It is easier said than done.
It is easier to talk than to do. Should I tell you a truth that you would doubt a little bit but still holds true.
At some point, ninety percent of us have said something, even advised a thing and at the end unintentionally or even intentionally we did another thing.
Mr. Ojo as he preferred being called but he was a pastor of the biggest local church in Umuakuru community in Imo state.
If I have ever met a person who was a Christian and behaved like Jesus both in speech and did, Mr. Ojo was him.
People joined the church just because of his character. He helped the poor, even when it was obvious he was in a bind. He had been an angel to a lot of families.
The church became a sanctuary for everyone.
Mrs. Adanna who was one of the most cheerful members of Mr. Ojo's church lost her husband. It was a huge hit to the church and especially to Mr. Ojo because he was a vital part of every Sunday service.
Her husband wasn't a regular attendee of the church given the fact he traveled a lot. But whenever he was in town, he made sure he was in church even on Wednesday service. No matter where he was in the country, his money always made it back home and the church too.
His death was a huge blow. Mr. Ojo came with some of the church elders to console her.
"Mrs. Adanna, you have to be strong, God cannot give us anything we cannot handle. This is the time to hold God stronger than ever. Be closer to him."
Everyone respected Mrs. Adanna because in the midst of the pain she never neglected her duties at the church.
Fastforward three years later.
Mr. Ojo's wife got into an accident and unluckily didn't make it out alive.
It was a painful moment for Mr.Ojo. His pain became the pain of the community. It was said that even the king came to pay condolence visit.
You would never understand me, unless you've walked a mile in my shoes.
To take the same advise he had given different families was really different.
He had said the words be strong so much that it meant almost nothing to him when it was his turn.
His message from the pulpit changed. It was obvious the pain had affected his messages.
This went on for months, it was obvious that most people still sat in church because they were loyal to the old Mr. Ojo.
Well some members had left the church because, the new Mr. Ojo was very hurt and angry with life. All the messages he had preached, it was time to live them out but he seemed to be failing each test.
The truth of the matter is that nobody came to him to tell him about the sudden change they had noticed.. Maybe because they felt it was a phase and he would come back to the Mr. Oho everyone really loved.
A month turned to two and two to three and it seemed he was even getting worse by the day.
Mrs. Adanna knew she had to stop this no or he would get to a point he couldn't turn back.
"Mr. Ojo, when I lost my Husband, you told me that from the pain I should develop a stronger bond with God. At first I thought you wicked because it seemed you didn't understand the pain. It was like losing a part of yourself. But because you were my pastor and I trusted you, I took your advise. After my husband died, that was when I deepened my relationship with God. He made it very bearable for me."
She sat beside him in his sitting room after the Sunday service. "Let me give you back the advise you gave me. Losing your wife is like losing a part of you. Now, the way you react to it depends totally on you. This is the opportunity for you to hold God."
She stood up and left him sitting there alone. He cried till his eyes couldn't release any tear again.
The next Sunday, Mr. Ojo climed the altar.
Everyone's eyes weren't on him because as usual they expected the same line of sermon he had going in for three months.
"When I told some of our wives and husbands here to endure the pain of losing their loved ones. I never really understood what I was saying because my parents died at a ripe old age. Though their death was painful but at least they saw their grandchildren before going. I finally understand what it means now. I have been a hypocrite for this long not knowing what people felt but thinking and claiming I did. But let me tell you something that would help you because the first time I said it, I never really understood it till a friend of mine said it right back.at me.
When you are in pain, it is the best time to know God. Let the pain guide you towards him and not away from Him."
Everyone in church smiled because they knew that finally Mr. Ojo was back
.
