30 May 2008 |
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Yes, it was the first year anniversary of Ilejẹun Jadesọla and mama Jade was pregnant! She decided to celebrate the anniversary by purchasing the next two houses beside her restaurant. God had been good and business was lucrative. The home market fall was also a blessing. Well, after this anniversary, the restaurant was going to be remodeled. May 11, 2008 was the celebration of mother’s day in North America and mama Jade decided to celebrate her mother’s memory and the first year anniversary of her restaurant with a big dinner bash for all mothers. As I sent my sons to the children’s section she had created, I was extra grateful to God for making me a mother. I believe in that smart-mommy-brain thing. Motherhood helped me to get over the abuse of my past, enjoy my present and redesign my future. My sons, KristilỌba and KristilOluwa were certainly godly instruments sent by God to convince me to snipe the string of stupid relationships I was attached to. Walking towards my seat, I saw Irelope. As we greeted I remembered her SSS – slap somebody silly slogan. I reminded her and she laughed, telling me she had forgotten all about it. I thought of stupidity sniping scissors in my seat. That could be another SSS acronym. Hebrews 4:12 did say the word of God was a two-edged sword that divided the soul and spirit and also discerned the thoughts and intents of the heart. I could liken sin to stupidity and the sword to a scissors. The word of God cuts, removes, deals with, overcomes, extinguishes, imprisons, and judges sin and stupidity. Perhaps I should call it sin sniping sword, or soul and spirit splitting sword, that’s four SSSS or... , "Derbira, Derbira", I turned, wondering who was calling me by a variant I was unaccustomed to, and I was amazed to see what I could only refer to as the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, walk towards me. Her smile removed the trace of disapproval already formed on my face over the wrong pronunciation of my name and I returned her smile. Lady: I'm told you're Derbira. "Actually, it's Derbrah" I responded sweetly. Lady: O forgive me. Derbrah, well, I wanted to meet the lady who wrote legacy of grace. Then it made sense. She had read Legacy of grace (one of my short plays). "Well I'm glad you like it." I replied. "That's two years old." Lady: Do you have any more? It's been such a blessing. We've acted it about five times in my church. It creates a platform for emotional healing and restoration. Do you have any more? "Let me have your card and we'll talk." I replied. I noticed mama Jade was walking up to the microphone, the program was starting. The lady gave me her card and we all returned to our seats preparing to be edified. Mama Jade thanked everyone present for choosing to spend their mothers’ day evening with her. She invited Pastor Tolu to give the opening prayer. Pastor Tolu had every one laughing when she mentioned that she was only a spiritual mother so she could not identify with the screams many women had made in the birthing room. We went on through the program and I was again refreshed by the Jesu Jays (The stage name Mama Jade’s girls had given themselves) singing my "Iya ni wura". I was eternally grateful to God for my mother and for the gift to write and sing. I had told the girls that their stage name reminded me of a chorus I used to sing as a little girl – Jesu ja
Jesu ja sẹkẹsẹkẹ mi Moku O sọ mi dalaye Ẹjẹ Rẹ iyebiye Lofi ramipada Jesus broke all my chains I died, He gave me life His blood, so precious He used to redeem me
Well it was time for my poem. I picked up the microphone and I read the little poem I wrote the day before.
Mother That word mother Is simply divine That word mother Makes me smile A six letter word Of that awesome person Who links us with God In Whom we all begin What is mother is to me? M for Mammary O for Openhanded T for Teacher H for Healer E for Eloquent R for Refreshing That’s what mother is to me Mother That very special woman Sometimes, special man Who cares and nurtures Disciplines and instructs Sons and daughters I’ve become a mother Twice, I am a mother No, thrice, bearing in mind the spiritual Nay, uncountable times Considering my life Many times, I mothered me Sometimes I think it’s exhausting Other times it’s exhilarating Many times I wonder how my mother did it But now, I’m secure in ‘faithing’ it Hope, faith and Love Describe the word mum Motherhood is really about The three things that abound A mother I am A mother you are Mothers we all Are manifestations of God Thank you.
I smiled as they clapped. I returned to my seat with a feeling of godly peace. Who would have known that me, this same Derbrah, who, eight years ago was deluded, could now be God’s wisdom instrument? I thought I would never prosper as a single parent, my thoughts were proven wrong uncountable times. I thought my sons would miss out because their biological father rejected them, but I was proven wrong as well. My boys turned out to be blessed by the absence of their biological father. God raised up godly men to father them in a godly way. I thought my ministry would suffer because of my divorce, well, I was proven wrong again. God took the divorce as a seed and promoted me, He gave me double for my trouble. I thought my past would steal from my future. That was also untrue. Rather Jesus Christ worked every ungodliness in my past to the glory of His Holy Name through His redeeming power. My testimony of His grace was just strengthened the more. The sting of death is gone. The victory of the grave no more. The power of religion failed, the curse is broken and i am in the blessing. I am Ahraham's seed. I am a joint-heir with Christ! i am a son of God, I am God's righteousness. these truths were not just words on the pages of the bible but realities in my life. maturiy in spiritual things took a price but the dividends were measureless! The psalm of David, his song of ascents [degrees], Psalm 124 loomed up in my mind. I had made a song out of it some years back. The words were playing in my mental media player –– If it had not been the Lord on our side… thank You so much Lord… Mama Jade’s voice over the microphone brought me back to the present. She was giving her testimony. Hearing how great God had been in her life brought joy to my soul. Mama Jade shared about her divorces, hysterectomy, recreation of her uterus and the miracle of her pregnancy. I don’t think there was a dry eye in that room. We were all touched. Then she did something new and sweet. She asked everyone on each table to pair up in twos, find out each other’s names, birth dates and motherhood history. I was glad for the opportunity to fellowship one on one with the lady beside me. I found out she was a grandmother. Her son’s name was David. I explained to her that David was the middle name of my two sons. There was a little history behind that, but we discussed other issues. The lady was also a minister. She was the founder of WIN – Women in Newness. She had created that group from 2 Corinthians 5: 17. I thought what she was doing was wonderful. Her group educated women on who they were in Christ and presented resources for every stage of womanhood. I sure received her card. I told her that even though I could not join actively due to my unavailability (their meeting times clashed with a regular activity) I was going to promote their vision and support financially. She taught me their little chant which I repeated once because of the nice words. I am a woman in newness. I am a new creature in Christ Jesus. My path shines brighter and brighter each day. I am a woman in newness and I win, win win! The food was delicious as usual. I enjoyed the Broccoli, one of those non-tropical vegetables I thrive on. Moimoi was a constant delight. During the dance session I saw Korede, she took one look at my gele and sang Ewo gele gẹngẹ lori aji gbo tọkọ (behold the lovely headgear on a wife that cares for her husband didligently) - I smiled and said Jesu Kristi lọkọ mi (Jesus Christ is my Husband). I think the highlight of the evening was the closing prayer given by "Mama Goke – the male mother". This was Goke, baba Ifẹ, the Yoruba guy with an adopted daughter. I thought it was simply perfect, a man was doubling as a mum and dad, and loving it! With more men like him, there will be less motherless babies homes. I picked up my boys who had had a great time and on our way out, the lady that sat beside me gave me a basket. "This is for you." She stated, "I put this specially in my car for a single parent. I was a single parent and I know how it is. Happy mothers day." "Thank you." I replied, giving her a warm hug. That reminded me of last Christmas, while I was shopping and a lady came up to me, handed me some money and said "Merry Christmas". The favor of God upon my life is tremendous. His mercies truly are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness. In the car my sons were singing a chorus they had probably sang at the meeting. Their voices ministered to me and the words were edifying. Solomon's psalm (Psalm 127) came up in my memory - Children are a heritage of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is his reward, all the glory goes to God. My boys are gifts from God. They were created to glorify Christ and listening to them sing praise to God inspires me to keep serving Him. I was truly awed by God’s great love for me. He turned my darkness to light. I have déjà vu of dayenu.* I really don’t know why God loves me, but I’m grateful, glad and gleaming that He does! Derbrah writes courtesy of Agape for All Ministries. Author retains copyright. *Déjà vu here means a familiar feeling and dayenu means gratitude for the endless goodness of God. Jadesọla’s restaurant is a drama ministry of the Yoruba Christian Women (YCW), an international faith-based non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. Similarity of names and stories are coincidental. Feel free to copy for non-commercial use. Commercial use requires permission. For more information on YCW write Jesutoyin Ajikẹ-King (toyinking@yahoo.com).
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