ALLL FOR NOTHING

Grand Finale..

“Daddy, so you studied at Achievers high school?” Ten years old Toyin asked me. It’s been ten years but the memories are still fresh like it was just yesterday. It has not been easy being a single parent but I later got used to it. At first it was challenging but as my daughter grew older, I found it enjoying.

“Yes dear and that’s where I met your mom for the first time.” I replied.

“Was that where you met aunt Lola too?”

“No dear, I met aunt Lola at Republic town and since then she has been a very good friend.” I replied.

“Why didn’t you marry aunt Lola instead. She’s been really nice to me. It would have been nice to have her as my mommy.” Little Toyin said.

“Hey dear, remember what I taught you. Man proposes but God disposes. God’s ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts.

“Are you not happy that Daddy loves you? You still grandma and grandpa who love you very much. And aunt Lola even though she is married, she still treats you like her child. You know you are very lucky. Daddy didn’t get any of the love you have now save for that of grandma.” I replied.

“Of course daddy, I’m happy you love me and you know, you are the best daddy in the world.” She replied.

“Alright dear, it’s time to go to bed. Lead us in prayers.” I said.

Toyin led the prayers that night and as I listened to her praying, I felt happy because indeed God had blessed me with a beautiful daughter.

“Almighty God, always make daddy happy and don’t ever make him cry again. Keep my grandma and grandpa safe and bless all the children out there with a loving family like mine.” She prayed.

That night, before I slept, I committed my journey back to Utti into the hands of God. I was back at Republic town but was making preparations to visit Achievers high school to have a word with the students. The holy spirit had specifically instructed me to go there and while I was thinking what exactly it was to tell them, I heard him clearly, “Tell them about your own salvation.”

After graduating as the best student in my faculty, I started up a small gathering of believers where we studied together and in a span of ten years, it had grown to be a ministry that I can’t even explain how.
Constant fellowship with the holy spirit made me understand that it wasn’t actually Toyin (late) that was asking me to get married again but a dem©n taking her form.
The holy Spirit made me understand that Lola didn’t come into my life to be my wife but for me to help her become a better version of herself. She already has her own law firm and was still ambassador to the telecommunication company that awarded a scholarship during her days in the university. She even became the legal attorney of the company and was doing well.

Though it wasn’t easy, I made her understand that her life was with some one else not me. She is happily married with two kids and is one of the few persons who loved my daughter Toyin like it was her own.

Mama had left Nigeria to Canada. Toyin’s father sponsored her trip down and she was living in one of the houses he bought there. Mama finally got the kind of life I always wanted her to have but truth be told, age was no longer on her side.

Both Mama and Toyin’s father had requested for their grand daughter to come visit during the holidays which I promised she would after her exams.

The following morning as I drove little Toyin off to school, she wouldn’t cease asking me so many questions.

“Daddy, why is it that you are always looking forward while driving? When will I be able to drive too?”

I just couldn’t help but smile as she always reminded me of her mother.

“You are just so much like your mother you know. If only she was alive to see her smart her daughter is.” I replied.

“Thank you Daddy. I have something for you.” She said dipping her hands into her bag.

“What is it?” I asked surprised?”

“I’ll give it to you once you drop me off at school.” She replied.

“Alright dear, what’s the occasion?” I asked.

“Happy birthday Daddy.” She said as she alighted.
“This is for you.” She said handing me a card.
“I spent the whole of yesterday preparing this card for you.” She said smiling revealing her beautiful dimples just like her mother.

I had been really busy that I forgot that it was my birthday.”

I hugged her and became emotional.

“Thank you so much honey.” I replied still holding on to her.

“I love you Daddy.” She replied.

“I love you more dear.” I replied.

She had to go inside and as she was walking, all I saw was Toyin from Achievers high school. We bid each other farewell and I promised to pick her up later from Lola’s place.

As I took the journey back to Utti that morning, I wasn’t sure if my story will make any difference at all. I didn’t know if it would be worth sharing but I trust the holy Spirit to always lead one on the right path.

I arrived at Achievers high school and since it was the career week, the SS3 students were already seated waiting for me.

In the past 15 years, a lot has changed in Achievers high school and all my old teachers were left still there.

They were so proud to see me again especially Principal Ogunsola. When I requested to speak with the SS3 Students, she approved it immediately.

She introduced me to all the students as the best Student Achievers high school has ever produced which I doubted was true. She explained to them that I was the only Student who remembered Achievers high school after leaving the years. She told them of all the records I had set and I was really dumbfounded.

“This is the Ayomide Akintunde that teachers have been talking about.” She said.

All the students stood up and greeted me in Unison.

“Nice to meet you sir.” They all said.

“Nice to meet you too.” I replied.

“How many of us wants to be pastors?” I asked.

Surprisingly, no one raised his or her hands. It was at that point, I knew why the holy spirit sent me to Achievers high School. A lot of people want to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, accountants, journalists etc but very few wants to preach the gospel and lead men to the saving grace of our Lord Christ.

I gave a brief exhortation and told them my Story. Everyone in the auditorium was quiet that if a needle was dropped mistakenly, it’s sound would be heard.

After my story, I asked thesame question again and I saw more hands. I made them understand that there is no profession that has reward as one who shows men the road to salvation.

So many of the students took photos with me and as if someone had told them it was my birthday, they all sang a happy birthday song for me.

“Wait how did you guys find out that today is my birthday?” I asked.

“I saw it on Facebook this morning.” One of the students replied.

I was really happy to know that I was able to impart lives even if I was once a rebellious child of God.

Principal Ogunsola requested for me to come as often as I can to impart the lives of the students of Achievers high school.

By the time I got to Lola’s place, to pick up Toyin, a feast had been prepared by her and her husband.

I just couldn’t contain my joy as messages were just trooping into my phone. Indeed it pays to serve God.

Before going to bed that night, I started imagining if I had been something else, would I be able to touch the lives I’m touching right now? What else do I want from God to convince me that he is with me? I have a mother, a father in-law who is also a father and a beautiful daughter.

Sometimes people come into our lives for reasons we may not understand until God opens our eyes to see why. I may not have graduated as the best student from Achievers high school even if I tired all I could to do so. I may not have pursued engineering as a discipline after my university days. Could all my struggles have amounted to nothing. Could it be that it was all for nothing? Apparently not. God was working behind the scenes and it was all for his glory…

I went to Toyin’s room to check on her and she was sleeping soundly.

“God help me to be the best father to my daughter.” I whispered to myself.

Mr Omotayo’s text message came in last that day causing me to smile. Mr Omotayo was the angel God used in lifting me up and I’ll be forever grateful for that.

This is my story and it’s the story you just finished reading. Though I thought at first that all my struggles were for nothing, the holy spirit made me understand that it was all to God’s glory…

The END….

Hope you enjoyed the story?

Please do well to share your thoughts and feelings about this story.

Thank you all for reading. God bless you.

Till I come your way next time, I still remain Ayodawha Ejaeta Victory..

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