The following weeks brought more questions than answers. Blessings felt like a stranger in his own life. The world around him—the dusty streets of Ndeke Compound, the chatter of his classmates, the simple rhythm of his family's routines—seemed to carry on as if nothing had changed. But for Blessings, everything had.
The name Peter echoed in his mind like a drumbeat, growing louder with each passing day. The dream of the glowing figure and the mysterious stone haunted his thoughts. Every time he tried to push it aside, it resurfaced, demanding his attention.
One Sunday morning, his father, Mr. Banda, surprised the family by announcing they would all attend church. It wasn't unusual for his mother to go, but Mr. Banda was not a regular churchgoer.
"Why today?" Blessings asked as they prepared to leave.
His father shrugged. "Sometimes a man just feels the need to hear from God," he said simply.
Blessings' curiosity was piqued. He had been to church many times before, but this time felt different. As they walked to the small community church at the end of their street, he couldn't shake the feeling that something significant was about to happen.
---
The church was a modest building with cracked walls and a tin roof that rattled in the wind. Inside, wooden benches were arranged in neat rows, and a faded cross hung at the front of the room. The congregation was small but lively, their voices rising in joyous song as the service began.
Blessings sat beside his mother, his eyes scanning the room. He felt out of place, like a fish trying to survive on dry land. But then, as the pastor began his sermon, something shifted.
"God has a purpose for each and every one of us," the pastor said, his voice firm and commanding. "Sometimes, that purpose is hidden, and we feel lost. But remember this: God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called."
Blessings' heart skipped a beat. The words felt like they were meant for him, as if the pastor were speaking directly to his soul.
"Maybe this is the sign I asked for," he thought.
---
After the service, Blessings lingered outside the church, his mind racing. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see the pastor, a tall man with kind eyes and a warm smile.
"Young man," the pastor said, "I noticed you seemed deep in thought during the sermon. Is everything alright?"
Blessings hesitated. He wanted to tell the pastor everything—the voice, the dream, the name Peter—but he wasn't sure where to begin.
"I… I've been hearing things," he finally said. "Things I don't understand."
The pastor nodded thoughtfully. "Sometimes, God speaks to us in ways we can't immediately comprehend. But don't ignore it. Seek Him, and He will reveal what you need to know."
The pastor's words stayed with Blessings as he walked home. He felt a flicker of hope, but also a deep sense of responsibility. If this was truly a calling from God, how was he supposed to respond?
---
The following days were a whirlwind of emotions. Blessings began to spend more time reading his Bible, searching for answers. The verse in Matthew about Peter became his anchor, though it also filled him with doubt.
"How can I be a rock when I feel so weak?" he often asked himself.
His struggles didn't go unnoticed. Joseph, his ever-curious friend, cornered him during lunch at school one day.
"Alright, Blessings," Joseph said, crossing his arms. "You've been acting weird for weeks. Spill it. What's going on?"
Blessings hesitated. Joseph was his closest friend, but he wasn't sure how to explain what he was going through.
"Do you ever feel like you're meant for something… bigger?" he finally asked.
Joseph raised an eyebrow. "Bigger? Like what? You planning to be president or something?"
Blessings shook his head. "No, it's not like that. It's… I don't know how to explain it. It's like there's this voice, telling me I'm supposed to be something more than I am."
Joseph stared at him for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Man, you've been reading too many books. You sound like one of those Bible characters."
Blessings forced a smile, but Joseph's reaction stung. It reinforced his growing sense of isolation.
---
That evening, Blessings sat under the mango tree in his yard, staring up at the stars. The quiet of the night was soothing, but his mind was anything but calm.
"God," he whispered, "if this is really You, why does it feel so hard? Why do I feel so out of place?"
The wind rustled the leaves above him, and for a moment, he thought he heard the voice again.
"Strength is forged in struggle," it said, faint but clear.
Blessings closed his eyes, letting the words sink in. He didn't fully understand them, but they gave him a strange sense of comfort.
---
The days turned into weeks, and Blessings' life became a delicate balancing act. He struggled to keep up with schoolwork while grappling with the growing weight of his questions. His family noticed his change in behavior, but they chalked it up to teenage angst.
One evening, as the family sat down for dinner, his father turned to him.
"Blessings," he said, his tone serious. "I've been watching you. You've been different lately. Is something bothering you?"
Blessings hesitated, his fork frozen in mid-air. "I'm fine," he said quickly.
Mr. Banda frowned but didn't press further. "Well, if you ever want to talk, I'm here," he said gruffly.
Blessings nodded, grateful for his father's unspoken support.
---
That night, as he lay in bed, Blessings reflected on the past few weeks. He felt like a fish out of water, struggling to find his place in a world that didn't seem to understand him. But amidst the confusion and doubt, he clung to the hope that there was a purpose behind it all.
"Maybe this is just the beginning," he thought. "Maybe I'll find my place eventually."
Little did he know, the journey ahead would be far more challenging—and far more transformative—than he could ever imagine.