Here is my Testimony!!!

My Testimony is simple.

I was born into a family of six. My father though very loving was a strict disciplinarian- He sure knew how to draw that line. My mum nonetheless was stern yet soft. Sometimes, she was the mediator to daddy and other times she was ‘the soldier’.  We were the average Lagos-based family; Not ‘rich’, certainly not poor. We could afford bread daily from the bakery nearby, clothes at Christmas and our fees though mostly delayed, were eventually paid. We walked to school, had one or two toys and were content.

My father was so much of a giver and many relations saw him as a hero. Even where we had nothing, he would give something. I remember his hearty laughter, his scold-look and the times he would call us one by one after dinner time to ask if we had eaten to satisfaction. Our responses often didn’t matter because he would still request that bread and milk be bought. Daddy ensured there was always food and that the necessary things we needed had to be met.  He sure taught us not to beg and to be content until the next month-end.

In 1999, our father retired from the civil service after 35 years and relocated to the village.  For my sisters and I, this was a cultural shock we had to adjust to. The village which was oftentimes a Christmas holiday ‘adventure’ became our permanent home. Like regular villagers, we walked to the stream every morning to fetch water, journeyed to the farm and back, dried our father’s cocoa when the sun was out and with our lanterns ignited at night, we endured lack of electricity. We got used to these. When our secondary school in Calabar closed for the holidays, we travelled home to Etomi village, where daddy and mummy were.

Daddy died of a heart attack in 2006 and we were devastated. We feared, “How do we begin?” “Where do we turn to?” “Who will provide for us?” And every time we asked ourselves these questions, we realized there were no feasible answers. Our bread-winner was gone and we could find no other source. Having been totally dependent on daddy, we realized we had lost him sooner that we would have expected. We wept, but in all our mourning, one thing we never stopped doing was to encourage ourselves. Indeed, this was a time we identified with bible scriptures expounding on God’s promises and ability to take us through troubling times. As we did this, we gradually turned to Him as our source and the peace we had never encountered before suddenly enveloped us. Then we continually pronounced, “It is well”.

Friends, in a few minutes 2013 would be over and my mum, sisters and I can confidently pronounce, “IT HAS BEEN WELL!!!” In the past years we have had no cause to beg, borrow or live in lack. We have held firm to the power of God’s word and seen it work in our lives. Through the years, God has kept us healthy, we have recorded no accidents or death, we have all completed school, and have good shelter above our heads. We all have our independent testimonies but here are a few things God has done for me.

·         I have NEVER slept on a hospital bed (Psalm 92:10)

·         I have never encountered an accident (Psalm 92:11)

·         I am alive and well; my family is safe (Psalm 92: 16)

·         I have never been homeless (Psalm 91:1)

·         I have never lacked food (Isaiah 58:11)

·         The peace of God has always stayed with me (Psalm 127:2)

·         God has gifted me with skills and established the work of my Hands (Psalm 90:17)

·         God guided me in a strange land from 2011 to 2012 (Psalm 32:8)

·         He made me what I am today (redeemed, favoured, blessed) (Psalm 5:12)

·         In all, He has been a Father, Source and Friend

Early this morning, as I did my early morning workout, I walked pass a lady sitting on the side of the road. She was of small statue and seemed to be in her late 40s. I had noticed her the previous day covered up in a wrapper and laying on the same spot. My first thought was that she probably was an insane woman. As I briskly walked by today, I noticed a small New-Testament bible by her side. It was dusty, opened at the middle with many bent pages. I walked past with thoughts and questions brewing-up in my mind.

On my way back exhausted, I decided to pause and engage with her for a bit. “Madam, na here you sleep?” Smiling, she responded, “Yes”. I approached her and pried further, asking what the problem was. She lamented on how she sells pure water in the market and is usually being chased by the Task force, leading to her losses and hence her decision to give up and stay on the road. She spoke well, seemed sane and explained her helpless state. I asked her how she planned to fend for herself by sitting here and she responded pointing to her bible, “See my bible, I don dey pray. One day, God go answer me”.

She was confident in her speech and the acknowledgment of God’s true word. I admitted, “Na true you talk o, but you know say if God wan send you help, the person fit no find you for here.” As the conversation went on, I offered her some advice to take up a cleaning or washing job in the banks or shops nearby. We opened Psalm 90:17 with her bible and she read it out loud, seeing that God could establish her handwork. With a bit of change on me, I encouraged her to step out and dare God to bless her handwork just as His Word says.

I cannot blame this lady. I act like this sometimes and I guess some of us do too. Despite all that God has done, sometimes we go through the day feeling forgotten, seemingly trusting in the Word, and yet lamenting and recounting all our present challenges and needs. Nevertheless, after all the discouraging thoughts I recall how far God has brought me. I know I’m not where I want to be, but I’m certainly not where I was before. Many times, I have stepped out and seen God’s hand at work, shaming my fear and discontent.

Now 2014 is here. After the ‘Cross-over’ merriment today, the enemy resumes full-time tomorrow to steal our joy and remind us of how rough and tough the month of January is. The choice will be ours. Would we remember what God did in the past and declare His promises for the future or will we reason with the devil?

As for me, my testimony will always remain my confession - “IT IS WELL!!!”

I wish you all a very pleasant New Year!!!

ColourmeAmba J