One of the ideas mentioned in this prompt struck me, and I decided to settle on that as my response to this prompt.
When I finished my NYSC, after serving as the head of the Christian group in the local government, I returned home with the mindset of implementing morning and night devotions in my family house, just the way we had them compulsorily as part of our lifestyle during NYSC. I wanted to introduce that and hopefully have my family adopt and adapt to it, because it wasn’t something we were, and still are not, used to. But if I did that, how would everyone cope? It would be very awkward, and there was the possibility of lack of continuity, because the lifestyle of morning and evening devotion can be very demanding.
Sorry to say, I didn’t want to be laughed at if it failed or lacked continuity. I’m sure my siblings would have used that as a “killer point” anytime we wanted to banter. So after a series of thoughts, I decided to let go and discarded the idea from my mind. Even in my personal devotion, I couldn’t just continue.
Anytime I come across posts, articles, or people talking about family devotion, I feel envious of them. I want that to happen in my family too, but it hasn’t been our thing, and starting it at this late stage would be very tasking. The families who are doing it, I must give them a round of applause because they’ve been sacrificing a lot to keep it going.
On the other hand, after the NYSC and the compulsory lifestyle of morning and evening devotion, I felt like I was freed. Those days were very demanding, I must say. Even at this moment, I don’t think I can go back to that lifestyle again. I prefer the way I’ve been doing it—appreciating God inwardly every morning and every night.
The Influence: During the time of my service year, it was a big burden to me because that culture wasn’t present in my family home. Even though I was the leader of the group, it was a heavy sacrifice for me to always be available and to motivate others so that the group wouldn’t fall apart. Honestly, there were a lot of people like me, and I had to appear as if I was ahead, so as not to make them feel demotivated.
Also, there were people who found the devotion lifestyle very easy, and those people motivated me too to keep going. I’m not into the loud morning and evening devotions today because it wasn’t what we had, and still not what we have, in my family house.
Thanks for reading.
