[STORY] SPOILT AT CHURCH (Episode 16)

SPOILT AT CHURCH by Bosede Fagbemi

Episode 16.

Martha dug deep into the well of Grace. She got herself drunk with the living water that can quench every thirst. Since the word of God gave the mandate for his children to rise and shine, she took God at his word and began to radiate his glory.

She was radiating the glory, as she carried the pregnancy for the remaining months. Still radiating the glory, when she gave birth to baby Testimony. She was full of glory as she engaged in trading activities, to earn what to use to care for her baby, not wanting to place unnecessary burdens on her parents. She would clasp Testimony to her back and sit patiently at a make-shift shop adjacent to a school, waiting for customers to patronize her snacks. She wasn’t ashamed of her hustle and resolved within her, that she wouldn’t allow anyone to intimidate her.

Her Mum almost blew her top, when she discovered what Martha was doing. “Are you insane?” She asked, pointing at her head. What do you want people to say about us? That you! The daughter of Prof. Aboderin, sits in front of a school to sell snacks. For crying out loud, I personally provide all you and your…need.” She dodged mentioning Testimony’s name.

“That’s the point Mum.” Martha took it up from there. “I wouldn’t want to always depend on you. Considering the fact that I even have a child, I want to fend for her and not put every burden on you. You are still bitter at me, so it won’t sound well for me to be using your money to take care of her.”

“Your Dad will not be happy if he comes back and see you doing that. It’s degrading.”

“No ma,” Martha shook her head. “It’s rather dignifying because, there’s dignity in labor.”

“Okay, okay,” her Mum raised her left hand. “I meant to discuss something with you before.”

“Yes ma.”

“As your parents, we want the best for you, even though you disappointed us. We have decided to give you another chance, but it will be conditional.”

“Okay.”

“We are willing to sponsor you abroad for your tertiary education. We feel a change of environment will do you good. We want you to put the past behind you.”

“My past is already behind me,” Martha smiled. “I have moved on with my life.”

“Not as a teenage mother selling doughnut.” Mrs. Aboderin looked at her disdainfully. “We want you to go and start a new lease of life abroad, but…”

“But what?”

“You have to give up your daughter for adoption.”

Martha turned sharply and looked at her mother as if she was seeing a stranger. She held Testimony closely to her chest, as if someone would snatch her away from her.

Mrs. Aboderin stood and held her by the shoulder. She pleaded. “It’s not a big deal. All we need to do is, look for one of the motherless babies’ homes around and make arrangement. There are always families willing to pick up babies like her.”

“But she’s not motherless. She has a mother that loves her. I will never give her up, even if it means me losing opportunities. I don’t care.”

“You can’t tag her along all your life,” her mother cried. “Give her up and live as if she never exist.”

“What you are asking me to do is wrong,” Martha replied with tears in her eye. “I will not do it.”

The discussion thus ended, with Martha determined more than ever to make something out of her life.

She gathered a neat sum and got JAMB form, since she already had a complete WAEC result. Her first JAMB score was not good enough to secure a place at her school of choice. The second attempt was better, but she wasn’t given admission. By the third time she wrote JAMB, she scored such a high point, which was unbelievable even to her.

On the day that Martha got admission into the University, she ran home to inform Mrs. Ndukwe; who collected the admission letter and danced round the compound. She released prophecies into the life of Martha and mandated her to tell her parents.

The parents were dumb founded, perplexed and shame- faced, when she told them of her admission to study Guidance and counselling.

How did you do it? How manage you were able to score a point that earned you a place at the highly competitive state University? They asked.

Martha answered them by reciting Philippians 4:13, that through Christ she can do all things.

Well, they humbled themselves enough to seek for forgiveness, for neglecting and sidelining her when she needed them. They confessed that it was their bruised ego that was pained so much that sought for revenge on her. For the first time since she was born, Prof. Aboderin carried his granddaughter, gushing over how she looked so much like him.

And another thing happened. Martha’s parents acknowledged the fact that they had all along been practicing religion without knowing Christ. Martha’s life and determination had challenged them, and they also want to start walking with Christ. They were not ashamed to request that their daughter lead them in saying the sinner’s prayer, as they gave their lives to Christ.
To Be Continued… . . .

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