Chapter Thirty Eight
QUANTUM LEAP IN THE FAMILY
"Mr. Chidi what has this family done to you that made you to sit on the children's destinies?"
Mr. Chidi was a member of the church council and a brother to the man whose children were jobless. The Vicar asked them to get a hoe for him, and he dug the spot he was standing, and a cellophane bag was brought out.
Inside it were the names of all the children written neatly. He confessed that he killed the in-law because he set out to assist them. After the confession, Mr. Chidi ran away on self-exile and never returned to that community again.
Few weeks later, the elder brother got a job, followed by the rest.
Your seed makes a way for you. It takes you to where you least expected. It also fights unseen battles for you.
Dora was moved when she heard 'unseen battles'. That was undoubtedly what Mazi Iluno Okonkwo brought to her house. She adjusted her sitting position and listened more attentively.
Time will not permit me to share more testimonies. Seed sowing works miracle if you sow with faith on a fertile soil. Before I proceed with my sermon, I will like you to listen to the testimony of this woman. The hands of God will move when you thank Him.
GOD RAISED MY HUSBAND FROM DEATH AFTER MY THANKSGIVING
My husband took ill after four years of our marriage. Apart from his illness, I was unable to conceive too. He was bedridden for about three months in the hospital. By this time, we had spent so much money on drugs and that affected us financially... We sowed a seed even when we had little.
Thereafter, God opened doors for my husband, and he recovered all the money we spent in the hospital and gave him the job that helped us to build our house in Abuja. I have also conceived and gave birth to a set of twin. To God be the glory".
The congregation that had been listening with rapt attention clapped for her. Some people believed her testimony, but some doubted her. They felt it was a cooked up lies that was intended to extort money from members.
Those that were sleeping during the testimonies were woken up by the clapping from the congregation. All the same, some of them believed and had concluded within them on how to give. Within Dora, Jeff's school fees was already a seed that must be sown. There was nothing that could change that.
The Reverend continued.
"Give God praise. He is worthy."
The Reverend said, lifting his right hand over his head.
"I have not doubted God when it comes to thanksgiving or sowing of seed. God can make you whole when you give out of lack.
It is my advice that you sow on a fertile soil. The Scripture said when you hear the word of God, do not harden your heart. Allow the Holy Spirit to teach you more about this topic.
In conclusion, if you have your doubts about the sermon, go to the Holy Spirit for clarification.
Let us pray".
Thursday was the deadline for the registration for as many students who were admitted into the university that year. Dora would have done that last week but for the death and burial of Mazi. Ken had been busy endeavoring to sort things out at his former place of work. They were to vacate the company's house they were occupying and hand over his official car to the company as soon as possible. That has kept him busy since they returned from the village for Mazi Iluno Okonkwo's burial. When he was less busy, he made inquiries.
"How far with Jeff's school?"
He asked Dora after dinner on Wednesday night.
"Jeff's registration? Fine"
She answered sharply and asked another question to avoid him going further.
Jeff was to leave for school on Sunday after church. She ought to have started the shopping but could not because of the money.
On Friday, Ken could no longer hold his peace. He was firmer in his investigation.
"Today is Friday, you ought to have been done with the shopping.'
Ken asked, looking sternly into her eyes, but she kept mute as though she did not hear him. She must confess that she was blessed with the most gentle and patient man in the world. Some other men would have reacted irrationally.
"It looks like you are not willing to do this. If that is the case, let me have the money. I will do the shopping myself. Just transfer the money into my account"
Ken ordered as he dressed up to leave the house.
She just left the room for the parlor and sat there like a child who burnt the mother's cloth while ironing it. After waiting for to transfer the money and noticed that she did not, she walked up to her in the parlor and demanded.
"Wifey, Why have you not transferred the money?"
From Dora's mood, he observed that all was not well because she was not gazing at anything in particular. Ken, who knew her too well to understand her mood and felt her neck to ascertain her temperature, but she was all right. He sat close to her and inquired.
"What is the problem honey, are you all right?"
He asked politely while he drew her close to his bosom.
No response still from me.
"Are you thinking of Mama?" She will be all right."
He consoled while he gave her a peck.
No response still from Dora. At this instance, Ken cast his mind on the five hundred thousand he gave to her for Jeff's school and inquired instantly.
"What happened to the money?"
He looked at her sternly when no response came from her. He remembered the sermon on Sunday.
"You sowed a seed in the church!"
He exclaimed rather than asked, but her silence and expression betrayed her.
"Not this week again, is my family now a case of one week, one trouble?"
Now, Dora managed to gain some confidence and encouraged.
"No, hubby. It's a case of one week, one blessing."
She assured as she held his hand. The God we serve cannot remain silent over our seed. He felt for her and consoled.
"It is okay, but what about the registration, did you register before the closing date yesterday?"
She nodded her head in the negative. Ken quietly left for the room. He wanted to avoid creating a scene, especially when it had to do with God.