A deserved moment

 “I don’t like to gamble, but if there’s one thing I’m willing to bet on, it’s myself.”
— Beyoncé

Sunday was another great day for me, even though I didn't go to Church, I was at home with Grandma since she doesn't go to Church again because of her strength already going down. According to her, she does not want to stress anyone.

I remembered when Mama was still very active, she would always make sure no one was left behind on Sunday. She leaves home exactly at 8am and everyone must have gone before her. She is always punctual and time conscious. I would say I learnt those skills from her. Mama being a retired teacher would always speak good English with us even till now and she would always crack jokes for us to laugh. She is always fun to be with.

Someone was knocking at the door yesterday morning and I quickly went to answer the person and I saw Mama already coming to sit in the sitting room. Mama was surprised I didn't go to church, she just smiled at me. While going back into my room, she called me back to sit with her and that was when she started her story. I was keen on listening to everything as I didn't want to miss anything from what she was saying.

She started with how she got married and how her parents didn't want her to get married to my grandpa because of his background. Mama said she gave her life to Christ and was always praying for the right man.

She finished school and met her husband while he was on the missionary field. She saw how devoted he was in serving God, she was convinced they were both going to make a good couple. They came to know each other and dated for five years before getting married.

According to mama, grandpa was the only child who went to school and Graduated, even their marriage was the best and the first couple who did legal marriage and because of this, there was a battle against her and grandpa. They tried their best to kill mama but they couldn't because she was always praying to God.

She said she couldn't report to her parents because they already warned her of going into such a family but she refused and insisted she was going to marry him. She reported her matter to God and she has always been vindicated.

Mama said they killed six of her children but she didn't get angry at them but forgive them. She adopted many children who they both trained and took care of till they grew up. Many are already old and some have died. She never maltreated any of the children with her but was always helping them under her roof. They tried all their best to destroy the marriage but they couldn't get to her. Mama gave birth to five more children after then and they are still alive today.

There was a day she slept and when she woke up, her two eyes were closed. They wanted to make mama blind but God didn't allow them and operations were done to the eyes to make her see till today.

I was listening attentively as she kept speaking. I felt for her because of what she went through in her husband's house but she never for once fought back at those trying her.

She and her husband never involved any third party into their marriage and this is another great lesson I hold on to from her. She said when both of them are shouting at each other because there is no marriage without misunderstanding but when they see anyone coming, they smile and pretend as if nothing happened until the visitor has gone, then they resume back but at the end, they resolve the matter between themselves without their Children knowing about their fights.

Till grandpa died, he served God with his life as a reverend. I was very young when he died but the little time I spent with him, I know he was a great man with principles. He knows how to handle a matter and would settle it amicably leaving no one behind to be hurt. His judgment is always a fair one with no partiality. Whenever I look at their pictures together, I wish papa hasn't died but to see how his family are doing today.

When you are going into marriage, it is important we hold onto God who instituted marriage and ask for His guidance especially in a home you are going into. There are many forces in each home but with the grace of God, He is capable of journeying with you when you call on Him to guide you in your marriage.

Mama finished her story and I thanked her for telling me all these. The day was great throughout as I kept ruminating on what mama told me.

Thanks for reading

Image by Cherrydeck on unsplash

[April 25, 2022] (No 115 article for the year)