, healing, and overflow.

    So if you are in a stretching season too, I see you. You are most definitely not alone. Let God stretch you, shape you, and surprise you. And while you’re at it, encourage someone. You might just find your own joy waiting in the sound of your laughter.

    With love and grace from a fellow stretcher,
    Michelle Omiyale

  • A Room Worth Crossing Continents For: My Smart Stewards 10th Anniversary Summit Experience

    Last month, I boarded a flight from the UK to Lagos, Nigeria – not for a vacation, but for transformation.

    The Smart Stewards 10th Anniversary Summit wasn’t just another event on my calendar. It was a divine appointment. As I scanned the speaker line-up, something stirred in me. I knew this was a room I needed to be in. My coach, Sola Adesakin CPA, FCA, FCCA, MBA, CFEI, once told me, “The best and greatest investment you can ever make is in yourself.” That wisdom echoed in my spirit as I packed my bags. I was ready.

    The Power of Proximity

    One of the most profound moments for me was sitting in on the prophetic panel. These weren’t just speakers – they were vessels whose lives and ministries had shaped mine over the years:

    Pastor Ayodeji Megbope: Her journey from humble beginnings to global impact continues to inspire me to embrace purpose with boldness.

    Pastor Debola Deji – Kurunmi: Her prophetic insight and leadership have been a guiding light in my own spiritual and professional growth.

    Pastor Mayokun Oreofe: Her depth and authenticity reminded me of the power of walking in divine alignment.

    And of course, Sola Adesakin CPA, FCA, FCCA, MBA, CFEI, my coach and mentor, whose voice has consistently called me higher.

    I didn’t need a selfie or a handshake. Just being in the same room was enough. Enough to tap into the grace they carried. Enough to receive impartation by proximity and to sit and soak in the wisdom being dished out. It was a feast fit for a king (or a queen as the case may be).

    Community, Connection, and Grace

    The summit was also a beautiful reunion. I met Smart Stewards community members I’d connected with virtually during the course of the year – now face to face. There’s something powerful about meeting likeminded individuals who share your values, your hunger, and your pursuit of purpose. The atmosphere was charged with authenticity, wisdom, and divine alignment.

    I also made new connections, bonding over our thirst for growth and the determination not to leave the event the same way we came… something had to shift. We sat paying rapt attention and soaking in all the wisdom being shared and taking our own portions.

    I didn’t come to the summit casually. I came ready. Ready to learn. Ready to grow. Ready to shift. Ready to move forward. Ready for new levels and next levels. And now, with my notebook full and my heart stirred, it’s time to take action. The seeds have been sown – now it’s time to water them with discipline, strategy, and faith.

    To everyone who made the Smart Stewards 10th Anniversary Summit what it was – thank you. You created a space where destiny could be activated. And to anyone wondering if it’s worth investing in yourself, traveling for growth, or stepping into rooms that stretch you: It absolutely is.

    Here’s to stewarding what we’ve received. Here’s to smart moves, bold faith, and unstoppable progress.