Life didn’t end when I lost almost $1,000 that I had been saving for my NYSC in 2025.
By God’s grace, I finished school in 2023 and returned home. In May 2024, I went back to school for my clearance, and it was incredibly difficult; it felt like everything was working against me. However, after a lot of back and forth, I managed to get it done.
When I traveled back to Uyo for my clearance, I didn't bring many clothes with me because I had planned to stay for no more than a month. It was almost time for me to go for my NYSC, but I felt a strong prompting in my spirit to stay back and do something for myself in Uyo. This didn't make much sense, as I had no clear plan for what I would do.
Thoughts kept echoing in my mind: “How would I survive alone?” I hadn't fully recovered from the four years I spent in university, especially in terms of feeding, and I was now contemplating staying back and intentionally starving myself. It felt that way because there's no place like home especially my mom’s meals.
As time went on, I discovered the company I work for now, Chaindustry. Everything seemed to unfold perfectly. After I completed my training, I was employed as a worker, and I felt fulfilled because I had always wanted this.
I also had to join the workforce in my church and dedicate myself fully there, it was so satisfying and purposeful all through. I was doing the things of God and it turned out this way, imagine I wasn't doing anything in the house of God.
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There's always this misconception about people who stay away from home to be able to live how they want, but this journey drew me closer to God.
During this journey, many of my friends and colleagues went for their service, and I was continually asked when I would be going. The pressure came from every direction—friends, acquaintances, siblings, family, even those who didn't mean me well. Most of the time, I chose to ignore them and shared only a little of my plans with those who mattered.
As the story continued, when I received my first salary, I thought, “Why don’t I save this money and use it when I go for service?” So, I began keeping it in my wallet without making any proper investments.
For almost seven months, I saved this money, along with the other funds I had accumulated separately. One day, after returning from an event, I decided to check my wallet as I usually did. When I opened it, the money appeared for a few seconds and then vanished. Initially, I thought it was a glitch because I still felt a sense of peace.
I told a few friends about it, and they tried to help me track down the person who took the money. The person was seen, but couldn't be traced for various reasons.
That night, I went to be with some friends because I was feeling terrible. I was crushed by the thought of how I had denied myself many rewards in anticipation of my future plans to avoid being stranded or worried about anything.
I cried a lot that night, even wailing, because everything I had worked so hard for had seemingly vanished into thin air.
I felt so hurt and broken that I couldn't bring myself to tell my parents, but my mom sensed something was wrong and never stopped interceding for me in her prayers. A lot of people never understood because I kept showing up everywhere.
Earlier this year, I fell seriously ill, almost to the point of losing my life, but God decided to show me mercy. However, I made many mistakes during this process, including not seeking God's direction, failing to obey His guidance, leaning on my own understanding, and walking by sight rather than by faith.
I was trying to calculate everything with my mind, and while it wasn't a bad plan, it was only thoughtful when I analyzed it or discussed it with others.
I found my healing when these words came to me from Scripture: “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing; yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” [Matthew 6:28-30 NLT]
I finally got the lead to go towards the first quarter of 2026 to register for my NYSC, I was managing, just living based on how God helps me. That didn’t eradicate my fears instantly but it made me place everything on God.
Notwithstanding, I've been able to move to this NEXT LEVEL of my life.
Even on tough days, I held on to God and His promises.
Two years later, without visiting home and choosing to be independent, despite pursuing what I believe God called me to do, I am still here because of His grace.
I may not have everything figured out, but I have learned to have incredible faith in God. Even when things don’t go as planned, I know that God is working something beautiful for my good.
This is me now who has chosen to do this with God.
I am glad God used this to teach me perseverance and self-discipline.
This is not a story of failure but one that automatically points us to how we need God.
I've made my family so proud.🥺✨🎉
Thank you, Jesus.🤍
I hope my story inspires someone out here.🫶🏼
ServingOnGodsBudget.. your handsome friend John Petra!
