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SEIZING THE MOMENT
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2024-10-29 19:42:56People say opportunity once lost cannot be recovered. I believe God is a God of chance and opportunity. He gives us open doors by Himself when it is time. Such open doors are opportunities. Someone must be sensitive enough to grasp the opportunity. I call it: seizing the moment. Never miss your moment.
We, her friends, I mean Comfort had been under the tormentor. Living with a critical, censorious friend can be oppressive. We were oppressed, suppressed, depressed with this negative, toxic friend. Here I was, face to face with this tormentor, ready to strike and tell her the truth we all had been shying away from. We never had the nerve, the strength, the courage to talk to her. It was that bad. I mean very bad. I was going to miss the opportunity, when someone just rushed to Comfort, praising the wonderful talk she gave us in the fellowship I was almost giving up because the person kept on talking and talking. I was becoming agitated because l never knew when I would have such a rare moment. Nevertheless, I chose to become more patient though a little apprehensive. I waited for the other person to go. I quickly told her, that I have something to share with her. We decided to go to a more secluded area to talk. Yes, I mean talk.While we were going, there were few distractions on the way. Someone called me to ask me where she could buy fresh fish in the market. Another one called to find out if I could teach her how to cook a special soup called Edikanikong , mixed vegetables common with Calabar people. While I got over those, others also engaged my friend, Comfort in scriptural analysis. Ah! I was almost given up when suddenly my friend shouted, “Princess, please let us go, it’s getting late”.I quickly jumped up and we went to a very peaceful place under an acacia tree. The cool breeze was blowing, it was cool. At this moment, I decided to speak, a little bit blunt though.“Comfort! You have an acidic tongue, you are toxic. I mean you have been hurting us, tormenting us with your negative words. It has been very difficult living with you. I cited series of examples to buttress my point.I ended it by telling her: But I love you. I do. I have discovered that you are not just beautiful, intelligent but deep down inside you are a beautiful soul, tender, loving, and kind. I want people to discover the best of you. You are simply amazing.I know you have been wounded and hurt by people, I continued that is why you are hurting others. Let go of that bitterness, let it go forgive those that have hurt you. I know it is very deep. It is vivid and fresh but let go, releases yourself from this torment. Stop imprisoning yourself. Let the best of Comfort be seen. Let God be glorified in you. By now, your guess is as good as mine, she was all in tears. She was weeping profusely. She let out the bitterness of several years. She released them in bitter, agonizing tears. She wept uncontrollably. Oh! How she wept! I allowed her to weep until she was fully satisfied. By that time, it was dark but we were there, there was a street light close to where we were. It was a good relief. The place was a little bit lit.I was happy, I did not disrupt her cries. Always good to allow people to cry, they feel better and relieved. After she was spent, she smiled, looking at me for some time before she suddenly hugged me. This was a great moment for her. She had never dared to share her pain and sorrows with anyone. She never trusted any. She had lost her mother when she was five years old. She only had a faint memory of her. She was raised by a struggling sister because she was the last born of the family.Finally! At last! I was finally relieved too. The burden was off my chest. What I had expected did not happen. I thought she would be provoked and fight me. Tongue lashing me as usual of her. That night was different, I felt the stars clapping and singing for me. I made it, yes I made it. The boldness, the courage was supplied, the right words that broke her completely were given by the Holy Spirit. Sweet Holy Spirit was with us sincerely, I felt like clapping and dancing at the same time to the music of heaven.My dear, wonderful friend was completely broken down. She hugged me and appreciated me for daring to speak the truth in love. I completely seized the moment I was not going to leave here until I was satisfied. Oh! What a night unforgettable night.Related chapters
THE CONVERSION THE STORY BEGINS …
Comfort came from a humble background. Her father was a thriving farmer with many wives. Comfort’s mother was the first wife. She had four children, two male, and two female with Comfort’s father.In those days, farmers always strive to marry several wives because of their farm. The children born to them by their numerous wives are easy labour for the farmers.It was no oddity that Comfort’s father had several wives. The mother was a petty trader, she used the sales to support what her husband gives for her children. She did her best before she gave up the ghost. Her first child was a female. Labake completed her National Certificate of Education (NCE) she got married to a good man. The couple took custody of Comfort when they lost their mum.Labake became Comfort’s second mother, Comfort was a young girl of 5 years old. She was then in primary one because she started her schooling education early. Her schooling continued in her sister’s custody. She, being a brilliant girl
THE CONVERSION THE DECEPTION
Comfort had grown to become a beautiful young damsel. She had completed her form5 with Grade 1. She took Joint Admission Matriculation Board Examination and did very well. She was billed to read Architecture in the then University of Ife now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) she entered the University, doing very well. Everything was okay with her until one day.One fateful day, when she clocked eighteen years, she was in the University, part three when she received a special call from Barry her sister’s husband. Barry excitedly calls her, wishing her a happy birthday. She, in turn, asked of her sister, he replied that she was doing well with the children.He said, he would be coming from Lagos to pay her a visit for her birthday celebration. Eighteen is very special. She is now an adult. Officially, she is now regarded as an adult, she can vote and can also take responsibility for herself. She is now of age. Barry continued with his lecture. Comfort did not suspect anyth
THE CONVERSION THE DEPRESSION
Those times were extremely tough for Comfort. The pains were excruciating. The emotional trauma. The thought that her dreams were broken into pieces by a thief who stole in deceptively to take it by force. She kept on reliving the memories in her subconscious mind. She found it very difficult to sleep. Several times she had woken up screaming in pain.Terrible nightmares followed again and again. Her friends Toyin and Kemi woke her up and demanded an explanation for her sudden fear and screaming in the night. She had also withdrawn from them and often comes out moody. She thinks a lot and had lost her laughter, vigour, liveliness. What was wrong, they demanded to know “hmmm, it is nothing girls”. “Why are you so bothered about me. I tell you it is, nothing. It is just this nightmare. " It was clear they never believed her. They knew she was hiding a lot of things from them. They eventually became tired of asking and faced their own business. There was this time Kemi was ins
THE CONVERSION IT IS MY TIME.
Kemi lives in Ibadan, I woke up the following day to go to Ibadan to visit my friend and at least escape the “Villian” at home; I meant uncle, Barry. I packed a few clothes and took the necessary items to go with me. I was quite excited to travel. The fun on the way, buying refreshments, and seeing different sights made me glad. I love adventure and was willing to explore the city of Ibadan. It used to be the third-largest city in Africa but later became the second-largest city after Cairo in Egypt “I was going to the second-largest city in Africa”. I said to myself, Lo! and behold, I landed in the city. It was fun to see numerous people streaming up and down. There was a mixture of old and new buildings. Some of the old buildings were giving way to the new. In the ancient city full of life and activities, I got to my friend’s house. She was excited to see me. We exchanged greetings and I was taken to my room. The parents came in much later in the evening because they were business
THE CONVERSION SHE RETURNS
Comfort returns to the arm of her savior. She gave it all to Jesus Christ who loved her enough to accept her messed up life. She returned to school. She also started to fellowship on campus with (NIFES) International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. She made new friends in the fellowship, It was a new life for her. She always enjoys the fellowship. The praises, prayer, and the word of God. They became healing to her spirit, soul, and body. Her academics were becoming revived too. She was assimilating very well. She was tutoring her classmates as she used to do before."I made new friends but believe me, they were all female friends". I was a bit scared of really coming close to those brothers. Once we ended the fellowship, I rushed out immediately hardly greeting any brother apart from my female friends, I moved out quickly to go to the library to read before going back to the hostel.There was a time the fellowship president noticed me and decided to engage me in
THE CONVERSION BLISSFUL DAYS
My academics were going on well. I was on top in my department. My fellowship on campus was quite interesting. I remembered a particular incidence. One of our fellowship leaders was preaching passionately to all the members in the open field. The topic was “spreading the Goodnews”. His message was quite challenging. Although he was a stammerer, he was able to calm down and his words were coherent enough for everyone to understand. His words were soft and were piercing our hearts. Our hearts were being smitten by his strong and powerful words of wisdom. Suddenly, we discovered that almost everyone was crying for neglecting sinners on campus and leaving them to live a carefree and immoral life. No one to put them to shame, no one to touch their hearts to change their ways. We were touched and were crying. Our cries cause a stir on campus, passersby were wondering what was making us cry. We could care less, the burden for lost souls had taken us over. The more he was preaching, the mor
THE CONVERSION HOOKED.
Toyin, please wait for me, I was unusually late that day. I was undecided about the type of cloth to wear, I never knew why I was confused. Eventually, I managed to put on a red top and a white skirt, we went to the campus fellowship. They had finished praying and were singing, in fact about rounding up the songs to hand over to the coordinator for the day, who in turn would bring in the speaker, when we got in.I was ashamed of myself, that day, I love to be punctual to the fellowship I hate to be irresponsible. I call lateness irresponsibility because others would have gone ahead to serve while I would be missing, then coming late to serve God. Whatever is worth doing, is what doing well. If you serve God, serve him well. The only reason I may justify lateness is if the circumstance is genuinely beyond control. If it is sudden sickness, then I know that is beyond my control.It was a prayer meeting that day. The brother coordinating the prayers led us powerfully. The p
THE CONVERSION EVEN YOU
“Even you brother Solomon, God will judge you”. I was weeping uncontrollably, “ you a prayer band leader did this to me, with impudent face as if it is nothing, this is unfaithfulness to God and to me. God will not allow you to go scot free”. I was completely broken down, shattered, I felt betrayed. If anyone had told me brother Solomon would betray my trust and befriending another lady, I wouldn’t have agreed”.“I do not know why you felt betrayed, I never told you, I would marry you, I told you we should start a relationship, I did not say marriage did I ?” “You are wicked, you are a sadist; cunning old fool; serpent” I kept on calling him names. I left his room in great anger. I kept on asking myself all sorts of questions what have I done to deserve this ill-treatment from this deceiver? He lured into a relationship. I thought he was a very good Christian. A leader in the fellowship. Though I never wanted a relationship with him, he seduced me. I fell for it. No wonder he sai
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THE CONVERSION RECONCILIATION
"What permission?" Barry said. Labake looking at her sister exclaimed, "Little sis, aren't you fortunate to have a big mom? Congratulations to you my Comfort, though I will miss you I think Mrs. Carolina will make a better mother than me. I have failed you again and again but God has raised another woman to take over. Mom would be delighted in her grave to know this. Comfort, please find a place in your heart to forgive me. Never forget us, I and my family here. We love you". Barry spoke, full of emotion." I lack words to express my regret. If you can cut through my heart, you will see how sorry I am. I wish I can draw back the hand of time, but it can not be undone. Please, do forgive me. I gladly release you, because it will help you to forget past experiences. Thank you". Comfort fully satisfied with them moved over and hugged her brother and sister, thanking them for taking her in at a tender age."Whatever I am today is a result of your benevolence. You were my world, took
THE CONVERSION REMORSEFUL
Mrs. Carolina Allen made through her promise to Comfort and put a call to her daughter in Europe. Marian picked her mom's call with joy and great excitement. It's been a long time they spoke. After the greetings and sharing the things happening at home in Nigeria. Then she brought in that of Barry. She was too shocked to say a word." Marian, are you still there?". She uttered the words thrice before she regained her consciousness."This is unbelievable mom, you mean the idiot is yet to change? To imagine that I should have married this man? God saved me from the torment and torture of an adulterer who does not know his boundary. A girl she raised from age 5? She must have brought her up as a chicken to be slaughtered. He must pay for this crime. But we need to find out if the girl has any evidence to show he defiled her. I appreciate you for telling me that I should wait for God to avenge. See what the Lord has done. Vengeance is His, He repays beyond what a human being c
THE CONVERSION STUNNED
Marian was surprised to see another woman. It was like a dream and she wished to wake up from it. If anyone has told her that Barry would cheat on her, she would have called such a person a liar. So, all the love he professed was fake. Men are wicked, but the lady is wicked too. To imagine that her mother had warned her of the relationship. How good it is to always listen to the wise counsel of parents. She was so much in love with Barry that she despised her mother's wise counsel. Well, she has been proved right. Indeed, a dog will always go back to his vomit. A sow washed will go back to the mire. A leopard cannot change its skin.Barry became confused and wished she had not come. The situation is embarrassing to him. How will he handle it? She must be waiting for them to come out. He wished to hide the lady. If she gets to see her, won't she fight? Many thoughts were flying in his heart. He sat down lamenting his predicament. He loves Marian but the desire to wait till
THE CONVERSION MAZE
Marian Allen was a very beautiful girl, studying Law at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She is one of the best students on campus. Barry Lawal was also a student on campus studying Business Administration and was in the second year also doing very well in his studies Barry had an uncle who was a business, mogul, Barry stays in his house in Victoria Island to help him with house chores. He takes care of his house in his absence because he travels a lot. His family stays in Canada. He goes there to see them from time to time. The uncle, who is called Chief loves women. He has a lot of money, and so spends it on his lust. He goes to clubs every evening, bringing in ladies and sleeping with them. When Barry entered university, he encourages him to bring in ladies on campus. He loves girls and he pays Barry for every lady he brings to him to sleep with. He gives Barry money freely and one day decided to buy a small Toyota Corolla for him. Barry was excited and went around
THE CONVERSION EXPOSED
With the success of her campaign going on in schools, Comfort resolved to further it by taking it home. She knew what she was about doing was not going to be easy, but she is determined not to keep her sister in the dark again. One of the things that encouraged her was the scriptures that say, there is nothing hidden that will not be exposed. It was time for secret things to come out in the open. There are natural laws of the earth that opens up things hidden. The time has come for that. She knows her sister's home or marriage may be disturbed but the truth must triumph. Enough of fallacy. Comfort told her sister she would be coming home for something important. She tried to be inquisitive, asking for a clue, but she declined and told her to be patient. After all, she is coming home. Her heart skipped for fear but she held on to her conviction. Suddenly, she felt weak, what is the use of confessing what has happened several years back, is it not like stirring the horne
THE CONVERSION COLLEGE CAMPAIGN
With the success recorded in the Christian Corpers Fellowship, Comfort was amply encouraged to do more. Encomiums kept coming to strengthen her arms, testimonies of healings of hurt ones were reigning. A kind of revival was going on. Comfort started to form a team for her new project. They met in one of the schools to discuss it. They were to choose between the two:Talk to me or Speak out. Princess argued that victims of molestation should be encouraged to speak out and not be intimidated. The name is suggestive and brings out the campaign properly. The need to be bold and not be shy is a must so that perpetrators can be judged and prosecuted. It will discourage such acts. One of the members felt it should be Talk to me because the people should learn to confide in people and talk, not quiet. Eventually, they agreed to use the two because both are good.Comfort and Princess went to a girls school to talk to the Principal about their project for the school. The princ
THE CONVERSION RECOVERY
This is the summary of me, Princess, you melted my stony heart. Opening up to you has uncovered my wound that has been covered up for some years. Today, I breathe in the fresh air and I've started to heal. What transformation! You wouldn't know the value of what you have done. But be rest assured, we are together in this and I can never be the same again. Oh! I will sing, I will shout, even in the darkest hour of my night, I will sing, I will shout.". Comfort bursts into singing, feeling rapturous. Princess joined in singing along. Dolly Parton that sang" Coat of many colours" couldn't have sung better.Princess, carried away by her story and has been emotionally following her all the way, held Comfort in her warm embrace stroking her hair like a baby that has just been weaned. She was unable to talk, she felt, she needed the comfort. "Just like your name, it is only God that will comfort you. He will make you comfortable and settle you beyond your wildest dreams and imag
THE CONVERSION THE DREAM
Vincent left finally for Texas because Comfort felt bad about their relationship. She saw it as a betrayal to Kathy. Kathy paid for spoiling the beautiful thing that started between them. Comfort was undergoing pain for also refusing Vincent. She missed his love, friendship greatly. She took solace in her Lord. According to her, she had derailed with a series of fruitless relationships. Her final year examination approaches, she had completed her final project with grade A.She settled down to read, go to campus fellowship. She became a subgroup Bible study leader. Every Tuesday, students are divided into groups to study the Word of God. She leads one of such groups. She was able to give herself without reservation to God. She determined not to allow any relationship with a man. She had suffered enough. Unknown to her, she has become bitter. The examination started in full force. She goes to read in the mornings and evenings. When she goes in the evening, she stays
THE CONVERSION VINCENT'S REVENGE
Kathy was reveling in her little revenge on Comfort, aided by sycophants of friends. One of her friends praised her courage for landing Comfort two hot slaps. "You have guts, imprudence to handle betrayals like her. Almost the same thing happened to me years back, a trusted friend of mine, a childhood friend stabbed me at the back. She got to know another boyfriend of mine and because of her Petty jealousy, she went to the first boyfriend who was stinkingly rich, informed him of the second one. Richmond is his name. Richmond called me immediately, telling me about having an affair with another man. That was the end of my relationship with Richmond. The other one too heard of it and cut off from me. I lost on both sides. That was small. I was nursing the wound of losing two precious sweethearts when I saw Richmond holding my friend, Charlotte in an open space. I discreetly followed, then my Richmond was speaking sweet nothing to her ears lovingly, then I knew they were in a relations
