Let's look at these two scenarios:
The first one
Kate sat on the edge of the couch, eyes low, fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress.
“I wasn’t able to make a video of most of the things our lecturer asked us to get on camera yesterday,” she mumbled.
Her husband Tade, sitting across from her, furrowed his brows. “What about the phone I got you last week?” “I couldn’t use it there.” “Uhm… why, if I may ask?” Kate hesitated, then sighed. “C’mon, T, everyone was using an iPhone. I was ashamed to bring mine out, besides, the camera quality would never match up to theirs.”
Tade gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “Would never match up? Kate, the camera on that phone is one of the best you can find on any Android. You know what we had to sacrifice so I could buy you that phone. Your school fees had just been paid too. We could have gone higher, sure, but I did my research. That was a good buy.”
She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. “Well, it’s still not an iPhone. I already ordered one.” Tade stared at her. “Ordered what, please?” “An iPhone, of course. You don’t expect me to keep collecting recorded videos from my coursemates, do you?” He straightened, his voice coming out in a whisper. “Please don’t tell me you used the money I think you used.” Kate was silent. He looked at her, stunned, his thoughts racing.
They had a project in hand. Their house rent had become too expensive and they had agreed to buy one of the houses that a friend of his had agreed to sell to them at a lower price because of their relationship with him.
They had been saving up for it, her contribution being less than 40% of the money. His friend had gotten promoted at work and needed to relocate to Canada, the reason he had put it up for sale, and now this action from her? She had really taken it too far this time.
Two weeks passed. Two weeks of cold, silent distance between them. The laughter had died down, the warmth faded. The iPhone hadn’t just cost money, it had cost them a good part of their relationship.
The Second Scenario
I walked into the room and met my friend eating. She was also avoiding my gaze. “I would have been shocked if you had been able to look me in the eye Anna,” I said. “Jola was telling me about your engagement party coming up on Friday. I looked like a fool, Anna. To think that we’re not just friends, but sisters living together in the same room, eating from the same plate, and yet I never knew anything about this? It’s alarming. We've been praying about this issue of a spouse together. So, what happened?”
Anna kept eating silently. Don't tell me it's who I'm suspecting.” I leaned forward, hoping she'd look at me. “You said yes to Daniel? Are you serious?” Anna looked up at me this time.
“Esther, see... there’s nothing really wrong...” “Stop it!” I cut her off. “Don’t even complete that statement. There’s nothing wrong with getting married to someone you know is a chronic womanizer because he’s been showing you some affection here and there?”
Anna dropped her spoon and sighed. “Okay, fine, Esther. How am I supposed to go to a gathering organized by my former classmates and be the only single one there? Most of them are married, girl. They’ll say, ‘After everything, keeping herself and all, she’s still here.’ How do you think I’ll look?” At least, let me be engaged.
“Then don’t go there, Anna. Your relationship with God, and how long you’ve waited on Him, is more important than what anybody thinks. We’ve waited too long on God to now walk into the devil’s trap with our eyes wide open, girl. C’mon!”
Anna didn’t say a word. She just kept staring at the plate of food in her hands.
# Fiction
Dear Bro/Sis,
In a world where everyone seems to be “arriving,” it’s easy to feel left behind. The pressure to belong, to fit in, or to prove a point can be overwhelming, so much so that it may tempt you to compromise your relationship with God just to gain temporary acceptance.
But let’s pause and remember: you are unique, intentionally crafted by a loving God. When you start chasing validation at the expense of your walk with Him, you risk forgetting the goodness He’s already shown you, the prayers He has answered, the doors He has opened, the battles He has fought for you and other wonderful things He has done for you.
Also remember that what God has given you is not small; it’s part of a bigger, beautiful story He’s still writing. Trust His timing. Trust His heart. In due season, He will do more than you can ask or imagine.
All will be well eventually...
The first one
Kate sat on the edge of the couch, eyes low, fingers fiddling with the hem of her dress.
“I wasn’t able to make a video of most of the things our lecturer asked us to get on camera yesterday,” she mumbled.
Her husband Tade, sitting across from her, furrowed his brows. “What about the phone I got you last week?” “I couldn’t use it there.” “Uhm… why, if I may ask?” Kate hesitated, then sighed. “C’mon, T, everyone was using an iPhone. I was ashamed to bring mine out, besides, the camera quality would never match up to theirs.”
Tade gave a short, disbelieving laugh. “Would never match up? Kate, the camera on that phone is one of the best you can find on any Android. You know what we had to sacrifice so I could buy you that phone. Your school fees had just been paid too. We could have gone higher, sure, but I did my research. That was a good buy.”
She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. “Well, it’s still not an iPhone. I already ordered one.” Tade stared at her. “Ordered what, please?” “An iPhone, of course. You don’t expect me to keep collecting recorded videos from my coursemates, do you?” He straightened, his voice coming out in a whisper. “Please don’t tell me you used the money I think you used.” Kate was silent. He looked at her, stunned, his thoughts racing.
They had a project in hand. Their house rent had become too expensive and they had agreed to buy one of the houses that a friend of his had agreed to sell to them at a lower price because of their relationship with him.
They had been saving up for it, her contribution being less than 40% of the money. His friend had gotten promoted at work and needed to relocate to Canada, the reason he had put it up for sale, and now this action from her? She had really taken it too far this time.
Two weeks passed. Two weeks of cold, silent distance between them. The laughter had died down, the warmth faded. The iPhone hadn’t just cost money, it had cost them a good part of their relationship.
The Second Scenario
I walked into the room and met my friend eating. She was also avoiding my gaze. “I would have been shocked if you had been able to look me in the eye Anna,” I said. “Jola was telling me about your engagement party coming up on Friday. I looked like a fool, Anna. To think that we’re not just friends, but sisters living together in the same room, eating from the same plate, and yet I never knew anything about this? It’s alarming. We've been praying about this issue of a spouse together. So, what happened?”
Anna kept eating silently. Don't tell me it's who I'm suspecting.” I leaned forward, hoping she'd look at me. “You said yes to Daniel? Are you serious?” Anna looked up at me this time.
“Esther, see... there’s nothing really wrong...” “Stop it!” I cut her off. “Don’t even complete that statement. There’s nothing wrong with getting married to someone you know is a chronic womanizer because he’s been showing you some affection here and there?”
Anna dropped her spoon and sighed. “Okay, fine, Esther. How am I supposed to go to a gathering organized by my former classmates and be the only single one there? Most of them are married, girl. They’ll say, ‘After everything, keeping herself and all, she’s still here.’ How do you think I’ll look?” At least, let me be engaged.
“Then don’t go there, Anna. Your relationship with God, and how long you’ve waited on Him, is more important than what anybody thinks. We’ve waited too long on God to now walk into the devil’s trap with our eyes wide open, girl. C’mon!”
Anna didn’t say a word. She just kept staring at the plate of food in her hands.
# Fiction
Dear Bro/Sis,
In a world where everyone seems to be “arriving,” it’s easy to feel left behind. The pressure to belong, to fit in, or to prove a point can be overwhelming, so much so that it may tempt you to compromise your relationship with God just to gain temporary acceptance.
But let’s pause and remember: you are unique, intentionally crafted by a loving God. When you start chasing validation at the expense of your walk with Him, you risk forgetting the goodness He’s already shown you, the prayers He has answered, the doors He has opened, the battles He has fought for you and other wonderful things He has done for you.
Also remember that what God has given you is not small; it’s part of a bigger, beautiful story He’s still writing. Trust His timing. Trust His heart. In due season, He will do more than you can ask or imagine.
All will be well eventually...
-
2
-
1
- Show all
