Tuesday, January 19, 2010

In Gratitude

One Day, In 2002
I sat across him in the large, well-furnished office. In my mind, I went over my points. Times were hard. I needed a job. 1 year after Uni and NYSC had been postponed again. I had done IT with his organization. My grade in school was not bad. I knew he could help out for the time being. We had communicated through emails. Now I had the opportunity to express myself.

"Sweet little Rita," he started, "I have seen your emails. I cannot give you a job with us - it is beyond my power. But I can give you something better. Something to solve all your problems. Let me take care of you. I will buy you a house and put N1m in your account. Then you will take care of me and have a child for me."

I was not disgusted neither did I feel insulted. His offer sounded like the perfect plan for me. A house and N1million? Do you know what that meant to a young graduate who had seen only N100K (scholarship money) as the maximum in her account? I reasoned within myself. I could start a business with the N1m and generate more income for myself. I would live in a house, me and my child, and destroy this married man's marriage. Hopefully he will leave his wife for me. All the clothes, shoes, perfumes and hairstyles I had dreamt of will become a reality.

I did not know God then, so I could not refuse "for the sake of God". It's just that I had this dream, when I was 4 years old, of me and my young handsome husband (changed to young handsome Ibo husband when I was 13), and our 4 children, living in a very big house. My husband was very rich and he loved me very much. Was I going to give up this dream for an old man with N1m?

After the battle, which seemed like forever in the space of 5 minutes, I replied, "Dear Sir, I cannot accept. Maybe I am a fool but I will prefer a job of N5000. If you are not in the position to help me, then I might have to think of doing something else for myself. Thank you very much for everything you've done for me."

One Day, 2009

I looked at the promotion letter. I looked at the salary. I could not believe the digits. But I knew God. I knew He is more than capable. I knew this amazing increase could only come from Him.

Today, 2010
I thank God for His faithfulness. I thank God that even when I did not know Him, He still loved me and directed me. I thank Him for giving me the ability to wait on Him and 7 years later I have a testimony. I thank Him for waiting for me to come to Him. I thank Him for the dream, which comes to pass as each day unfolds. Thank You, My Loving Father. You, who promised, are Faithful.

Inspired by the scripture in today's devotional on "From The Heart of a Loving Father" which speaks of God waiting for us to come to Him.

Dear Jesus, I think I have a slight idea of what happened here: Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” [Matthew 4:8-9]

28 comments:

AliceDCL said...

oh Rita,
You were strong
a lot of girls would have gone heads into it.
am glad u didnt
it shows that GOD loves evryone even unbelievers and his plan for you was made manifest.....

Harry said...

This is amazing..Thank God for you

Misstarii said...

Thank You Rita, that's encouraging,waiting upon the Lord, i need to wait..I know He Loves me.
Thank you!

amara said...

Praise God! An astounding testimony, God can truly take us beyond our wildest dreams, sorry I missed you yesterday, will call as soon as I'm able, remain blessed

Dee! said...

Thank God! Thank God for speaking through you on that day. This really proves that God is ALWAYS with us and in His time, he makes all things right. Thank you for sharing this wonderful testimony. I pray many will be inspired by it.

Stay blessed!

SOLOMONSYDELLE said...

Aunty Rita! This was powerful.

"I thank God that even when I did not know Him, He still loved me and directed me."

Indeed, I join you in saying thanks.

Admin said...

umm i am happy for you,our God is a wonderful God

~Sirius~ said...

Rita!!!!
I was deep into this post....
And it really was that illustration.

Hmmmm....your testimony is my testimony, I just have to wait for my turn.

I'm eternally grateful to God.

Chiamaka said...

Wow,that's a swt testimony,sounds so much like one i hrd in mornin prayers today. God is gr8

Blessing said...

What an amazing testimony!!! Congrats Rita...the best is yet to come!

chichi said...

This sure is inspiring. It is not easy doing the right thing especially when one feels like there is no other choice, but your testimony shows we all have a choice, and by God's infinite grace we never regret when we make the right one :D

p.s Thanks for coming by mine

legendswife said...

wow, thank you for sharing this. God bless

Vera Ezimora said...

Rita,

This is so encouraging. God is the only One who knows the end from the beginning. Many times, when we're in the middle of that difficulty, when life throws us that curve ball, we give up, or take the road more traveled because it's more convenient. But God who knows everything has a way of blessing us. He always blesses us beyond that which we would have settled for, beyond our wildest imagination.

TayneMent said...

Very encouraging story. Often times we hear wait for the Lord and we think it's cliche but it's true. Thank you also for your other blog,it's a source of encouragement.

Myne said...

Wow, this is a testimony, I'm so glad for you. God is always faithful.

jhazmyn said...

Hmm!!!, Isnt God Awesome

Enkay said...

God's love reaches us and guides us even when we're not aware of it.

You are a highly favoured woman.

Writefreak said...

This brought tears to my eyes! And i'm thankful God helped you to hold on to the future He has provided for you.

I take a lot of things for granted, having been a Christian for so long...

Andrea said...

Wow, Rita.This is truly amazing. God is wonderful...and you are very strong..

Unknown said...

i get what you mean.. time was when i had it rough.. and thought i had such " good male friends" well, they showed me the other side of life.. i persevered and now, no man can use money as his trump card for me.. im so happy for you.. but the thing is most chicks still want the easy way out.. and its really sad..
www.askchacha4free.blogspot.com

Adeoluwa - NBB said...

That was great. An offer of a house and N1 million, alot of ladies will jump at it. This is a measure of strength,principles and values. Keep it up, Cos in life there will always be challenges.

Unknown said...

I am really glad that I found your site....Nice post!

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Rita said...

@ BBB: - I am also glad I didn’t. I don’t think I would have preferred the future as a mistress to where I am now.
@Harry-Rami Itie: - Thank you my broad.
@ Tricia: - you won’t be disappointed when you wait on the Lord. He surely loves you.
@ Amara: - Yes oh, God can take us beyond our wildest dreams. Will be expecting ur call.
@Dee!: - Thank you. Yes, He makes everything beautiful in it’s time. Remain blessed.
@SOLOMONSYDELLE:- the best mommy, continue to join me in saying thanks oh. My own is not enough, even now that I think of the words you highlighted.
@ muyiwa: - He is indeed a wonderful God.
@ ~Sirius~: - My dear, your testimony will be greater.
@HYAW:- Thank you and thanks to our great God.
@ Blowing Blessings Your Way: - Amen, thank you dear.

Rita said...

@chichi:- you can say that again, it is not easy doing the right thing. I truly thank God for His grace.
You know I am a fan of your blog…:-)
@legendswife:- thank you.
@Vera Ezimora: - thank you and thank God. I was too close to taking the road more travelled. Your words sef are encouraging me. Thank you.
@ TayneMent: - Thanks a lot, especially for being a part of the other blog.
@ Myne Whitman: - Yes indeed He is faithful. Thank you.
@ jhazmyn: -To God be the glory
@ Enkay: - I receive, I receive…I am highly favoured. Thank God for His amazing love.
@ Writefreak: - now I am so touched, by your words, and it has helped me see God in yet another light…
@ Andrea: - God is wonderful oh! Will I say I am very strong? I don’t think I could have done it on my own and I thank Him for the strength becos I was so close to accepting the offer.
@ 2cute4u: - I can understand what you mean by “no man can use money as his trump card for me”. Thank you.
@ Sincmedia:- thanks so much. I will do my best to keep it up :-)
@Sangeeta: - thank you.

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David C Brown said...

Jacob speaks about, "the God who shepherded me all my life long to this day". It is good to know that He always had His eye upon us.

Kafo said...

wow
God surprises us in wayz that we can't even begin to comprehend

Patrinas Pencil said...

Awesome, Rita.
God protectected you because He has a plan for your life and He wanted you to avoid this mistake. Isn't it cool how He was all around you even when you didn'dt know HIm? This is love. Only God can give this kind of Love. Safe in the arms of Jesus.

I loved your ending with scripture. Very cool! Right on!

Patrina <")>><