The majesty of calmness week 19, 2014

They moved into the block of flats before me. I was allocated the ground floor whilst they were above me. It was an uneasy relationship.  I endured a lot of insults from them whilst they were here. I used to park directly in front of the building but occasionally someone from above would cough out and the sputum would land on the car. Occasionally someone would pour water down unto the car; once I narrowly missed being drenched as I entered my vehicle. I decided to change the place I park.

I planted a paw-paw tree and the children would pluck it without my permission. The children would also throw things down from on top; even condoms! On more than 3 occasions used sanitary pads were thrown down my side. I initially ignored it but drew the attention of some neighbours, and later their mother. She agreed it was wrong and said “If you were a wicked person you could have used it to harm them”. There was this incidence of the clothes line I laid. I specifically asked her not to put any clothes on it. I didn’t want anyone telling me I had moved their clothes. Well at a time she came down, cut the clothes line with a knife and threatened me with it. I did not engage her. What if she cut me with the knife? Eventually they dug holes, put up poles and tied wires across. When the wires gave way I simply packed it near the pole for them. 

I have received all manner of insults from them. She was well connected to influential men in Abuja; who do I know? If I invited the police I would have had to pay them, transport and feed them. She would have paid them also. My prayer was that God should put them where they belonged. It took many years for God to answer that prayer. In the years however I have learned patience and the majesty of calmness. The final incident was her fish farm. It brought an offensive odour as it was very near me. I wrote the sanitation authority over the matter. When I prayed on it I felt as though God said “Relax”. My younger sister also advised I leave them well alone lest if something happen to them I be accused of complicity. I listened and did not press the case but endured the occasional foul odour of the farm. I noticed her attitude towards me changed when I did not pursue the case. She listened more when I had complaints, and at a time brought some of the fish to give me. I accepted and thanked her, but she said “I am the one to thank you for allowing the farm to exist.” When a person's ways please the LORD, even his enemies will be at peace with him Prov 16:7(ISV).

They had been in court over the allocation of the flat. Not being civil servants they lacked a locus standii to bid for the flat when monetisation took place. It was sold at the 5^th bid and the new owner came to possess his flat. Despite a court injunction in their favour which kept him at bay for four years they did not move out. Eventually their property was thrown out on a Friday but they moved them back. This was barely ten months after the fish pond resolution. The new owner then removed all the doors and windows but also gave them money to move to a new place. That was about 12 months ago. She had been involved in an accident which left her wheelchair bound. A week ago unfortunately she passed away.

Felicia lives in Abuja`