DUST TO DUNGHILL? #2 (SHORT STORY)
“You know the saying, ‘When it rains, it pours.’ It seemed that more problems lay ahead. … Chizaram was bewildered. Could it be she didn’t hear from God? Instead of moving into a throne of glory as the scripture she received promised, she seemed to be moving from the dust to the dunghill. What exactly was going on?”
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Intro:
In the first segment of this story, a young woman, Chizara, comes out from her morning Bible reading feeling rapturous because of a promise she believes she received from God. But contrary to her expectations, things begin to go haywire for her and her family. This second segment shows how everything eventually turns out.
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DUST TO DUNGHILL? #2
Upon their return, Nnaa refused to go to school again. He would kick up a fuss every morning insisting he wanted to go to DeLores’. Chizara always managed to force him into his uniform and escort him and his sister to their decrepit kindergarten. However, on one fateful day (two weeks later), he was so determined to resist that Chizara nearly fell in the struggle and she cuffed him on the ears. Nne, who often watched the two in amusement, got angry and tore her frayed uniform in sympathy with her twin.
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“You children will not kill me this morning,” Chizara declared and went to borrow a needle and thread from a neighbour to salvage the mess.
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Seeing that his sister got off without a smack, Nnaa tore his school shirt too and dropped the shorts in their half-full potty. When Chizara came back and saw what her son had done, she became wary, reasoning that the devil might be planning a tragedy if she insisted further. She therefore let the twins be, wondering why everything was going topsyturvy in her life.
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You know the saying, “When it rains, it pours.” It seemed that more problems lay ahead. That evening, Obum came back shortly after resuming work with a sack letter in his hand. The expatriate manager of the facility where he worked, who had just returned from a two-month vacation abroad, said his request for leave was not approved before he left and that he was not even entitled to three weeks which he had spent. Obum’s explanation that his supervisor said he could leave, that the application was a mere formality and his plea for the manager to deduct whatever he deemed fit from his next paycheck fell on deaf ears.
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The next day, Obum rejected Chizara’s advice to go back and beg the manager again. Rather, he told her he was fed up and they would leave for the village later in the day, for good. Using the half salary the company gave for his services in the preceding two weeks, he made arrangements with a brother in the church who owned a commercial bus to move them down by 3 p.m.
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Chizaram was bewildered. Could it be she didn’t hear from God? Instead of moving into a throne of glory as the scripture she received promised, she seemed to be moving from the dust to the dunghill. What exactly was going on? She ran to their church and told their pastor of the latest developments. He too was baffled and wondered why Obum would take such a crucial decision without consulting him. He, however, prayed for journey mercies for them and asked her to find a Bible-believing church her family would be attending once she got to the village.
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Chizara was disappointed! The man of God had no word of comfort for her, nothing to clear the confusion or reinforce her faith.
“Eeh, Jehovah! I no kwadi n’igwe eh? I gbara nkiti k’ihere mee mu n’ ezi n’ulo m? Gbata nu osu bia nyere m aka. Papa ime elu igwe, atukwasiri m gi obi. Agharipulanu m oh! Meere nu nwa gi ebere. Jehovah! ….” (“Eeh, Jehovah! Are you still in heaven? Are you keeping quiet so that my family and I will be put to shame? Father in heaven, I put my trust in You. Do not disappoint me! Do be merciful unto Your child! Jehovah! ….”)
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Chizara didn’t care what anybody thought. She continued wailing and praying loudly as she went home.
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But if God was listening, there was no sign of it. So they packed to the village as scheduled. The children loved it: playing with their cousins, climbing trees and eating fruits they had never seen before. Obum got a little money sometimes from labour jobs he could get at construction sites in the nearby town while Chizara did the same from weeding people’s farms. Later, they got their children into the Community Primary School which was just a playgound since the teachers hardly showed up. They also did some subsistence farming.
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In the midst of all these, Chizara got pregnant and had a baby girl whom she called Okwuchi (word of God). It made no sense to her husband because the baby’s birth was not prophesied but Chizara explained that the full name was “Okwuchi g’emezu” meaning “The word of God will be fulfilled”. Obum respected his wife’s faith, so he said, “Amen”.
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One Thursday evening, about fifteen months after Okwuchi was born, the village erupted in jubilation. News had come that a protracted land dispute between them and a neighboring village had been finally resolved in their favour. Obum wondered why the villagers were screaming about gaining some hectares of land.
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A few weeks later, some people approached the elders of the village to purchase the land for building a university. The villagers resolved they would be better off selling the land than getting into another tortuous case over it in future. Negotiations began and in less than two months, money had changed hands. Obum was never part of the process because he was too busy eking out a living for his family.
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But when the money was shared, the formula used was to give a lump sum to each family to split among its sons as it deems fit. Since Obum was his father’s only son, he alone received three million naira. When he ran home and told Chizara, she thought he was mad! But when he showed her the cheque, she broke down and cried.
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Obum opened a current account with a nearby bank and lodged in his cheque. Right now, he is making inquiries on where to purchase welding equipment and on workshops to let in Okigwe, the closest big town. That is where they plan to live and get their kids into high-quality schools.
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Chizara is toying with the idea of completing her O’levels, at least, before looking for a shop but that would have to wait because she’s in the family way again and the scan shows she’ll have another set of twins. She plans to name them Ocheze (Throne) and Ebube (Glory), for God, in His faithfulness, is making good His word to take them from the dust and the dunghill to a throne of glory!
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-The end-
Ⓒ Edith Ugochi Ohaja 2016
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Sometimes, Bcos we’ve clearly heard God say He would do some good thing for us, we tend to help him actualise it. So we begin to search for things that are close to shooting us into God’s promise thinking it’s the way…but God has a different plan. Never ever try to help God..He doesn’t need ur help. Haven’t u heard He’s a jealous God who never shares his glory. He wants it all to himself…so leave it alone… He’ll handle it ALONE!!!
Beautiful contribution. Thank you!
Awwwwww! I love, love love this! Trusting God’s words may seem daunting and herculean at times, but he never fails, and even though it may tarry, God’s promises will always be fulfilled, ALWAYS!
“Okwuchi g’emezu” remember this always… Thanks
happy ending!.. God bless you ma
to god be the glory
wow…his word shall come to pass…thus says the lord thy GOD…don’t give up on GOD because he wont give up on us…
God’s plans for His children are of good and not of evil
Indeed, they are.
this is a very wonderful write up that shows that no condition is permanent and also that whatever God says must come to accomplishment.no wonder a bible passage says that weeping may last for a night but joy comes in the morning.her faith really saw her true.
I love that scripture!
God’s time is the best
Indeed.
Okwuchi g’emezu for real…
Wonderful name.
wonderful ending
Praise God!
don’t give up on God cos he won’t give up on us. his will, would always be made manifest in our lives!
Very true!
we should believe that no condition is permanant
have faith in God always
The end shall be better than the beginning
Awwwn! Nice post
Jesus a suprizi’gho nwaya, with many many blessings. nice story.
at times, God delays but never deny
no condition is permanent, nice write up
hope for the hopeless
Amazing
One thing we have to remember in life is that trying times are always a stepping stone to greater heights.
The watch words are: Faith , Focus and perseverance…. Interesting story, more like Nigerian movie …cheers!
you know,at times it seems that all are closed down and there would be no redemption—–that’s our thought as mere mortals—-oh dear. Not of him that willeth nor of him that runneth but of the Lord that showeth mercy.
wao!what an amazing story,sometimes in life God tries nd weighs our faith by subjecting us to some trials, circumstances nd hardship
very creative ma
really good
Wow………its really creative and inspiring. well done ma
God is faithful
He will never fail those who put their trust in him. very educative
God never disappoints his children
God is a miracle worker….
Chizaram mistake in the past was in the past and thank God she knew it after the problems between she and her husband. accepting Jesus as our lord brings peace to our lives and home.
He is GOD forever!
with God all things are possible
Truly, God doesn’t fail His people becauseHis words are true
Truly, God doesn’t fail His people because His words are true.
I really love this story, behind every cloud in the sky there is a beautiful sliver line, no matter what one is going through there is one thing that is sure his words(Gods) his promise he shall fulfill no matter how long it takes it shall come to pass
True!
Yes oooo. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Gods plans for our life is always the best because he knows the perfect time, place people and circumstances.
Sounds like a quotable quote. Cheers!
Affirmation of my former comment
Thank you ma
Bless you, Gift!
God will always be God, He can never say a thing that will never come to pass. instead heaven and earth will pass away… What a nice story I really enjoyed it…
Isn’t God just good? Faith, patience and persistence matter. That’s what I learnt from this story.
They that wait upon the Lord shall be like mount Zion. The Lord really is good. Nice piece, ma!
God will make a way where there seems to be no way.. When all hope is lost. That is when God comes to perform his miracle.. Just see how 3 million Naira came to obum just like that.. Is good no really a faithful God. Have faith in him and he will never let you down….
Things are getting worst by the day, could it be that God wants to stretch their faith. But this is quite to the extreme.
What is written is written. My God is faithful and he is in charge!!! You can fire him but he will never retire. Halleluia.
Sincerely, there are times when we ask -wher God? Has he abandoned us?…. But ‘behold, I’m with you till the end of the age’. That’s his assured presence.
Truly God is faithful and He blesses His people at His own appointed time. He has finally blessed Obuna’s family and i’m happy for them. The days of suffering has gone.
I said it that God works in mysterious ways!!!! Glory to Him for this amazing victory!!! He would lift you up from the ashes and make you a worldwide recognition. His name alone be praised. He is Ekwueme!
God work in mysterious ways, he has his own way of doing things, that is why it is important to be patient with him, to believe and trust in him.
I am so happy for this family, they have suffered a lot especially chinaza, well thank God things later turn out to be fine at the end, I love this story.
Truly God never fail his people. He made us to understand in his word that he (God) Honours his word more than his name all you got to do is just believe and trust him…Thank God Chinaza knew that and she stuck to it.
Feel like dancing right now! He indeed fulfilled his word. I’m so happy for Chizaram and the fact that she weathered this storm with her husband shows how much of a faithful woman she is. God has rewarded her for her faith and patience. May his name be praised!
They that put their trust in God shall never be ashamed, though it might seem that nothing is working at the moment wait for itGod has never fail and cannot start now to do so….. so happy for the Obum family if only we can exercise a little faith when we are faced with such set backs then the results will be great. Chizara please your children are enough now, you should concentrate on bettering yourself and that of your family.
At last, Gods word was fulfilled. Truly, God never sleeps or slumber, just when you think that all hope is lost, God would show up in an extraordinary way. Indeed, God works in mysterious ways and we should have faith in him because he would never disappoint.
wow.. God’s word never fail. All things work together for good to them that love Him… God proved Himself! This is a lesson for all of us, things may turn out wrong even amidst your assurance that it is well and will be well. It’s a test of faith. God has said it, He will surely do it! It’s just a matter of time… Inspiring, encouraging piece… More grace Ma
Chizaram knew that when the storms of life are raging, God must stand by her and with such understanding, she never gave up.
God never fails. His words shall come to pass. His plans for his children are of good and not of evil. Thank God for chizaram.
We should also always remember to go for counseling from matured and experienced Christian Ministers of the like precious faith. It helps too.
Wow! God does things in mysterious ways , he has fulfilled her promise to his people by lifting chizara and her family up from grass to grace, may all thanks be to the lord.
I knew it. I knew that God never abandons his people no matter what. He only let’s things happen so that they appreciate him more or so that they learn a lesson but once they cry to him, he never abandons them.God is faithful always.
The Lord is good all the time. I so much admire chizaras fAith despite God’s seeming abandonment. The lord looked down heard her cries had mercy on her and answered. Holy is his name. This shows us that faith is everything. God works in miraculous ways,even if it seems like he is slow,he still does it at his own time and pace
The end is always smooth but the big question is ” how many of us will endure and journey to the end” Oh lord, give us the grace to stand forth especially in difficult situation so that we will not speak and act out of annoyance and condemn you rather for us to see your better plans for us amen.
Time:
Wow! Amazing! You know God often have three ways of responding to His children request- He can say yes, meaning He has answered your prayers, He can also say no, meaning that He has not answered your prayer or that He will not answer it and finally He may say wait, meaning I have heard you but this is not the right time to answer, you need to wait for the proper time. In this case I God heard Chizaram but the answer was wait. Some times if that grace of waiting is not in us, we can make some rash decisions and make mistakes. Thank God for the Couple. Chizaram is quite different from the initial lifestyle of Bruno’s Mother as we saw in “Talking To My Imaginary Real Friend” and Ifeoma in “Two Homes To None”. She is a good wife.
That’s miraculous work of God. When all hope seems to be lost, that is when He brings hope to its fullest. Thank God for chizara and obum’s life.
God always have his ways of doing things. He can never disappoint.
Reading your short stories any day is a pleasure because you are so crafty with words and employ suspense in a way that awes the reader. This woman’s faith was at work and she held on to the word of God and it came to pass in her life. More inspiration ma.
Hallelujah!!!
Just like I expected, I know God was rewriting their story.
Chizara believed that lines would fall in pleasant places for them but she thought it’d happen immediately after the revelations she had.
The point I’m taking home from this story is that God allows us to pass through some phases in life before coming through for us. Perhaps the various phases would make us appreciate him better when he intervenes.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful story MA.
When i ask myself why did God come now, but I understood that God comes he wants to come to salvage, even when things to be worst than its beginning that was what chizaram was experiencing
God’s time is the best. Had it been that things worked out so simple and easy as Chizara had thought. I don’t think they would have value the money, but God had to test their faith by making things more difficult for them and now they have reason to glorify him for he has lifted them from pit to palace, from grass to grace, and now they have inherited the throne of glory.
As a faithful servant like Chizara, she believed in God that he will surely remember her family even though it took a lot of time but he finally came and turned things around for their good. Glory to God!
Chizara’s faith was at work and she held on to it not withstanding the challenges she and her family faced after the dream. Thank God for her faith because it was a source of strength and encouragement to her during this trying period and may the name of the Lord be praised both now and forever for uplifting them in his own time.
A winner is someone who gets up one more time than he is knocked down. Obum and chizara are winners. Thank you Ms for this wonderful srory
God never fails. His promises are sure. He fulfilled his promise to chizara. Praise God! I wish to have faith like hers! This is a lovely story mum!
What a beautiful ending.
Their yesterday gas finally become a story to tell.
To God be the glory.
God is never asleep, He answereth His children,just like her name portraits “Chizara” #the Lord answered.
Hallelujah! God is faithful, He never allow those who put their trust in Him to be disappointed. What a divine turnaround, the Lord is good.
Glory to God!
Okwu Chi ga emezu.
Chizara’s faith spoke for her. She never stopped trusting in God and eventually God proved again that he never forsakes those who trust in him even in hard times..