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A MIRROR OF HOPE

You forcefully open the double doors to your room to see your reflection in the large spotless mirror staring at you, as you try to avoid the Master. Your image kills the mustard seed of hope you have been trying to nurture – your eyes exhausted from too many tears. Your lips are chapped, and the glory of your skin is in the past - your beautiful skin as your mother would remark. You wonder if it’s because of its fairness or the hairless sight of it, or the chubby feeling when touched. And then you reckon the eyes of your mother are not yours. Your beauty lies in your freedom, you think to yourself. You affirm that you don’t belong here, not in this castle with grey walls, lofty ceilings, and heavy brown curtains. Not viewing ancient paintings of wars. Not on a bed for a crowd and certainly not wearing these expensive clothes too pure to smear. You recall the first day of your arrival at your new home. You were greeted by a servant who avoided your eyes as he bowed his head and sai...
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HOW TOUGH IS YOUR TIME?

 

HOW TOUGH IS YOUR TIME?

 Look up the definitions of pressure, stress, toughness, challenge, hardship. Yes, these are not mere words; they are situations we face as humans in a world where time gives no hoot about what you are going through. It keeps moving like an endless train with many passengers confused about the next stop or the condition of the engine, or the longevity of the journey.

 The world faces its problems. Countries fight their wars; continents battle their evils. States wrestle their fears, and it goes down to the individual. A woman fights just as a man does his demons. They come in the form of psychological traumas, financial hardships, career blocks, relationship ghosts and all sorts of whats and hows and when and who and where.

 

In my father’s time, the challenge was having values. In my time, it is acquiring wealth or being successful. In the future, it might be visiting Mars like it was a stone throw. Who knows? Still, time is having a smoke while we all harden or soften up to our problems. How tough is your time? Is the minute hand too slow for you? Is the second hand too fast, or the hour hand too short?

 How tough is your time? It is either you are struggling to go through school. You are searching for a job. You need a husband, wife, child, sound health or visa. You want an increase in salary or for your business to flourish. How tough is your time? I think my time does not move as slowly or fast as yours. I think that when I am asleep, you might be awake, so don’t expect the same cock that crows for me to do the same for you. I think that your strides are longer than mine because you are taller. I think that the storm in my house might be a drizzle in yours. So, why should you need a boat?

 Nobody’s time is the toughest. Nobody’s day is more than 24hours. And so does nobody’s hard times last a lifetime. If we can battle the drowning periods together, we’ll walk on the waters as Jesus did. If we can give a hug to a sorrowful soul, we’ll have wings big enough to fly as high as we want to. If we are concerned about the smiles we can put on people’s faces, we wouldn’t need makeup to give us bright faces. How hard can your time be?

 

 I saw that little boy under a thunderstorm, with torn clothes and feet with no shoes. He appeared as one in a castle, waiting for his servants to attend to his needs until the sound of thunder jerked him to his harsh reality. He looked at the long line of cars stuck due to a problematic vehicle up ahead. He looked away to the hawkers trying to win buyers. He looked at the eatery beside him and slowly resolved to sit on the wet floor with eyes filled with tears being washed away by the rain. How tough his time is. No one is interested in giving a helping hand especially when it is pouring like crazy. Painful sights are too rampant these days; they are like the routine of a church service. Once the preaching is over, the grace is shared; everyone heads home. This boy is preaching to everyone who sees him but we are all waiting for one thing or the other to end the service. For me, I was waiting for the groundnut seller to hand over my change so I could settle the conductor and head home broke, with my groundnut and bread waiting to serve as my dinner. You could say my time is tough too.

 In conclusion, if you have good health, be glad. If you have had a meal today, be grateful. If you have a roof over your head, be thankful. If you have a source of income, oh blessed are you. If you have good people around you, what more do you need? Still, these are hard times. Not a handful of people can boast of having the stated luxuries of life. There are many wicked people around these days. Although, we all see ourselves as good Samaritans until we hear a neighbour praying against our wickedness in the middle of the night. Or, people laying curses upon you for being a terrible leader. Or your congregation calling you a thief for taxing them too often. Or that little boy cursing the country he was born in. It goes on and on but, in the end, our tough times will eventually fade away!

 If you have read, share so someone’s hard times can be softened a little and don’t forget to be honest.


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