A Message to My Child!

A Message to My Child

‘Ọmọ mi,’ my beautiful child, the only child and treasure I have.

I know I won’t always be with you to feed you with your small spoon, filled with food. I know I will not always be there to scold and correct you when you do wrong, nor will I be there to put your head of gold on my lap or shoulder whenever you need someone to rest on or console you whenever you rain down tears from your dark, shining little eyes.

My child, I know there would be a time when you would leave me, with your luggage packed, to behold the world without, in-order to learn and observe the nature and intricacies of the world.

My child, material things are of little value to me; I would sell my last wrapper to ensure you get every material thing you need. I would sweat blood while working in the torrential rain, scorching sun, and harsh winds to ensure you are well fed and that your dark skin keeps glowing. I would labour hard to ensure you get the best things in life, for those things you desire are nothing to me.

However, my child, the words, morals, instructions, and exemplary life I have laid for you are more than gold to me. Do not let them die in your hands; let them be seen in you. Even though we will be far away from each other one day, commit the words and examples I have taught you to heart. Remember, you are my only child; I do not want to lose you to the satanic and seducing spirits of the world.

Remember this, my child:

God first, before anything else. Let God dwell inside of you; let His word dwell inside of you; let His word be your guiding principle. Do not take away God’s word from your heart to allow the seducing spirits of the world into your heart.

Remember how I always woke you up at 5 a.m. each morning for devotion, where we would study the word and pray together even while you were still in the dreamland?

Remember on Sundays, how I would wake you up by 5 a.m., do our regular devotion to God, and send you to the bathroom to brush and have your bath, even while you kept insisting that you wanted to sleep more?

Also, remember how I selected the most beautiful dress for you from your wardrobe, then we walked excitedly on the streets, heading to church with our ‘pen, Bible, and book’ held in our hands?

Do you also remember how, at the age of 10, I wanted you to join the choir? However, the choir mistress refused to accept you because you were too young. Nevertheless, I pleaded with them to allow you, which they did. During your audition, they were greatly impressed by your melodious voice and powerful performance. Hence, they had to accept you, thus making you the youngest minister in the church then.

Remember how we also ministered the Gospel of Christ to those around us through words, songs, and hymns? Do not forget and neglect all these, my child; still, keep doing them!

My child, do not be far away from knowledge. As much as possible, humble yourself to learn and study. Do not get carried away by the material things of the world. Don’t worry; a time will come when you will start enjoying those things with your own money.

But now is the time for you to study, learn, and acquire knowledge to become the person you wish to become in the future, and I assure you, you will lack nothing once you’ve attained that height while being patient in the process of learning.

Do not be boastful or feel like you’ve known so much. There is still more for you to learn. I am still learning, and learning never stops.

My child, remember that you are a light to your generation, so you should not be hidden. Even as you grow in wisdom and in the knowledge of God’s word and revelation, also help others grow. Ensure to make a positive mark and impact on the lives of people around you.

Even as you create and add value to yourself with the knowledge you have acquired, you also add value to your society and others around you, such that whenever they come to you, their lives are blessed and greatly filled with knowledge that would help them grow effectively. Why do this? You do it for God, not for yourself.

Let all honour and glory be unto him, and not unto yourself. Even as they sing your praise, hailing you for the impact you’ve made in their lives, remember that it is not by your power, nor is it by your might, but by God’s grace and the revelation of His word that dwells in you. Do not allow pride to get into you, for it will bring you down. You are only a vessel used by God. Ascribe all glory and honour to Him.

My child, I know we are all flesh and blood; hence, we have the tendency to give in to emotions. However, my child, learn to keep your emotions and actions in check. Because you are angry, that doesn’t mean you should transfer your aggression to others around you or start laying curses. Because you are depressed, that doesn’t mean you should kill yourself.

Because you are in love with someone, that doesn’t mean you should give your body to the person while you are not yet legally, culturally, and spiritually joined in holy matrimony. Why the rush? Why not wait till that time instead of acting rashly because of that thing you call ‘love’? Well, you are just in lust; flee away from such. I will send you to school to obtain a bachelor’s degree, not a ‘baby’ degree. Beware, my child!

Also, remember to mind your words when you are emotional, even when you are very excited about something. Do not speak or draw conclusions out of emotions; rather, think before you speak. Be sensitive and discerning when speaking. Remember, my child, when I said, “Some words, no matter how right and true they may sound when said in the wrong way and on the wrong occasion, could destroy things.

Discernment: sensitivity is needed to know how to use the right words in the right way, on the right occasion, for the right purpose and motive, and to the right persons.” Be slow to speak, my child, and be quick to listen, to learn, and to think.

My child, learn to love and honour those around you. Do not look down on people, for they are also God’s precious creations, just as you are. Just as you claim to love and honour God, also learn to love, honour, and respect others.

Let your mind be free of hatred, grudges, malice, and gossip against others; you do yourself no good, and you only hurt yourself practicing and keeping such traits to heart. Come to think of it, what if you got to see the better version of those you looked down on, hated, kept malice and grudges against, and needed their help tomorrow? How shameful would it be for you? God’s nature is love, and so is yours. As God’s child, let your nature be one of love and honour.

My child, I know I won’t always be with you to correct and scold you whenever you are wrong; however, your heart and conscience will tell you when you are wrong. Also, remember that God sees you, and you will give account to Him. He owns your life, while I am just a caretaker.

If you fail to be obedient and honest with the words and examples that I have said and shown to you but live contrary to them, you do not just fail me; you also fail God, who sees you.

Know this, my child: you will be rewarded, and your reward depends on the things you say and the things you do; you will get what you deserve, and you will reap what you sow—if you sow well, you will reap the best, and if you sow badly, you will reap worse. Keep your words and actions in check.

Remember, my child, life makes sense when well spent, and your choices today will influence your tomorrow. In life, choose to be happy, choose to learn, choose to serve, choose to love, choose the right company, choose to make a positive mark wherever you are, choose to radiate light, choose to keep doing good, choose to be remembered for good, choose to believe in the great future that lies ahead of you, and never be discouraged, even as you work hard to achieve that great and glowing future.

And above all, choose God and every one of his words for you as the bedrock on which you lean and on which your hopes are solely built.

I hope these words do not just enter your head and fly away later- on, but always stick to your memory, to feed on daily, and to live by.

I love you, my child, and I wish you a bright and better future. Do not also forget that God loves you, and He also wishes you well.

Do not fail us, go, and do exploits, make us proud, that my tears for you will always be tears of joy and not tears of sorrow, and so that my hands will lay proudly on your head of gold, and my mouth will keep invoking more and more blessings on you.

A Message to My Child