Chapter One
“If our daughter dies, it will be the end of our journey together.“ Tolani said as she stares at her seven years old daughter who lays sick on the hospital bed.
“Babe, don’t say that. Our daughter will not die, she will live and if the Lord deems it fit…” Jethro tries to encourage his wife.
“Don’t give me that at all. If the Lord deems it fit? Can you hear yourself? My seven years old daughter? Why? Why are you this extreme? Do you think you are the only one who knows the scriptures? This your faith is something else.“ Tolani replied.
"But I was just trying to let you know that as children of God, we know that our life and time is in the hand of God. Jesus can choose to heal her but if the Lord chooses to take her home, who are we to…”
Tolani didn’t allow her husband complete the statement when she stood up and held his clothe. “Jethro, don’t preach to me. Pastor Jethro, keep your preaching to yourself.” She said as she held his shirt collar. She used to believe that God is sovereign, but this is becoming unbearable. Her friends had warned her that her husband's faith was more of just being rigid. She remembered Tinuola's words the last time they met. “Your husband is just being stubborn. This his lifestyle is just mere wickedness. How can your husband have a wealthy father and still choose to suffer?“ Tinuola had said.
“Dear, we are in the public. This is a general ward and everyone is watching please?" Jethro begged his wife.
“If despite your ability to pray for others and they get healed, Jesus has refused to honor your prayers for your own daughter, why don’t you call your father? He is wealthy and able to help!”
“Babe, you know me praying for the sick and they getting well is not by my power. It is God who heals. Also, you know I will never call my father.“ Jethro tried to pacify his wife as he held both her hands. Tolani removed her hands from his.
“Jethro, you are not even calling your father, we are both going to his office to ask for his help right now. If you don’t follow me as I walk out of this hospital, Jethro, it's over between us. You and our daughter will be as good as dead to me. You know, when you approached me and told me God called you, you didn't tell me God has called you to die in suffering…"
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV.
CHAPTER TWO
“I don’t understand you, Kofo. Do you think this is a child's play? You have an opportunity to travel out of the country with Da Crim, the current most popular musician in Nigeria. Our own son in this water slum, who has deemed it fit to give back to the community. What is the matter? Tell me Kofo!”
“Shola, I have told you not to call me Kofo anymore, my birth name is Ramoni. You know I got born again two weeks ago. Kofoshi is a name that stuck on me because of my violent lifestyle back then. But now, I am a new person, call me by my real name.“ Ramoni replied.
Shola shook his head and laughed. “Na you born again, me, I no born again. No call me Shola, call me Sho Pepper. Baba, that’s my nickname and I prefer it. Now, don’t hide from the real matter. Why don’t you want to travel with Da Crim? I remember how we both have been dreaming of living this dirty water slum and Nigeria with the hope of a better life in Europe. Or have you forgotten so soon?"
“Shola, that was my past. I am now born again. The Lord has not asked me to leave.” Ramoni responded and continued “See, if only you too will accept Jesus and let Him direct your life, you will know that not all opportunities are meant for a child of God. You see, there was this man in the Bible who because of a famine left his country to another country without seeking God…”
“No, no, don’t! Don’t preach at me. Just two weeks since your claim to being born again and you are now becoming addicted to the Bible. Look, even my father who is a Pastor does not quote the Bible or live his life asking for God’s leading. For your information, since my father learnt of your lack of interest in the offer to travel abroad, he has already started working on me taking your slot. Don’t be surprised if soon I call you with a foreign line. As they say, one man’s food is another man’s poison.”
“Shola, please pray about it. Don’t just accept the offer. As for your dad, I will be praying for him because every child of God, especially a pastor should have the word of God in their heart and mouth always.“ Ramoni replied...
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV.
Chapter Three
“So are you ready to accept my offer?” Jethro’s father, Apostle Kelani Bada asked Jethro and Tolani, who came to his office to ask for his help.
“Dad, let us not go there. Please help us if you can.” Jethro replied.
“I knew it! I knew this your self inflicted hardship will ruin your life. Why are you acting like the prodigal son when there is abundance in your father’s house?” Apostle Kelani asked his son.
“Dad don’t, don’t go there! We both know that the prodigal son's return to his father was about how a sinner can return to God. Dad, can’t you help?” Jethro begged.
“Yes, I can.”
“Thank you sir.” Tolani and Jethro said as they genuflected.
“But, I won’t. I will not! You think you are better than me? What do you know about life? You are claiming God has called you into ministry and I offered for you to inherit my ministry as my son but you opted to go astray and now you return for my help? Tell me Jethro, why should I help you?”
“Dad, but I already gave you my reasons.”
“Oh! Your reasons? Tolani, your husband is arrogant. Did he tell you I once chose this path he is currently walking in? Did he tell you I once pastored a church under a denomination that pride itself as apostolic and strong in faith? Did he tell you how in the seminary, the Superintendent of the denomination announced during our convocation that because I was the overall best I would be made the Chapel Resident pastor, only for him to call me after two weeks that another person who didn’t even finish in the top ten of our set, but whose parents were great financier of the church, had been given that position and the only offer remaining was to send me to a village in Benin Republic? Tell me, where was the holiness and righteousness of the church then? Did he also tell you I lost his mum because that church refused to send my monthly stipends for six months while I suffered in a foreign land? But when my wife died during delivery, the same church advertised in the column of a newspaper that a hero of faith had passed on. Moreso, till date they still haven’t paid me. If I was not smart to resign and start my own ministry, will that same denomination always identify with me yearly in their convention and give me a special seat? Did he tell you?"
“Dad, I don’t have any issues with you deciding to start your ministry when you were convinced to, but the three questions I have asked you which would have helped me in my decision to return to this ministry, you have not answered yet. Dad, just help us. Your grandchild needs a surgery please.“
“It is a trade by barter. Return to my ministry or I won’t help you! Let us revisit your three questions...“
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the LORD! Isaiah 31:1, ESV.
Continue reading in Chapter Four.
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