#ThankfulThursday – Planting

 

FROM FAITH TO FAITH

The Word Conference started from a Dominion angle and took us to a level of Grace that declared that because God has given us Grace doesn’t mean we have the licence to sin. It is not a debit card for foolishness (my words). We had different ministers change and literally uproot our old ways of thinking, which said that ‘we always had to do something for God to do something’. Sometimes, He just shows up as the Supreme Being that He is and knocks us off our feet with His goodness.

This year we are moving from Grace to levels in Faith. I’m super-excited as I wait to hear the angle each speaker is going to come from. With the likes of Dr. Mensa Otabil, Dr. Abel Damina, Dr. Cindy Trimm, Bishop David Abioye, Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo and Pastor Paul Adefarasin, and ministering in music, ONOS, LMGC and Sonnie Badu, you can be sure that you will be catapulted into different realms and brought back down into reality, but this time armed with enough Faith to take on the world.

Two days back, I awoke from sleep and I heard “Faith is WAIT” and I’m like ‘okay!’ Wait means amongst others
“to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens (often followed by for, till, or until)”;
“to remain neglected for a time”;
“to look forward to eagerly”;
“to postpone or delay in expectation”.

As you can see, WAIT means different things and I said to myself, “would I rather be neglected for a time or look forward eagerly?” I bet you know the answer already. The bible says in Hebrews 6:11- 12 “ And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” Faith is placed side by side with Patience, which tells me that you have need of Patience, even when you are looking forward to eagerly and ‘being patient’ is one of the synonyms of WAIT.

And you say, but according to Hebrews 11:1 – ‘Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.’ Faith is substance, Faith is evidence! What is evidence? “That which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.” For us as believers, Faith is proof and what is that proof, the Word of God which is the manual that tells us of all that has been done and will be done. These are pictures I can look at and say God has done it before, it is right here. And now He says to me, I will do it again (perhaps differently) in Frances’ life, why would I want to doubt that?!

Isaiah 40:31 tells “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” What does it mean to WAIT ON? “To perform the duties of an attendant or servant for”. So, here am I in Faith and I’m Waiting on God to perform. Trust me, that He will shake body for my sake just so He can shut up the mouth of unbelief that screams at me daily (through situations) saying ‘where is your God’.

This is me trying to grasp and understand Faith being Wait. But I can assure you that come 13^th-17^th April 2016, all the confusion regarding Faith will be addressed. I’m extending an invitation to you to join me and let’s take it to another level. Till then, don’t stop being expectant as you wait for your answers – it will come in Jesus name Amen!

©2016. Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved

Freedom Friday – Hope’s Slender Back

It's Freedom Friday! Yippee. 
SeasonedSistah 2 is making progress, see how far she's gone on that journey.

Today, I'm dealing with a Nigerian situation as found in another time...Enjoy!

Hands trailing the soft, silky curtains with floral patterns at the edges all the way to the other side of the window, gathering the folds as she strolls absent-mindedly and then she lets them slip out of her fingers and they fall back into place without a fuse. One could barely tell if there had been movement seconds ago.

Crushed, she falls to the ground, “how could you bless me like this with silence?! How?!” Lovely locks of Brazilian hair falls on either side of her face dropping on the floor, covering her up as if to reinforce the prison her beautiful home had become. A pool of tears and mucus form on the floor, as she wrenches from deep within, from the recess of the pain she has borne for many years. When will I stop seeing this blood?

Agatha! Agatha!! Agatha!!! His concerned voice brings her back to reality. “When will you stop tormenting yourself like this? I am the head of this house, do you realise that I am equally affected?” People will say, “He used his manhood for wealth, in place of having children”. Hmmm, (heaves a sigh of relief and continues) “my family will say, so this is how our legacy will end, won’t Olu give us an heir? They won’t even say a CHILD, but a SON!”

“There you go talking about a son again, when all I really want is a child! No, Olu, they will say, it is that barren woman he brought from his trip to the other land. Why didn’t he marry from amongst his kind? If he did, we would have had many sons including daughters running around his house. Enough for a football team! Barren woman!” And the others will correct them, “A fellow man you mean?”

“Peace be unto this house”, interrupting their private discussion. They turn in unison to behold a prophet with a bell in his hands. As if on cue, Agatha rises to chase him out and Olu to hold her back from doing him any harm. “Please leave our home”, he announces with pleading eyes.

“Agatha, calm down, calm down, he is gone!”

And why won’t they leave us alone?! If it is not a Prophet, it is a Bishop or a Penti-rasta or whatever they call themselves. I am tired of their fake promises, prayers and to crown it all, I am drained from all the sacrifices. Isn’t their God satisfied? Does He want to eat me before He can grant our request? She wails unashamedly into her husband’s arms as he rocks her patting her back in the process. “We will go past this Babes, we will. Don’t give up.”

Some Years later…
“Oko mi, Olu my love.”
“You seem rather happy today, what do you need money for?”
“Can’t I praise my husband again, the one that fights my mockers and makes me stand tall regardless of the situation we have found ourselves. Can’t I serenade the one who dotes on me at every opportunity? Sometimes, you make me laugh with your insinuations”
“Just pulling your leg babes, I know you can buy the whole lace in Aswani market, if you chose to. But really, what is the cause of this excitement?”
“Ok, since you asked,” (hesitantly) “I saw that man stroll pass today”
“Which man, have you started having an affair?” he said with mock annoyance
“Be serious for once Olu! I mean the man of God.”
Olu interjects, “I thought we had agreed no more pastors or whatever they call themselves. I don’t want to see you go down that path again. I don’t want to watch you pine, carrying the pain month in, month out, whenever your flow begins after they have come, promised and left.” (visibly upset now) “Hope’s back is wearing thin and I’m not sure how much of this strain it can carry anymore. Don’t do this to yourself babes. I know I had said not to give up hope, but don’t live in the clouds either,” he concludes.
“Oko mi, I believe in this one. Probably because he doesn’t make an effort to show me who he is or what he can do.”
●
Thank you for your hospitality. As I was praying yesterday, God impressed upon my heart to tell you that by the time of life, you shall bear a son.
Hahahhaa, laughing sadly and in disbelief, Agatha replies, “Pastor Matthew, please do not make a mockery of me, after all these years, after all I said to Him. Is He hungry again or He wants me to resume the tears. *Abeg, leave that matter for Matthias. Sorry, I don’t want to appear disrespectful, but I would appreciate it if we do not have this conversation. Thank you!” As she storms off.
●
“I warned you o! I warned you o!” rolling from one end of the room to the other, “but you and your God would not listen and leave me alone. Now you have taken him away.”
“I told you not to trust them Agatha, but you won’t listen to me. See what you have done to yourself, to us.” Olu winced in pain and grieved with unseen tears as most men do.
“God, you didn’t tell me this would happen”, Pastor Matthew muttered under his breathe trying to appear calm on the outward. “And now you haven’t said anything, surely, You must have Your reasons”, he soliloquized. (Clearing his throat) “Emmm, excuse me,” he spoke up so she could hear him above her wailing. “I need to be alone with the child and pray.
“Me, I will not allow you go from this house today o! I bin tell you sey leave me as I dey, una no gree hear”, Agatha reeled out in one breath. Olu shook his head and watched with sadness as he had seen her like this before in their younger years – whilst they waited for a child. She’d often forget that she went to the best schools in England and go off on a tangent in Pidgin English especially when in anguish.
●
Ayomide! Ayomide!! Ayomide!!! She screamed not knowing if to hug her son, pick him up, dance or roll on the floor. Her joy knew no bounds as she hurried out of Pastor Matthew’s room almost forgetting to say thank you.

2nd Kings 4: 8-37

*Word in Yoruba: My husband
*Words in Pidgin English: Please, leave that matter alone
I told you to leave me alone, but both of you wouldn’t listen!

Picture courtesy: http://rapidlikes.com/best-quotes-on-hope/

© Frances Kelvin Otung. All rights reserved