OLOLUFE

The past few days have been a time of reflection for me; contemplation seemed to have taken the place of celebration, at least for a while. The reason is, on the 5th of August, my marriage to Adetola turned 25.

Yes, I'm full of thanks to God. In the next few weeks, I intend to celebrate my wife. Like an "expert," I could say I know what it's like to be married for 25 years. It's not difficult; just marry right and live right, and 25 years will roll by one year at a time. What could be simpler than that? But that would make me a superman. You'd only have to know me for a day to realize I am far from being a superman.

I celebrate Adetola because she made this marriage work. Nothing I could have done would have made this work if she hadn't worked it with me. She loves me without reservations.

I came into this marriage a simple-minded young man. I had never had a girlfriend in my life; yes, I was a virgin. My naivety was of the dumbest kind. I threw myself totally into this marriage as if there was no possibility of it failing. Looking back now, I can say that if Tola had disappointed or betrayed me, I was finished. I was simple-minded, but “The Lord preserveth the simple” (Psalm 116:6).

God helped me to maintain my simplicity in marriage. In all my years in this marriage, I've not had an affair. No "side chick." No girlfriend. No sexual dalliances with any woman, dead or alive. Don't mistake this for a boast; I'm just stating a cold fact. I'm not ashamed of living such a life; after all, I am a Christian, and that's how we roll. I'm just saying this because, after God, my wife made this work.

Someone once told me after hearing my testimony that I kept to one woman because I was "strong." I looked at her in great surprise.

Strong? God knows this because He sees my heart. I have never considered or seen myself as strong. It has always been my belief that the day a man says he has mastered strength is the day his "strength" begins to fail. It is God who "worketh in [me] both to will and to do His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13), “working in [me] that which is "wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ" (Hebrews 13:21).

So, Adetola Ajini, when I sing for you and cavort like a teenage brat, it's because of the miles you've traveled with me barefoot on thorny and stony paths. It's because of the days of darkness so thick that your right hand was passionately clasped to my left hand, lest we drift apart. It is because of the shared blood and sweat that we buried with smiles and sermons as we wiped people's tears while we cried within. It is because of the divine joy that has shielded us from the arrows and bullets of the world's wickedness. It is because of the Presence that has always been there and has never failed us once.

Ololufe, abiyamo a b’ọja gbọoọrọ gbọọrọ.
___
The attached picture was taken 7 years ago.

Dear Believer,

It often happens that the problem child in the family takes the lion’s share of his parents’ love. He is irresponsible, but his parents keep loving him with all they’ve got, and they show it.

In many instances, when a child is good and doing just fine, the parents take it for granted. They believe he will always be good, so they don’t bother themselves to look after him.

This sometimes makes some children turn bad on purpose, just so that they can get some attention.

The good thing is for parents to love their children equally. It is a simple principle of equitable parenting.

Read the scripture focus of today again. Paul says he and his partner started praying for the Colossian church after he heard of their faith and love for Christ and other saints.

Colossians 1:3-4 KJV
We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints…

This church had no problem of division and immorality, such as the Corinthian church had. They were committed, strong and full of love.

They didn’t seem to need any prayer from anyone; they were doing just fine.

Yes Paul prayed for them always. Not in spite of their good spiritual health, but because of it.

That’s remarkable. Today, if we hear of a Believer who is doing very well, we just don’t bother ourselves to pray or encourage them. We’d rather reserve our prayer for the backslidden, the weak and the disobedient.

Believer, ALL your brethren need to be prayed for. Your pastor, as good and spiritually sound as you think he is; that brother or sister who seems to be the holiest one you’ve ever seen; that woman who seems to be always praying, smiling, filled with faith and encouraging others; your husband or wife who seems to be always strong and never discouraged; that friend of yours that seems to always have everything and is ever happy…

You don’t know what some are hiding behind their smiles. And even if nothing is wrong with them, don’t wait till something does before you start praying for them.

So, when next the Spirit of the Lord brings someone into your heart whose life seems perfect, don’t hesitate to pray for them.

While bad people and situations may need prayer of salvation or restoration, Good things and situations also need prayers to be sustained and strengthened. They are the reason the world is still somewhat conducive for us to live in.

Believer, pray for the good people you know

The Lord cause your life to continue to be a shining light to others in the name.of Jesus, and may your light never be put out.

Have a great day.

Your friend,
Deon.

From my DailyVotion.