A few years ago, a young struggling musician in Abuja gave a friend of mine his demo CD.
She listened to it & gave me to listen to also.
We borh believed he was talented.
She decided to help him birth his music career.
She spoke to a Senator to help the young man... π
The Senator listened to the CD & asked my friend to bring him for a discussion over lunch at 8:05 Restaurant, Wuse.
This was a talented young man in his early 20s who had been trekking around Abuja, hoping & praying for a breakthrough.
And his prayers were getting answered... ππΎ
During their discussion, he took pictures with the Senator & my friend (she was a journalist, a media consultant to a few senators, ministers & governors then) & posted on social media. He wrote, "Just had lunch with Senator XXX at 8:05 Restaurant, Wuse. I'm living the dream!" ππΏ
When they were done at the meeting, the Senator gave the young man some money- about 50k.
He was impressed with the boy's talent & sincerely wanted to help him grow.
Later that day, my friend saw his post on social media.
She was livid!
She called him: "what's wrong with you?" π‘
What is the problem with you young folks?
Why do you always seek external validation?
You're living the dream?
You want people to think eating lunch with Senators is an everyday thing for you!
You're not serious!"
She told the Senator not to bother anymore: the boy is stupid!
π
The boy begged her profusely.
She was adamant.
He came to me to help him beg her.
I asked what happened.
He told me.
I called her up, she said, "Harry, he's living his dreams, let him continue living it! I can't waste my time on that idiot!"
I couldn't change her mind... π
That was how the young man lost the opportunity.
This happened in 2013, thereabouts.
I ran into him again today.
I didn't even recognize him, but he recognized me.
He's not any better than he was when I saw him 7 years ago.
He's still looking for a break.
I felt sorry for him.
π
I imagine how his life would've panned out if he hadn't posted those pictures?
Youth,β said Bernard Shaw, βis the most beautiful thing in this world: what a pity that it has to be wasted on children!β
Youth is wasted on folks who are just too stupid to enjoy & maximise it...
π
β’ β’ β’
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She sat on the balcony, reading a novel. She just finished her first year on campus and was home on vacation. She was eighteen, living with her parents in a block of flats.
She looked down and saw the scene.
Again.
Her neighbors were going out...
The man opened the door for the wife to enter the vehicle.
She always sat at the back, in the βownerβs cornerβ, carrying their 6 month old son.
The husband slid into the driverβs seat and drove off.
This scene played out at least twice every week, and it always upset her!
That woman must be a witch! I wonder how she jazzed her husband to turn him into her driver. Wicked Jezebel! Poor man.
She would imagine ways she could help the husband exert his authority and break the evil spell the wife had cast on himβ¦
"Touch me not", Jesus told Mary.
"For I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God."
John 20:17
This was after Jesus resurrected...
I read this scripture & my imagination started roaming as it always does: I imagine Jesus as a Nigerian. I can guarantee He would have monopolized God the way our pastors do.
It's very common to hear the Nigerian Pastor say, "whatever you're going through, MY GOD will help you!"
"MY GOD will touch you today!"
"MY GOD will turn that situation around!"
It's almost always my God, my God, my God.
Jesus told Mary, MY Father, YOUR Father; MY God, YOUR God.
In other words, Mary, you & I have same access to Him!
We're on the same level relating with God!
The Psalmist wrote: "Clouds & darkness are round about Him: righteousness & judgment are the habitation of His throne."
Psalms 97:2
Imagine that: Clouds & DARKNESS are around God Almighty.
DARKNESS!
When you hear "DARKNESS", what comes to mind...?
π€
Reading further, you get to Chapter 104: "Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:"
Psalms 104:2
Here, God covers Himself with LIGHT as a garment.
So, God covers himself with LIGHT.
Yet, DARKNESS surrounds Him!
π
Scripture records in 1st Kings 8:12: "Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that He would dwell in the THICK DARKNESS."
Same Scripture records: "Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the LIGHT which no man can approach unto..."
-1 Timothy 6:16
He ran out as the pastor gave the altar call.
Everybody in the hall was stunned.
He was very popular in the neighborhood, everyone knew him as a bad guy.
He smoked, inhaled & injected everything.
He was drugs personified!
But he gave his life to Jesus that day.
When he walked into the church that Sunday morning, some people walked out.
He was trouble & they didn't want to be caught in any cross fire.
He was the center of attention.
Even the cameras were focused on him.
The pastor knew him & had been praying for him.
He was a big fish...
If he could get converted, the other small fish around would easily do so too, the pastor thought.
So, when he walked into the hall that morning, the pastor was elated!
He knew he had an opportunity to land a big one for Jesus.
He gave it his best shot- he preached with his all..
He woke up with a headache.
His head was pounding like a pestle was being used to hit it.
He checked his watch: 8am!
Ah! He'd slept for just about 2 hours.
He looked around: where am I? The room looked very unfamiliar.
He stretched out on the bed. His hand hit a head...
He froze: who is in bed with me?
He pulled the duvet: he saw braided hair.
Who is this, he wondered.
He tried gathering his thoughts.
He remembered he was in Port Harcourt for a conference.
He flew in from Abuja earlier yesterday.
He remembered he went clubbing last night...
He got drunk & returned to his hotel room.
He had no idea who this lady in bed with him was, but he was sure he came back with her from the club.
He was still very groggy, he tried going back to sleep.
The lady turned & smiled at him: "Hey, Boo."
He stared at her...