Guided by light, driven by dreams, and ready to fly.

Author: Ember

  • When Longing Hits Deep, Surrender It to I AM WHO I AM

    There’s something about Friday and Saturday nights.
    The world slows down. My shoulders drop.
    And suddenly, I’m bold. I’m full of ideas. I imagine freely.
    No pressure. No deadline. No one watching.
    Just me, the dark, and the version of myself that dares to dream.

    But then comes morning.
    And worse the Sunday night.
    Everything feels smaller, heavier, more “real.”
    Not in the good way. In the doubt yourself again kind of way.

    At night, I’m booking flights in my head.
    I’m already packing, imagining the airport, replaying my cousin’s words about visiting London.
    Everything feels possible. Like life is wide open again.
    And for a while, that feeling is enough.

    But then morning comes, and with it, questions I didn’t ask at night.
    What if I don’t get the visa?
    What if I freeze at immigration again, like I did in 2017?
    Suddenly, I’m not imagining freedom anymore , I’m rehearsing how to explain myself.

    It’s strange, isn’t it?
    How between midnight and morning, the same dream can shift from flight to fear?

    Dubai always shows up in these midnight thoughts.
    Maybe because it was the last place I truly felt alive.
    There’s something about it I can’t shake
    like every time I remember it, a part of me switches back on.
    Not nostalgia. More like… recognition.
    Like, “That’s the version of me I’m trying to get back to.”

    There were mornings I’d wake up thinking, “Here we go again.”
    Same desk. Same screen. Same routine.
    That tiny grocery store a few blocks away somehow became the highlight of my week.
    And honestly, that scared me.

    I’d look around and wonder Is this it? I know there is more to life
    I’m older now.
    Will I ever get married? Will I ever have children?
    Will I ever live abroad again? Travel the way I used to?

    And worse…
    There were days the bitterness lingered.
    Not loud, just quiet.

    But recently, that’s changed.
    I’ve felt lighter. Maybe because I finally surrendered the questions to God.
    And when you surrender, it doesn’t mean the questions disappear
    it just means they stop owning you.

    After I surrendered to God, something lifted.
    I remember thinking, “If only I had done this sooner.”

    But of course, that’s when the doubt showed up
    the voice that asks, “What if your deepest longings never come true?”

    And yet, in the quiet of night, another voice speaks softer, but stronger:
    Keep surrendering your desires. God is in control.
    The One who created the universe, who hung the stars in place,
    who catches your tears in a bottle , He will not forget you.

    He is the same God who leaves the ninety-nine to look for the one.

    And when I look at the sea, the mountains, the trees that start as seeds and grow into something so abundant, giving fruit, shade, and even the wood we build with
    I remember: there is purpose in the waiting.
    There is timing in the growth.
    There is a plan, even when I can’t see it.

    So I rest.
    Because the voice in the night says,
    “Take rest, My child. I’ve got you.”

  • “It’s Just Work, Nothing Personal… Right?”

    Colossians 3:23–24:
    “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

    Every Sunday night, I get this feeling I can’t quite explain—you know, the universal “ugh, work again tomorrow” vibe. Don’t get me wrong, I like my job. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t still be here six years later (and counting, by the way—loyalty badge unlocked).

    After some reflection, I realized it’s not the actual work that makes me want to dramatically throw my laptop out the window and board the next flight (Okay, slight exaggeration. I work from home, so maybe I’d just slam the fridge door dramatically instead.)

    The truth is, it’s the people—sometimes. You can be deep in your task, finally in the zone, and then boom—“Hi, can I just ask something really quick?” (Spoiler: it’s never quick.) And let’s not even talk about bosses. For the record, if any of my current teammates or manager stumble upon this post—hi! This is totally about my past jobs. Wink.

    I’ve worked most of my life, held different roles, and reported to various bosses. And one thing is universal: if you and your boss are out of sync, it feels like trying to do a trust fall with someone who’s scrolling TikTok. Work becomes survival.

    That’s when I found the verse above. But truthfully? At first, I resisted. “Work with all my heart? Girl, my heart is telling me to grab my slippers and scram.”

    But here’s where it gets real.
    When I feel drained or wronged, I go back to that verse. Because it’s hard to give your best when you feel unappreciated or mistreated. Honestly, sometimes it’s hard to even give the bare minimum. But then I remember: I’m not just doing this for my company or my boss—I’m working for the Lord.

    Let that sink in.
    “I am working for the Lord.”
    When I repeat that, something shifts. He is worthy of my time, my excellence—even when others aren’t. It doesn’t magically erase the stress, but it lightens the weight I carry.

    I’m not saying we shouldn’t aim to impress our managers or be team players. They have authority, and we honor that. But at the end of the day—as we say here in my country, quoting an action star—“It’s just work. Nothing personal.”

    Insert moment of truth here:

    And just to be clear—it’s not like I didn’t want anyone to ask questions. Actually, I feel honored when someone asks me how to do things because it means they trust my knowledge. But it’s the ones who ask without even trying to look for the answer first—or when the answer is literally staring at them from the screen—that can be a little frustrating. Like… open your eyes, dude! The answer is right there. Highlighted. In bold. With sparkles.

    Of course, not all bosses are villains. Maybe some just had a few rough chapters that turned them cold and guarded. You know, like Scar—Mufasa’s brother in The Lion King. Maybe he started out okay, but somewhere along the line, he let bitterness take over. And then you have bosses like Mufasa—wise, composed, and protective. Alright, let’s stop here before I break down the entire Lion King trilogy. Hakuna Matata, moving on!

    A Short Prayer

    Dear God,
    Thank You for the life You’ve given us. You know how many times I’ve cried because of mistreatment at work. You’ve seen my bitterness when words cut deep, and yet You’ve always carried me through.

    I pray not just for myself, but for everyone who feels unseen, hurt, or overwhelmed in their workplace. Help us to find comfort in Your Word, and to remember that we are ultimately working for You. Let that truth fuel us to keep showing up—with heart, with strength, and with grace.

    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    ✨ “When work feels heavy, remember who you’re really working for.” 🙏

    Written by Ember

    Full-time dreamer, part-time overthinker

  • What’s one small improvement you can make in your life?

    One small improvement I can make in my life is to live more in the present moment. I’ve always had a vivid imagination, and I often get lost in thoughts of what the future might look like, sometimes to the point where I forget to appreciate what’s happening right now. It’s normal to dream about the future, but when things don’t go as planned or don’t turn out the way we expect, it’s easy to feel discouraged. So, one change I’m working on is being more present. I’ve been taking time to enjoy the little things, like really smelling the coffee before I take a sip, savoring the body wash scent during a long bath, and appreciating the rain while listening to music. Petting my dog. “One moment at a time, one breath at a time”.

  • What’s a job you would like to do for just one day?

    I’d love to experience being a fighter jet pilot. Just imagine soaring through the clouds, racing as fast as you can, with the world below you, completely detached from reality. Being in the sky, surrounded by nothing but clouds, is the ultimate sense of freedom and inspiration.

  • What does freedom mean to you?

    For me, freedom is being able to travel anywhere in the world without stressing about paper works or how much it’s going to cost. Just the idea of moving freely, without limits, that’s freedom to me.

  • Be Content, Be Free

    It’s raining outside, and I can hear the soft hum of thunder, the steady rhythm of raindrops against the window. It’s my favorite kind of weather. I’m sipping my coffee, scrolling through social media, and I can’t help but notice the photos—people laughing, traveling, seeming to live a full and fulfilled life.

    And then, I remember a woman I met on the bus in Abu Dhabi.  It was another sweltering day, but I didn’t mind. I’d grown used to the heat and had come to love living there. My shift had ended, and I was heading home. I got on the bus and sat down across from a woman. She was Asian, with a child by her side. She looked pretty, in a simple but graceful way. This brief encounter with her stuck with me, leaving me with an important lesson.

    I was absorbed in my phone when she struck up a conversation. She asked what I was looking at, and I showed her a photo of my old friend with her husband. I admitted that I felt a pang of jealousy because I was single, and I wanted that too.

    She smiled gently, almost knowingly, and said, “It’s only a photo. You don’t know what’s happening in their lives. We all have our struggles. People smile in photos all the time, but that doesn’t mean they’re truly happy.”

    Her words hit me deeply. Over the years, I’ve had my share of smiles for the camera, hiding the heaviness in my heart. And every time that happens, I remember her words.

    That short conversation taught me something valuable: don’t compare your life to others. Everyone has their own struggles, their own pain. It’s up to us how we choose to deal with them.

    I’m sure you’ve heard this message before, but I want to share it with anyone who’s ever looked at someone else’s “picture-perfect” life on social media and felt that ache of longing. Remember, life is not perfect. The photos you see online are just the good moments — the highlights. They are not the full picture. While it’s okay to be inspired by others, don’t let bitterness creep in. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else.

    Your time will come. And when it does, don’t hesitate to reach out to God with the longings in your heart. He’s always there, waiting to listen.

    A short prayer:

    Dear God,
    Thank You for the life You’ve given us. We ask for forgiveness for not fully embracing our own journey, for too often comparing ourselves to others. As humans, we have aspirations, dreams, and yes, frustrations too. You, as our Father, are always there to guide us and help us through.
    We ask You to help us live fulfilling lives on our own terms. Teach us to count our blessings and not to covet the lives of others. Remind us that we all have different paths to walk, and success looks different for everyone. Help us be content with where we are, while we continue to follow the dreams You’ve placed in our hearts.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen.