OF BIRTHDAYS AND ORACLES (A TRUE STORY)
Intro:
This was meant to be a “Thank you” note to everyone who showed me love two days ago on my birthday but I am led to share a true story based on what transpired before and on that day. Be assured that I did not write or post it lightly, otherwise it would have been published earlier than now. I hesitated, prayed and agonised over the wisdom of doing this before concluding that I should.
[bctt tweet=”Birthdays are reminders that God is the source and sustainer of our lives.” username=”edithohaja1″]
OF BIRTHDAYS AND ORACLES
I was filled with thankfulness on March 21st because I added another year to the glory of God. To demonstrate my gratitude, I wrote a poem about the stage of life I am in now and how God has fought to ensure that I am still here.
(You can click on the title to read it.)
Fancying My Fabulous Fifties
But before I started working on the poem, my phone rang and a high-ranking individual in the corporate world, who is an alumnus of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where I work, was calling to wish me a happy birthday. That was right after midnight. Thereafter, it was like a bell had been rung and the calls and messages through various fora started flooding in.
[bctt tweet=”God will use anyone who is available to show you how much He loves you.” username=”edithohaja1″]
You might be wondering what is so special about receiving an outpouring of love on one’s birthday. It certainly wasn’t the first time that this was happening to me but an incident had occurred a few days earlier which had demoralised me somewhat. Someone seemed to have told lies about me and my job and I got to know of it. The fellow was contributing to the #WifeNotCook debate on social media and told a story of a female lecturer in UNN the writer claimed hated men so much she campaigned against marriage and deceived many girls.
She was also said to have victimised a female student for being friendly with a young man she liked by failing her consistently in a course and making her return as an external candidate three times till the whole department was begging her to let the girl go. The fantastic tale continued that the lecturer in question later got married after persuading young girls not to. The writer then advised that girls should marry and serve their husbands and not listen to ladies who claim to be feminists but are actually hypocrites.
What attracted my attention was that the writer was an alumnus of my department and had presented the story in a way that people would assume it happened there. As a result, it would be natural for those who are vaguely familiar with the department to assume I was the lady in question having been single for long and being friendly with some students, including males. And yes, such projections had begun to be made by a couple of readers without calling names, the joke being that DSS would come after you if you did.
I did write in my article on language use on the social media that no matter how ridiculous or vile what someone says on social media is, there will be like-minded folks who will affirm and support it. We are all living witnesses to how some Nigerians believed the All Progressives Congress, APC’s promises that it was coming to power to place the Naira on a par with the dollar, reduce pump price of petrol to forty-five Naira, etc. And they used the internet to push these fabulous ideas on behalf of the party.
(You can check that post out:
Child of God, Your Language on Social Media Matters!)
I did not want to engage this fellow and give him undeserved publicity but I did demand and get some clarification on the comment thread that he had not indicated the department and so it could be any department in UNN. But he was feeling powerful as being on social media tends to make some people feel and he and his friends continued their puerile exchanges.
That episode got me thinking: How does being single translate to hatred of men or feminism? How does a female lecturer’s friendliness with female students mean that she is stopping them from getting married? How does friendliness towards one student transmogrify into victimisation of another? (Now you see part of the reason some lecturers hate to have anything to do with students outside the classroom? But I know that one cannot effectively influence young people positively while being detached from them.)
Furthermore, how can a whole department watch a lecturer hold a student to ransom on flimsy grounds to the extent of failing her repeatedly in a course and then making her come back as an external candidate for the same course THREE times? I’m not saying such a thing is totally impossible in higher institutions but I know it is highly improbable.
What usually happens is that some students fail so many courses that they need a few years to retake them all because there is a maximum unit load for each semester. But you know the unwillingness of some people to assume responsibility for their failures. So it is that sometimes, when students do well, they say, “I made an A,” but when they fail, they say, “The lecturer failed me.”
Any fair-minded person will deduce that the writer concocted a hyperbolic and possibly completely fictitious account to buttress his point, namely, that young girls should marry and be as servile as possible to their husbands (the examples given were that they should pack their poop#o and brush their teeth if need be). But to enhance the persuasiveness of his narrative, he located it in a real setting, UNN, and claimed that he personally knew those involved giving rise to the speculation that it was in his own department.
This kind of thing is a nightmare for a child of God because many people have itching ears and like to believe that there is dirt everywhere and in everything, so arguing with them is often a waste of time. Once an accusation is levelled against someone, people jump in to castgate and condemn without pause or reflection.
[bctt tweet=”People castgate and condemn others on social media without pause or reflection.” username=”edithohaja1″]
I began to ask myself: Is this what someone gets from these students after working so hard to impart knowledge and contribute to building their character? How can someone come up with such a wicked accusation just to make a trite point? (I say this because, frankly, although human beings (including myself) err sometimes, a person would have to be totally depraved and devilish to do what the woman in the story was accused of doing.)
So a few days after this nasty experience, my birthday arrives and my students in their numbers, including those who left UNN ages ago, pour mind-blowing encomiums on me. Some may say students can be obsequious to gain good grades. To such I ask: What are those who were graduated long ago and are established doing this to gain?
Let me explain to you what happened: God knew I was unhappy because of that encounter and wanted to cheer me up, so He used those who wished me well on my birthday to do so. If you sent me a thoughtful message or a compliment, I say you were inspired to do so. You served as an oracle of God to me, yes you did!
In one of my articles, I wrote that God will use anyone who makes himself or herself available to show you how much He loves you and check out the words on the graphic below used for my poem, “My Love Awaits.” (That would be God speaking to you.)
(You may click to read these posts:
You Are Loved!
My Love Awaits – Poem)
Spontaneously and without mutual discussion or agreement, my students were downloading my pix and using them to post testimonials they’d written about me. Bear in mind that in UNN, students are currently writing their first semester exams. Some wrote without attaching pix and alumni were not left out in all of it. I was instructed to read them all and as I did, I was brought to tears.
I had modified the settings to my Facebook account such that if one tags me on something, I have to approve for it to be on my timeline. I have a very warm relationship with my students (and there are thousands of them: current and former). They tag me on a lot of their stuff and I read, like and comment when I can if need be. If I allowed it all on my timeline, it’d be hard to locate my links from edithohaja.com and fellow bloggers.
But yesterday evening, I was told to permit the specially prepared testimonials on my timeline. They were so many, I decided to share some on my Facebook page, Aunty Edith. Under normal circumstances, I’d have been embarrassed to do this but I sensed that God had spoken the truth through those overflowing praises and wanted it to be on record for who knows what other may lies have been told that I may not be aware of.
Believe me, if you felt the nudge to say something special to me yesterday, it was God and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing it because you lifted my spirits. Indeed I appreciate everyone who said even a word to me or sent a gift. And even though I wasn’t planning to celebrate, someone delivered a cake to my office.
So, thank you all a million times for being used of the Lord to encourage me and may God visit you promptly according to your needs always. May He also replenish your purses, enlarge your coasts and overwhelm you and your families with His goodness perpetually in Jesus’ name.
And if you’re working somewhere but you’re not receiving any appreciation or people are lying against you, don’t change or give up. God is keeping a record of your service and someday, He will cause your labours of love to be acknowledged and rewarded. I’ve been on this job for twenty-eight years and one thing I’ve seen over and over again is the faithfulness of God. It is your portion too if you are His child and it will defend and favour you in Jesus’ name.
[bctt tweet=”God will cause your labours of love to be acknowledged and rewarded.” username=”edithohaja1″]
Amen in Jesus’ name.
You may also wish to read these posts that offer assurances of God’s faithfulness:
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Wow! Such an amazing testimony! I wonder what people gain from defaming others. It is an open secret that you are one of the very best in the department and I dare extend it to the whole school. Do not be discouraged by the negative things people may say about you, the positive people are by far more than the negative. We are behind you, God is behind you. Praise God!
God bless you, Paulo! You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, praise God.
I’m really inspired by this. You are a woman of substance, Ma’am. God’s grace.
Abundant grace to you too in all that you do, Kelechukwu, in Jesus’ name.
I know how annoying and sad it can be to see or read such from someone who probably went through your guidance and teaching. I wonder if the person did not notice what a blessing you are, anyways no matter how nice we are or try to be there are people who wouldn’t appreciate. Recently too a friend came to tell me of a rumour with her name all over her department, she accosted the said guy saying this things and he admitted to saying them and that he is trying to get back at her and my friend began to wonder what she has ever done to the guy to deserve such, someone she has always been mere friends with.
So you see we get this type of stories everyday….. That lady wherever she is and doing well today owes you a big part of the credit cus you are a loving and impartful woman in the department. But No… they never pause, look back and appreciate instead they seat and fabricate lies. God has a way of getting back at them, he at times let’s things happen to show his glory. So now after she has said it the love shown to you on your birthday suppressed all those words. The same people who she tried to spoil their minds towards you will now see what a loving and admirable person you are with an enviable personality. Ma I just want u to know that you are loved and blessed, people like that have longed to achieve what you have but couldn’t then they chose to defame you but no matter how they try the Lord will always show himself mighty behind you…. Dont worry and Happyyyy BirthWeek once again……… #smiles#
I thank God for you, Vivian. You always show wisdom beyond your years. Glory to God for your compliments and may He bless you richly, my dear, in Jesus’ name.
I’m really displeased to hear this ma’am. How could someone cook up such a tale? The person is lucky that he didn’t mention your name. He could have been sued for defamation!
I’m really sorry ma’am! Please, be strong, be encouraged. Jesus is a better witness.
All in the name of persuading young women to cook and such like! I wonder why people think they have to pronounce on every issue and use every available means to justify their arguments. Differences of opinion can’t be erased no matter how hard anyone tries. It wouldn’t matter if it didn’t bother on reputation but a Christian’s good name is very important to him or her. I am very grateful for your encouraging words, Elizabeth! Have I ever told you that I’m proud of you? Your carriage and conduct are quite impressive for your age and being a believer, you can only get better. “The path of the righteous shines brighter and brighter….” Keep shining the light, my dear, and stay blessed and rapturable in Jesus’ name.
Ma, if you don’t know, people talk about important person and that’s why they devoted their time to discuss you. You are endowed with wisdom and special charisma that they don’t have. Earlier on, I used to think that every woman with a child is a qualified mother but now I know better that it’s not all. Some have it in their gene while others don’t, just know that you are a mother to all students in our Dept and that settles it. Let them say whatever they want, heaven knows the truth
Wow! Such wisdom from the young! God bless you richly, Emmanuel, in Jesus’ name.
Please don’t allow this to disturb you. People must talk. This should encourage you to do more. More grace to you Ma.
Amen. Thank you so much, Iheanyi! You are highly blessed in Jesus’ name.
Thank you so much for sharing this and for linking up at Counting My Blessings! I am so glad you received such a wonderful outpouring of love. A belated Happy Birthday and may the year ahead be filled with God’s blessings!
Yay! Thanks a million, Deb! I really appreciate this. More grace to you in your ministry in Jesus’ name.
Thank you for sharing this true story. I praise the Lord that He showed you this outpouring of love that you needed after this evil attack. I’ve found that some of the most hateful people actually recognize how good you are but are jealous, and as the Bible shows us in the life of King Saul who was so hateful to David, jealousy can drive people to do and say crazy things.
I personally was encouraged by your words: “God is keeping a record of your service and someday, He will cause your labours of love to be acknowledged and rewarded.”
Thank you for these encouraging words.
So glad you came by, my precious sis. I doubted the wisdom of sharing this story but after some time of prayer, I realized that many Christians are facing similar situations and might be encouraged by it. Besides, many believers are credulous. They can’t imagine that someone can get up to say something if it’s not true. They, therefore, join to criticise and condemn people on the basis of what they read online, which might very well be untrue. A rule of thumb, I feel, should be not to set oneself up as jury and judge over other people’s affairs online. There’s usually so much we don’t know about these matters. God bless you, your family and ministry in Jesus’ name.
The tendency to rebel is a character common to human nature. Some people can suppress it and others cannot. Those who cannot manifest it most when they are advised or offered counsels that fail to tally with their opinions. It may be possible that in good fate you had advised a young lady against a relationship you were very sure would end in heartbreak. But like a deaf fly that would rather follow a corpse to the grave than heed sound warning, the rebellion in the lady popped up and she saw you as meddling in business that was not yours. Surely, instead of taking the wise counsel she energised the propagation engine in a sinister manner that would paint you a bad influence. I think the incident was just a case of one rotten tomato in a basket full of tomatoes. Generations have gone through you and still keep contact with you, an indication that you couldn’t have, in any way, been a bad influence. You just have to keep up your good work. You have a mandate to mould those youth; and that is not an easy work.Issues like this are part of the price. Those who fail to listen would definitely get to learn, may be after they had left, and probably in a bitter way. I salute your boldness to share this. It indicates you are human and have feelings and so you deserve encouragement too. Kudos!
Wow, Franklin, this is so beautifully stated. Although I cannot recall any such incident, the scenario you described is quite possible. I think that people misconstrue singleness in mature ladies to mean bitterness or hatred towards men and that was the basis for the young man’s allegations. However, it’s just a generalization and people’s experiences and outlooks to life differ. It’s very easy to lump people together and stereotype them. But that is wrong. No one should pronounce on someone they don’t know personally and lying against an individual is reprehensible in any case. Thank you for keeping in touch after all these years and speaking out for me. You are among the Super Jacksonites who make me feel I have not wasted my life at UNN and I pray that the Lord will keep promoting you and your family in Jesus name.
I would have been greatly disappointed if you had recalled any incident that could have given birth to that damaging propaganda. That is because all that you did, you did out of love and desire to bring the best out of the person. All the while you have given those counsels, I can be proud about it that you never had it recorded anywhere—diary or heart—for future reference. In my days under you, we were never close. I didn’t even believe that you knew that I existed. Yet, twice you invited me to your office and advised me. I’m sure you won’t remember those moments anymore. That is simply because you did so out of motherly love. And, I am sure you must have done same to many others in my class and beyond. I want to believe that the shadow parties in that propaganda mill deliberately sought a live wire in you they could strike to cause a shock in your inner self. It might have appeared they had the last laugh, but the encomiums you received this period proved them wrong. The praises couldn’t have been faked! What would people like me stand to gain or lose should they pretend in their comments? Of course, you don’t have any of my scripts to mark anymore, you don’t have to supervise me anymore, you can’t exert authority over me any more, etc. And that is how it stands for numerous other people that found you worth celebrating this period. Be encouraged in the words of Apostle Paul in Titus 1:10 and continue in the good work you are doing among the Jacksonites. I strongly believe that you are a rare gem in that department. May not those detractors or “brood of vipers” as Jesus would say cause you to refrain from doing good. Many need you there. Please be there for them. Laugh over the matter as the ranting of foolish minds. Soon, they would fizzle like ripples in a calm pool. We are here for you! Meanwhile, I say a resounding “Amen” to your prayer and I wish you the same.
This comment is as uplifting as your last one. I’m really grateful, Franklin. Words have creative force. Thank God for folks like you that are using theirs positively: to build rather than to destroy.You are richly blessed in Jesus’ name.
Thanks dear sister, you are such a blessing to many. May Almighty God bless you beyond measures. You always encourage me with your poems though I am not that quick in reading words, but yours I do try to read coz you are always encouraging. I didn’t wish you happy birthday coz I did not see it. Happy belated birthday accompanied by Gods blessings upon your life in Jesus name Amen.
Am Doris from Nairobi kenya. Love sister
Wow, Doris, how are you? So glad to hear from you. Amen and Amen to your prayers in Jesus’ name. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. All glory to God and may His protection and favour be with you and your family always in Jesus’ name.
I like this write up a lot. It goes a long way to tell people that God works in so many ways.
I like the way you handled the accusation levelled against you. I would want to be able to do such someday.
Lol, Don Munez! You want to be at the receiving end of accusations? Don’t mind me, I know what you mean. Glory to our caring Father in heaven.
Two years ago, an allegation was levelled against a lecturer in one of the higher institutions in southwestern part of Nigeria that he was sleeping with a female student in the school. After some research was conducted later, it was discovered that the female student that was always found in the lecturer’s office was his niece but before then, he had already been sacked. In life, there are bound to be criticisms and false allegations no matter how good or bad the person is but what should make us grow is the love we have for humanity and God.
For you to have written this, I believe you aren’t discouraged by the lies. What i want to say is that you should keep on doing what you love doing, ma, and it’s my prayer that God will bless you and reward you more.
Amen and Amen. The Deacon, you are highly blessed in Jesus’ name.
very nice piece ma, people always like talking.but when they continuously talk about you just know you are important, because if you weren’t they would not be on your matter
Lol! Downside of being important, huh? Thank you for your encouragement, my dear. You’re richly blessed in Jesus’ name.
After eventually reading this (many thanks to the network providers), I ask myself; if this could happen to you that’s not even looking to meddle in anybody’s way…If someone can go out of their way to hurt your person and character, then who am I? Who are the rest of us?
God would keep lifting your head above the “devils” of our world.
Thanks for everything you’ve been to many of us.
Don’t be discouraged Ma.
Amen for your prayer and uplifting words, Dani. More grace and greater success to you than you’ve seen already in all your endeavours. Besides your job, you are a gifted event host and you write beautifully. May the Lord take you far and wide to showcase these your splendid gifts in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Like I have always commented, you are an inspiration to your generation and the younger generation… Good writeup
Also like your cake… Virtuous woman
Thanks a lot, Osmond, and glory to God! You are blessed!
Yes God is always faithful and proves so even when we may not expect. This is a soul-lifting testimony and I am sure will encourage its readers as it has encouraged me. Now I am more convinced that God always has me in mind, a very caring Father who takes every aspect of my life very seriously. May the Good Lord keep cheering up His own!
Amen. Thank you so much, Nneka! You are richly blessed in Jesus’ name.
Some people derive joy in painting other people “black” without having a rethink of the damages such act could cause on others. Just leave him to God – the Righteous Judge who sees everything, and He will fight for you.
Please ma, do not allow these false accusations to make you change your nice attitude towards your students. Continue to be that caring, loving, friendly, … aunt and mother you are to us (your students) and God will reward you greatly.
Amen. I can’t change because I don’t have the grace for that. The grace I have is to serve and I give God glory for countless young people like you who appreciate the little that one is able to do. Love you, my girl! You are a miracle now and a fantastic breakthrough in the making in Jesus’ name.
Hmmmm! I honestly feel so sorry for this young guy who obviously left all the useful things on earth to say only to think of blasphemy. I wonder whether he took little of his time to mediate on such a blessing you have been to the students of this great department. He doesn’t need to go far in searching for what can serve as evidence of such blessing. He can come to me because honestly ma, you’ve been a blessing to me beyond academic gains. you don’t need bother yourself over a ‘jealous” accusation as this. As far as I am concerned, the accusation and its user(the accuser) both have no ‘weight’ and shouldn’t weigh ‘God’s Chosen one down. For the past three years I’ve known you, I can’t even remember hearing you discourage me from anything good as such as this you are accused of here. Why will you even discourage young damsels from getting married kwanu? Thank God, you grabbed your happiness back from the enemy. Sweet Mama, may you live to witness and enjoy more glorious years to come. My utmost wish for you is that the Almighty who you have always preached about both to your students and non-students will never allow you end up in disgrace nor end a disgrace in Jesus Name, Amen!
Amen. Glory to God for young people like you who love the Lord and are focussed on things that uplift. You will keep going higher and higher in the Lord in Jesus’ name.
I over concur. “Going to church reinforces God’s love over us.” No wonder Apostle Paul in one of his tremendous teachings advised that we “should not forsake the gathering of the saints.” I’ve come to realize that a Christian gains a lot in the company of his fellow believing Christians. And what can I say about the Holy Communion? An evidence of agreement and signature that truly He died for my me. Hmmm,Thank You, Sweet Jesus, for showering me with love. Thank you ma, for blessing me. More grace, well done!
I strongly believe that people will always have something to say about the successful ones. This fellow is indeed wallowing in ignorance because your ceaseless blessings upon this department and her students can never be overemphasised. Mummy, just know that you’re a star and not even a feeble accusation from a feeble-minded fellow can stop your illumination. I really thank God for your wisdom.
People are always fast to cook up bad news about others. It gives them joy to see others judged but you shouldn’t let people like him discourage you. Continue with your good work and let them continue to talk… Happy belated birthday, ma!
Thank you so much, Henrietta! Our God reigns!
Some people just find fun in tarnishing other people’s image with lies. Am so grateful to God for proving to you that He is there for you always by making your students (including those that graduated many years ago) to pour encomiums on you.
Please ma, continue your lovely attitude towards your students and I believe God will reward you greatly.
Well, very nice. this story has indeed confirmed my thought and belief that no matter how nice you are, some people will still tag u wicked, unkind, evil for no just cause…. God has a way of proving himself to us. ma, personally I love your personality and would want to have some of your virtue, because u use your position to be of help to people. let them keep talking, God will continue to bless u because u are a blessing to many…..
Amen. Very kind of you to say, Florence! If there be anything good in my life, just pray for it and it’s yours in Jesus’ name.
I can imagine how disheartening it is trying to build a relationship with students not just for knowledge but also for impact and you are judged wrongly for it. Ma I must commend you for not giving up despite the defamation against you. You are not just a lecturer but a mother indeed. As for the person who said such untrue words about you? Karma still exists…it’s always a pleasure celebrating you. Cheers!
Thanks, my dear. I give God glory for putting me in a place where I have access to young lives that I can affect positively. It’s a privilege I don’t take lightly and I pray the Lord will help me to always use it in a way that honours Him.
Its so funny how people go about cooking up stories that they do not have facts about. One thing is sure, no matter how long it takes, truth will always triumph over evil.
Abi oh! Thank you, Evans! You are a winner in Jesus’ name.
What a story, quite sad that people could be this mean. The bright side is that God will always give his own the grace to stand firm and not be pushed around by such worthless comments. You, ma, are a living testimony. May his grace never cease in your life.
Amen. Thank you so much, Chidinma! You are blessed in Jesus’ name.
Quite touching. Ma, may God continue to strengthen you, thanks for sharing.
Wonderful piece. Thank you!
Thanks for sharing this message. I don’t know why people derive joy in painting other people bad. But the good thing is the Lord is always with you. You are a woman that is loved by all. Your friendly and humble nature is what I love most. You are not just a lecturer, but a mother, sister, and a friend to many people.
God bless you, Juliet! All glory to God! May you be fully appreciated wherever God plants you in the journey of life in Jesus’ name.
Sincerely, bit by bit I read this post and I glaringly saw the cycle of defaming others in virtually all the circles of human endeavor. Aunty, am interested in your reaction towards the said man, indeed maturity is far from certain people and wisdom has hid its face from them. Know this, you are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. More Grace to you!
Thank you Ma for sharing this experience. Success will always attract criticism and jealousy. But we must not be discouraged but forge ahead. God is our Helper.
Amen. May you see many more years.
No matter what, people must like or hate you.
Also, there’s bound to be criticism as long as one exists. If you aren’t talked about, it then means your life is worthless in your environment.
So far so good ma, keep the fire blazing.
It’s just sad that people gain happiness from defaming people. But God knows best and sure knows how to fight for His own
People must always talk, you are such a blessing ma.
In the voice of Terence Howard: people will say whatever just to have something to say. The best we could do is not giv them that “undeserved publicity” they seek, by responding to their blatant banter.
U are important in the life of many. that I know. people will always have something to say. God bless and keep you ma
Defamation of a person is not funny and should not be treated leniently.. but just so you know Ma, you are my best lecturer and i pray God continues to keep you.
No matter how good you are, people must criticise you. All we need to do is to ignore them and move on with our lives. It also happened to Jesus.
I love birthdays so much because they remind me of God’s unwavering love and grace. God does not love us because we are lovable or because we deserve His love.
Some people will always try to tarnish one’s image. The attempt at you is a plus Ma. I say this because people like that do not find a bad image worth tarnishing. Such attempt at you simply makes your good nature even more obvious. Maybe such people want to be like you, but since they cannot, they want you to go down and stay down with them. They should keep fantasizing, while you keep making us proud here Ma.
so sorry you had to experience such but i appreciate God who gave you the strength to come out strong. you are really a blessing and an inspiration. the shallow minded ones will always come but pay no heed to them. because he that has called you is greater than any story they may try to cook up. remain blessed Ma.
wow, it is really a wonderful testimony. that is God’s doing. He lifts one from grass to grace. I pray to God to add more many years to you. At the same time, I want to say happy birthday, good mummy.
Thank you so much, Chika! I pray that God preserves and promotes you too in Jesus’ name.
I love your perseverance (you didn’t stoop low to the level of those accusing you). Good one ma!
The truth is that no matter how good one is, people will always say something about the person, either negative or positive thing or even both, ever since friends who smile with you, can talk lowly of you when you are not around, how much more the foes, but that should not change us. God bless you ma.
The undeniable fact is that people tend to talk about you when you are ahead of them. The fellow in the story was clearly looking for a way to weigh you down, little does he know you are a shining star that will never be hidden. You are a blessing to the department and no cooked up story will ever change how we see or think of you. You are blessed, Ma.
This is very kind of you, Chiamaka! You are lifted in Jesus’ name.
It is quite obvious that when someone’s stars start to blossom, many bad belles tend to arise. you’ve got nothing to worry about as their blabbing ends up promoting you. You equally have to know ma’am that unfounded tales worth no attention from anyone let alone a caliber of your status.
Really inspiring and touching. don’t make this weigh you down ma, God is always with you. love you ma
Thanks a lot. Love you back, my dear! You will be celebrated by your peers and elders in Jesus’ name.
Ma, I want you to know that as a human being, everything you do people must talk either good or bad. They have seen the light shining in you and want you to make it die down by getting angry at what they say. Ma, I want you to see it as a challenge and take it up to yourself to continue to shine on, be strong and move on with the good work. God bless you.
Wow, beautiful words of encouragement. Thank you very much and God bless you splendidly, Jemita!
hmm.. human beings can be so ungrateful sometimes, but its nothing new the world is evil we just have to pray against temptations that might make us offend God.
People must surely say good or bad about you and you should never take it to heart. Rather, make it a good stepping stone to aim higher and preparatory test for the Future ahead.
To be successful in life one must face many challenges, ma I will say that this is one of the challenges but I know you are too strong for the devil to weigh you down God has made you a conqueror. May Gods light keep on shining in your life.
Ma, if you ask me, I will say that you were being tested to know how strong your faith is in the Lord. Remember our Lord Jesus was put to test, not to talk of us humans. You must know that you cannot please everybody no matter how hard you try. (So ma, pepper them gang) meaning make them more jealous of you because you are a blessing to our department.
Opposition and persecution await every good person. Continue loving and guiding the young. Do not take the views of those who defame you into your heart. I wish you many more fruitful years. May God grant you more favours.
Frankly, no good person pleases everybody. Whenever you are on the right track, some persons must be displeased just as in the case of our Lord. I thank God for His blessings on you. May His queue of blessings never omit you.
God works in many ways because if not for God you would not know how to handle the accusation but he knows the best.
NO matter what what you do on this earth people must complain and criticise you. Some people usually drink paracetamol for another person’s headache. No matter how good you are, people must complain. But Ma, I love your faith.
A really touching story. We should really mind our words outside and also we should learn from other people’s experiences. As a matter of fact, people will surely say bad things about you even if you are a good or bad person but we should remember that to be successful in life, we will encounter challenges and we should conquer them. These are things we should do as a Christian.
Ma, I want you to know and to understand that anything one is doing in this life, many are happy while others are not happy. Please ma, keep on teaching us because God has really blessed you with wisdom. Please be the best of who you are always.
Your experience is really encouraging, though i feel or rather, i hope i end up like you, with a good job and a happy life. God has blessed you and you deserve it!
one thing about life is that some choose to be happy when one is progressing while others choose not to. But once God says YES, who are they to say No? Ma, you are indeed a virtuous woman. this is bcos it is written all over you. Nice one
I honestly clicked on this by accident and now am so glad i did. You’ve encouraged me to continuing good and to always keep my hands clean, and let God fight my battles.
This is a very touching story ,no matter how good you are people must always try to paint you bad.
Am greatly encouraged by your actions. You are really a woman with a golden heart …Keep it up ma…God bless you!
The person that fabricates that lies is an enemy of progress. I do not know why people take pleasure in character assassination.
Hmmm, what a touching true story, that is why it is good to be nice always and everywhere to people around you because it is the weapon to put those who want your downfall to shame. This story is so encouraging, I love it.
As Christians, most of the time we want to keep a clean plate and build the best character but even Jesus to some people did not have the clean plate. He was the son of the Holy One and yet people accused him of carrying false teaching and been hypocritical. Human beings are insatiable and life is too short to sit down and feel bad about what someone that may not even know what your voice sounds like thinks. In as such as the bible says to be at peace with all men, it also says may the mind which was in Christ Jesus be in you and that mind includes not minding what people say or think but trying to please and do the will of God here on earth. Don’t worry about those who talk behind your back. They are behind you for a reason.
What you passed through tells us that God knows when we pass through difficult situations and the love you received on your birthday explains that God knows when we are sad or happy and in your state at that time, He knew you needed comfort and He gave it to you at the appropriate time. On your birthday.
This story is so cool. I love it.
This is a good testimony to shame the devil. We should have it at the back of our minds that for a successful person to grow, there must be people who would either say good things or tarnish the person’s image. In whatever we do, we should make sure that our hands are clean because God will fight for us in due time just as He did for you, Ma. They have seen the light of God in your life and want to stop it, but they don’t know it is unquenchable. Keep the good work going, Ma.
The truth remains that you are a child of God and whoever tries to cause mischief using your name will not get away with it. God always fights for his children, so rest assured,
Hmmm such a touching story. The lord is your strength
The sky is your limit ma, the Lord will always be with you, just keep striving hard.
Ma,for someone to please everybody in the society he or she must be icecream seller because a good person cannot please everybody in the society especially when it comes to something that pleases God.But as far as you are with God,you must surely conquer all of them.
the peace and love of God can come from anyone, nice true story Ma.