A Faith Story of Waiting, Building, and Becoming at 29

By Jules

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Introduction

I didn't plan to write this.

But one day, after another slow sales week, another wedding I wasn't invited to, and another evening spent praying through tears - I realized I couldn't be the only one.

The only woman nearing 30, still trying to build something meaningful.

Still wondering when love would come.

Still hoping God would remember her name.

This little series started as a whisper in my heart. A place to pour out my truth, quietly.

And somehow, it became something more.

Still Blooming is a story about a girl just like me - and maybe, just like you. A girl who doesn't have all the answers, but is learning that delay is not denial. That slow growth is still growth. That God's timing, while often confusing, is always perfect.

If you're in a season of waiting?

If you're still praying, still showing up, still fighting to believe something beautiful can grow out of this dirt -

This story is for you.

We may not be where we hoped.

But we are not behind.

We're still blooming.

- Jules

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Episode 1: The Seed

"I will not fail you."

- God

The kitchen was silent. Tara stared at the ingredients scattered in front of her, the weight of the week pressing down. Another batch of her Ofada stew, another round of packages to deliver, and another evening spent alone in her kitchen.

At 29, she had hoped life would look different - more settled, more secure. Instead, she was watching her food business struggle, day after day. The pressure was suffocating. Family whispered, "When will you get married?" Friends asked, "What's next for your business?" And Tara could only smile, pretending like everything was fine.

But inside, doubt swirled. She had been waiting, praying, working - but nothing seemed to move.

She closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath, and whispered, "God, where are You?"

Her thoughts scattered - I'm doing my best. But maybe it's not enough?

But just as she was about to give in to the weight, a thought came.

"Keep going."

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Episode 2: Waiting in the Garden

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding."

- Proverbs 3:5

Every day felt the same. Tara woke up to the sound of her alarm, the quiet hum of Abuja in the distance. The rhythm of her day was predictable: cook, package, deliver, post. Yet, no matter how hard she worked, it never seemed to be enough.

She watched others succeed - friends opening new stores, married with families. Meanwhile, Tara's food business, though loved by her loyal customers, remained small. Each day felt like another step in a long, quiet waiting season.

She longed for something more.

But what if I'm just not meant for this? she wondered.

Still, she kept showing up.

And as the days passed, Tara realized something - waiting wasn't passive. It was active. She was being refined, shaped, and prepared for the next season. Her prayers shifted from "Why, God?" to "What, God?"

Maybe this was part of the process.

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Episode 3: Pressure Cooker

"Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains."

- Matthew 17:20

The pressure was intense. Everyone had an opinion on how her business should run, and Tara was doing her best to follow every suggestion. But the feedback, no matter how well-meaning, only made her feel like she was failing.

Family asked, "Why haven't you grown faster?"

Friends said, "Why aren't you married yet?"

Customers, though grateful, never seemed to stick around long enough to make a difference.

Tara closed her eyes and prayed again. God, I'm doing everything I can. Please, just show me You're still with me.

That night, she sat in the quiet of her kitchen, stirring the Ofada stew, and it hit her - she was the one holding herself to impossible standards. Her expectations were rooted in comparison, not in what God had planned for her.

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Episode 4: A Flicker of Hope

"I know the plans I have for you? plans to give you a hope and a future."

- Jeremiah 29:11

It had been a long, grueling month, and Tara was exhausted. But then came a flicker of something unexpected.

The call from the local magazine came out of nowhere. They were doing a feature on women in business, and they wanted to include Tara's story.

The conversation left her heart racing. How? Why me? She almost declined, unsure if her story was worth sharing. But something inside nudged her to say yes.

"Just tell your truth," the magazine editor had said. "People need to hear from women like you."

That night, Tara sat at her kitchen table, writing out her story with shaky hands. Her heart ached, her throat tight with emotion. The last few years had been hard - full of self-doubt and unspoken fears. But writing it down felt freeing. It felt like finally stepping into the light.

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Episode 5: The DM That Changed Everything

"I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

- Matthew 28:20

Tara had just finished preparing a batch of soup bowls when her phone buzzed.

A message from someone she didn't recognize. A potential customer? Another food blogger?

But when she opened it, the words stopped her in her tracks.

It was a simple message:

"Your story inspired me. I've been struggling with my own journey too. Keep going. I believe in what you're doing."

Tara stared at the screen, overwhelmed. It felt like a lifeline - like God had sent her the encouragement she had been praying for.

She sat there for a moment, allowing the words to sink in. She wasn't alone. She was seen.

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Episode 6: The Article

"Do not despise these small beginnings."

- Zechariah 4:10

Tara could hardly believe it. The article was live.

At first, there was nothing - just the quiet hum of her life moving along as it always had. But soon, messages started trickling in. DMs, comments, and shares from people who had read her story and felt compelled to support her.

One message in particular stood out: "I ordered today because your story touched me. I've been following your journey, and I believe in what you're doing."

She wiped away a tear as she read. The recognition wasn't about the business growing overnight. It wasn't about the sales or followers. It was about knowing she had made a real connection with someone. A human connection.

Tara had learned that day: her story had power. She wasn't just selling food - she was offering hope.

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Episode 7: A Little Light

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

- Psalm 119:105

Tara didn't expect much from the food festival. It wasn't a big event, just a gathering of local vendors. But something changed when she set up her booth.

People lined up. They tasted her food. They came back for more.

By the end of the day, she had sold out. It wasn't about the money - it was about the moment. Tara realized that all her hard work, all her struggles, were leading her somewhere. She wasn't "there" yet, but she was closer than she had ever been.

When she packed up her booth that evening, her heart felt full. She had a glimpse of the dream she had prayed for.

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Episode 8: Still Waiting, Still Growing

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him."

- Psalm 37:7

It wasn't where Tara thought she'd be at 29. She was still single. Still growing her food business slowly. But something had changed.

She no longer saw herself as falling behind. Tara had come to understand that waiting wasn't a waste. Every moment spent learning, building, and trusting was a step toward something beautiful.

She stood in front of the mirror one evening, watching the reflection of the woman she had become. Her hair was a little longer. Her heart a little stronger. She was still blooming.

And that was enough.

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Closing Note

Dear Reader,

Thank you for joining me on this journey. You've seen the highs and lows of my life, and I hope, like me, you've learned that our worth is not found in the speed of our progress. Growth comes in seasons, and sometimes, we bloom when we least expect it.

If you're in a season of waiting, I encourage you to trust that God has a plan. Keep showing up. Keep believing. And remember, you're not behind - you're still blooming.

With love,

Jules

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Contact & Social Media

Stay connected! Follow me for more updates on my journey and my food business:

Instagram: @ofada_abuja

TikTok: @ofadaabuja

WhatsApp: 08166907457

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