Hmm... about 9 years ago I cried over a lost
cashew tree in the middle of my compound. I cried inconsolably; my dad asked me
to choose between the cashew tree and a new more comfortable house. We children were united in not wanting the
tree cut down and we all chose to spare the tree instead of having a new house. “The
cashew tree of course” I cried, my siblings cried. It was standing right where he planned a new
building. Well I didn’t see the need for a new house... what were we doing with
a new building, it didn’t mean anything to me (after all we were well accommodated in our own bungalow) but my
cashew tree... it was everything. I gave my dad my reasons why it should remain
where it was: it had a swing attached to it where we loved to play, it was
fruiting very well (it was among the most
fruitful in the compound and there was no other fruitful cashew tree there),
it was a very good shade... lots more. Well the matter was closed by my father;
he gasped at my answer, at our confident response and emotions and said “Well
in a few years time I’ll ask you the question again.” I responded “It will
still be the cashew tree!” He said nothing more to me. The tree was uprooted and the ground dug up with trenches. No more
swing, no more cashews from it. I mourned my lost tree.
Five years later the new house was completed and we excitedly packed
in. My dad now called us over and asked, “Which do you prefer now, the house or
the cashew tree?” I dodged the question; of course there was no comparison.
Sometimes you have to lose something precious to receive something bigger and a
lot more useful. The Kingdom of
heaven is like this. A man happens to find a treasure hidden in a field. He
covers it up again, and is so happy that he goes and sells everything he has,
and then goes back and buys that field Mat 13:44(GNB) .
When God takes away something precious from us
and still promises that He has greater plans, learn not to complain. Like the
child I was, not to see a beautiful house beyond the tree, so are we all blinded
by the beauty we cannot see... trust God in everything even though you have to
lose something really dear... (I still miss my cashew tree sha)
Beloved in this New Year
watch for the good things to set aside for their time is expired for the
destinies He is ushering us into. As when Jesus was to leave the earth for the
Holy Spirit to come in fullness upon all flesh. But now I am going to
him who sent me, yet none of you asks me where I am going. And now that I have told you, your hearts are
full of sadness. But I am telling you the truth: it is better for you that I go
away, because if I do not go, the Helper will not come to you. But if I do go away,
then I will send him to you
Jn 16:5-7(GNB).
Olaedo is an undergraduate with Unizik
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