My Loving Lover; Episode 4

 FOUR

Sharon had been a teenage counselor for years now. She has an organization that has the vision of winning children, teenagers and women to Christ. And the Lord had favoured her and her team in carrying out this assignment successfully. This had been a burden she had since secondary school. With her years of experience with this assignment, she is amazed at how parents take teenagers for granted or say they are too busy to listen to their petty talks. She had come to realize that there is nothing petty about teenagers: their fears, ambitions, doubts, adventures, admirations, complains, and passion. 

Last week, a teenage girl of about sixteen years old opened up to her of how her father had been sleeping with her for the past two years. She already had two abortions for him. And anytime she tries to bring up the matter with her mother, it is either that she had gone on a business trip, or has an 'owambe' party with her old friends, or says she wants to rest. This hideous act had been going on right under her nose for good twenty four months. The girl had entered into depression. Before coming for counseling, she had made up her mind to kill her father with her own hands; slow poison so he could suffer before he finally dies or she stab him with the kitchen knife that they use in the house to cut a whole chicken into pieces. She was planning to stab him in his pelvis so she can relish his pain and agony, the same he had caused her, then she would finally kill herself by jumping down her window which is quite a number of feet to the ground. With that, she would fall to her death, and it will be fast.

 That day, Sharon was shocked to the bones hearing what the young girl said. She was one of the top ten in her class, but had started dropping when her her father started the hideous act with her. Now, she could not even enrol for her SSCE  because her performance at the qualifying exam for the registration was too low. She would have to wait for the next year to write with the next batch of students.

Sharon had counseled the girl, and prayed for her after introducing Jesus to her.

"This is not the end of life , you know. There is a beautiful future waiting for you to posses it...and that future is in Jesus. Yes, you are pained, wounded and battered, but there's still more to you than this shatters you see."

"How do you expect me to believe that?......how?" The girl screamed at her before melting into tears. She cried hard for like fifteen minutes, Sharon went out to hold her in her arms. 

"It's ok, you would be fine." Sharon said. "You took a bold step by sharing your pain with me." Sharon said again as she cupped her head in her hands.

"I just want to die, but I don't want to die without killing that animal that wrecked my life. I see myself now as a beast. I can't look at myself anymore in the mirror. What did I do to him that makes him hate me this much. I had two abortions for him" she raised up two of her fingers as she used the other hand to beat her chest "two! That animal turned me into a murderer. Many times  I have thought of absconding after stealing a substantial amount of money from that woman that calls herself my mother, because I know her ATM pin and some other financial stuff. But you can't imagine the mental trauma of the dilemma to kill my own baby, or keep a product of incest. It is an irony that I am totally empty yet filled with an ocean of bitterness. I am a total waste, not useful to myself or anyone else." She said as she dissolved into tears again.

Sharon had been praying in the Holy Ghost under her breath. 'Lord, give me the right words to say to this beloved that had been wounded. Open her eyes to see the reality of Your love in this storm of wretchedness. Make her to see your light and love Jesus. Help her Jesus, Help us Jesus.' Sharon cried within her in prayers.

"I'm hopeless. Utterly hopeless...' the girl sobbed

"There's no shadow You won't light up

Mountain You won't climb up

Coming after me

No wall You won't keep down

Lie You won't tear down

Coming after Me"

Sharon began to sing the song as it came to her spirit. She reapeated the refrain over and over until the girl muttered the song with her in between sobs. The sobs gradually declined as she sang the song along with Sharon, who was still rocking her in her arms. She had heard the song before as it is usually played with the sound system in her teenagers church where she attended. She had not been active in church because she thinks it's just about some fairy tale or myth of a 'Superhero' that died for the redemption of mind kind. 'Bro, how was that possible. Who dies for the sin of other people?' That had always been her thought, but right now, she feels the presence of that 'Superhero' strongly in this room that it's palpable. "Help me Jesus, help me" she said as she placed her hands on her chest. Come into my life and clear this mess. I need You Jesus." I need You. Be my Saviour, be my Lord, be my Helper, be my Friend, my Comfort and Strength, and Hope to me." She prayed with muffled sobs

Sharon was still praying in the Holy Ghost within her as she continued the song. She knew the Lord had started His work in the young girl's life, and she did not want to interrupt what He was doing.

Help me Jesus! " the girl screamed admidst sob again as she fell from the chair she was sitting into the floor. Then, she became still. 

"Daddy, perfect your work in your beloved" Sharon prayed as she walked across the room. Some minutes later, the girl stood up, aroused to consciousness. She looked peaceful. 

"Are you okay?" Sharon asked her softly.

"Yes, I'm fine" she replied in a soft voice. She had felt a peace overwhelm her that she had never felt before. She had seen a man hug her like in a trance. He smiled and told her He loved her, and that everything was going to be fine. She remembered the words he said to her

"The mountains and the hills may crumble

But my love for you will never end

I will keep forever my promise of peace

So says the Lord who loves you."

Those were the exact words He had said to her. And his appearance was like that if the 'Superhero' they had told her about in the teenage church.

She narrated everything she saw to Sharon. Sharon smiled as she muttered the words " thank You Jesus."

"Could that have been Jesus?" the girl asked, wide-eyed.

"Yes love, that was Jesus." Sharon replied, a bright smile lighting up her face. He made His appearance to you as a reassurance that you are not alone. And believe me, you are not alone. He is the one that daily carries us. He bears our burdens and delights in us casting our care upon Him, because He cares for us. He is concerned with everything that concerns us.

The girl broke down in tears again, but this time, was not shedding tears of hopelessness and damnation, but tears of joy at the realization of the new hope she has now found in Christ Jesus, which she was not letting go of, no matter what.

Sharon went out to hold her again " Welcome love," she kissed her hair " welcome into the family of Christ."

"Thank you ma. I am grateful I came here first and not to go and buy the slow poison at a pharmacy not too far from here which my friend disclosed to me." 

Your friend?" Sharon asked. "How does she know they sell slow poison there?"

"She is a street girl, that is into all manner of things; she is a hustler. I don't know how she came about it, but I knew that she was the only person I could ask of such a thing without the fear of judgement or questioning."

"How old is this your friend?"

She is seventeen years old." the girl replied.

Ok, we'd talk about your friend later." I want you to feel at home with me ok, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask me, alright

Yes ma'am." 

Ohh, you can call me sister Sharon" Sharon said as she smiled, revealing a beautiful dentition.

Ok ma'am....... sorry......Sister Sharon." the girl said as she smiled also. She is very beautiful. Sharon noticed she had a beautiful diastema in between her two upper incisors. She was caramel skinned and had a long slim neck. 

"What is your name dear?"

"Olaife" she replied.

"You have a lovely name." Sharon commented

"Where do you live Olaife?" she continued.

"I live at Crestone street, Crestwood estate." Olaife replied.

"So, when do you intend going home?" Sharon asked.

"I am not ready to go back into that house, sis. He is an animal. I dread what he may want to do with me again tonight." Olaife replied....an horrified shout, rather than a reply.

"So, you would rather remain in the hostel than go home?"

"Gladly."

"But you know you would not be allowed to stay in the hostel one week after vacation."

"I would rather die than go back to that house," Olaife replied, her mouth set  determinedly. 

Sharon knew that the girl was not bluffing, and she was not ready to take chances, not with this one.

"Where is your mum?" Sharon asked Olaife

"Mum? Well, maybe on one of her business trips. I don't care to know." Olaife said, with an irritated gesture.

"When last has she called you?"

"The last time I told her I had resumed back to school" Olaife replied

"Three months ago?" 

"Yes"

But, how do you come in contact with your father?" 

"He comes on visiting days to drop provisions and money for me. And he is usually around on visiting days. Anyone who sees will think he is the best dad." Olaife said, bittered. "He sneaks into my room anytime I am at home when we are on mid-term break or holidays. There is nearly not a day that he doesn't sneak into my room to sleep with me. And he has threatened to kill me if I told anyone, my mother inclusive.

"Do you have grandparents?" Sharon asked her.

"Yes, my grandma stays in Lagos." Olaife replied, "though it's been a while I have been to her place. My dad disallowed me from going to her place about three years ago. He said one prophet told him she was a witch. I would actually prefer to stay with a witch than with my father." 

"Ok, tell me about your grandmother."

"She is a disciplinarian. And she is kind. I enjoy being with her. She cooks really good, read bible stories to me and listens to my gist. Aside my grandmother, you are the only person that had time for me like this."

"Alright, I'll see what I can do that you are able to stay with your grandmother for the time being. If I asked you stay with me for the break, would you be willing to as myself and my team see into this matter?"

Olaife clasped Sharon's hand in hers " I would love to ma....... anything to keep me away from my father."

"Ok, no problem. I will get in touch with the principal, so that arrangements would be made."

"Thank you so much ma, I am grateful. God bless you ma." Olaife did not know when she stood up to hug Sharon. If there was anything like human-angels, this woman is definitely one.

Sharon got in contact with the principal. She and her team had started working on the case; physically, legally, psychologically...... and prayerfully.

Questions

1. How do parents balance their career with child upbringing?

2. Can Olaife ever overcome her bitterness towards her parents?

Reflection

"Though the mountains be shaken

 and the hills removed

Yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken

Nor My covenant of peace be removed

Says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

Isaiah 54:10

You might have read this and one time in your life been a victim of abuse, it's not all over for you. God has you in mind.....always. He has your name written in the hollow of His palms. 

Let go of your bitterness today....and right now, and trust Him to help you with the process, because I tell you, humanly speaking, it is not possible.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you need to do so, because He is the only One that can help you.

Say these prayers:

"Lord Jesus, I thank You because You have me in mind. Thank You for loving me even when I never knew You. I accept You today as my Lord and Savior. Purge me of all my bitterness and sins. Heal my past, renew my present and preserve my future. I am Yours completely from today. Thank You Father, in Jesus'name. Amen

Welcome beloved into the family of Christ.

If you have any questions or clarifications, please send a message to 2318161231496 (WhatsApp) or an email to nikelotus123@gmail.com.

Much love from Abba heart 💖

Lotus 🌷