Nigerian media personality Toke Makinwa has sent a message to ladies who are still unmarried and yet to give birth.
Kemi Filani reported in the last week of August that the former OAP had welcomed her first child, a baby girl, named Yakira Eliana at 40. Toke revealed that this is the happiest she has ever been as her daughter has shown her the love she never knew existed.
On her Instagram page, she shared screenshots of the messages she received from trolls as she noted how she isn’t one to acknowledge negativity. Toke noted how no matter how much a woman rises career-wise, society glorifies the things that haven’t happened for you yet.
The former OAP noted how marriage is now a yardstick to fulfilment, and if one doesn’t have a child, they suffer another level of trolling. Toke expressed gratitude to her Maker for not settling and waiting for God’s timing.
She admonished her gënder not to underestimate the power of negativity as she noted how she kept herself hidden throughout her pregnancy. She admitted that the words hurt, but her spirit wasn’t broken, and all the messages only reminded God about her.
Toke Makinwa told ladies to drown the noise, focus on the vine, let God do the heavy lifting, and celebrate themselves.
“I’m not one to even acknowledge negativity. I’ve built a strong brand off the stones that have constantly been thrown at me over the years, and one thing about God, he loves the people you judge so much. I am only sharing this for anyone out there dealing with contention, delay, shame, and all the cràzy limitations life can sometimes throw your way.
Funny how no matter how much you rise career-wise as a woman, society still glorifies the things that haven’t happened for you yet. Marriage has become some sort of a yardstick to fulfilment, and if you don’t have a child yet, hmmmmmmm! Very loaded sigh.
Thank you, Jesus, this one ended in praise. You were not late; you only wanted my heart posture to be right, and I’m thankful for the community of women you’ve given me in this season.
I know there are ladies who feel they are running out of time; society wants you to believe that you have expired, you might even start to believe it, but you are wrong.
I am thankful I did not settle, I’m thankful I got to be a mum when I am ready, I am thankful I rejected all these labels, and I am grateful it happened not when I wanted it but when God’s timing was right. It is perfect!
Do not underestimate the power of negativity. I ran away the whole pregnancy, I became so fearful, and I shut everyone out. Then this word came: “Perfect love drowns out fear”. God is love, he gives good gifts, and it is perfect. I prayed it till my heart believed it.
The words hurt, but my spirit was not broken. They only reminded God about me, not that he forgot, but they challenged him to shatter the ceiling with this testimony. So here’s my advice to you,
Hold on, drown out the noise, focus on the Vine, let him do the heavy lifting, celebrate yourself at every stage, you are becoming, and everything good will come. There will be days when it’ll get tough, but the victory is worth it. Congratulations in advance to anyone waiting, it doesn’t have to be a child, whatever you’re waiting on, it’s here”.
A few days back, in a note to her newborn, Toke noted how her daughter had changed her status and healed the broken heart she had carried since she was 8. Toke said she was already drowning in her big ol’ eyes and learning so much of her. The proud mother revealed that she had done her daughter’s first manicure and couldn’t help but imagine their future spa dates.
On her podcast, the former OAP broke down in tears as she reflected on her trials, revealing that she prayed to God that she wanted to turn 40 being a mum. She said that God answered her prayers as she got pregnant the next month after her 40th birthday.