₦airaland Forum

Hello Nairalanders!
I am a Christian/Gospel story teller and script-writer interested in a career in the Gospel film industry. To the glory of God Almighty, I’m here to share with you some Christian literatures that I wrote. I believe that there are other Christian/Gospel script-writers and story tellers on this forum and I will like us to come together and showcase our God-given talents here.
By the grace of God, I pray that each story written here will touch and impact lives positively and also win souls for Christ in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Feel free to add your own stories, either long or short, and leave your contact details beneath (optional though); you wouldn’t know who will be contacting you via this thread.

For other writers, please take note of the following:
1) Always begin with the Title of the story
2) Stories can be in form of Prose or Drama
3) Please take note of your Diction and Grammatical Errors (try as much as you can to proof-read and edit before posting)
4) Always write ‘THE END’ boldly at the end of each story
5) After each story, you may attach the Moral of the Story or Lessons Learnt

***Literary Criticisms or Commendations for any of the stories are allowed and appreciated.

All Rights Reserved: No story or part of the stories written here should be copied, reproduced or used elsewhere without prior permission of the writer. The writer should be notified and acknowledged appropriately.

Christian/Gospel stories only. No secular or non-Christian story is allowed on this thread.

Sincerely,
Amicable24

STORY 001
TITLE: THE PREACHER
Written by Amicable24

It’s a Wednesday morning in one of the busy streets of Lagos around 6:45a.m. Mr. Obiorah, a wealthy entrepreneur in his mid-thirties drives through this street to work and there is something spectacular that catches his attention each time he drives through this street to work. Mr. Obiorah always sees a young man his age, shabbily dressed as he presumed him to be, who stands at a corner in the street preaching the Gospel of Christ with so much zeal to as many that passed by and cared to listen. On driving close to the preacher, this wealthy entrepreneur often slows down, winds down his glass and says harshly to the preacher, ‘Fool! Don’t go and look for something better to do!’ Then he will wind back up and zoom off. Even before he finishes with the name-calling, the preacher, who is already used to Obiorah’s rants, calmly responds by saying, ‘Thank you sir. Do have a blessed day’.

After Obiorah must have driven past the preacher, he continues his journey to work by talking angrily to himself and speaking against the preacher and his likes. He says things like, 'Just look at the shirt he’s wearing, shirt from the 90s; he can’t even get a good tailor to slim fit it for him. When others are heading to their offices and places of work, this foolish preacher and his likes just leave their homes to make noise up and down the street. At the end of the day, they will request I give them money, my hard earned money… Fools!!’

This happened for several months until a particular day when Mr. Obiorah couldn’t hold it down anymore. It is a Friday morning and Obiorah already cancelled all his schedules at work for that day. He plans on talking it out with the preacher this morning, and just about 6:43a.m, he drives past the preacher as usual. He slowly went further to a parking lot close by and parked his car there. He could still see the zealous preacher from his car’s side and rear mirrors preaching joyfully. ‘I’ll wait for him’, he says, ‘even if he takes the whole day, I will wait for him. By the time I finish talking sense into his empty skull, he will stop coming out every morning to make noise. What rubbish?! How will a young man be wasting his youthful years preaching when his mates are inventing things that are changing lives technologically. This foolishness must end today. If he doesn’t have a job, I will offer him one in my company; Nonsense!’

Continues shortly...

... (Title: THE PREACHER) continues...

Mr. Obiorah kept on talking to himself in his car as he waited for the preacher to be through. Around 7:35a.m, the preacher rounded up his preaching and began to give out his gospel tracts as he makes his way home. Obiorah hurriedly stepped out of his car and ran to him, ‘Hey! Hey!!’ Obiorah shouted as he ran after the preacher.

The preacher looked behind him and saw Obiorah beckoning on him to wait. He smiles as he recognized Obiorah as the same man who has been calling him names for several months while he shared the gospel, and as Obiorah got close to him, the preacher calmly said, ‘Good morning sir; how have you been?’ Then he offered Obiorah one of his tracts but he wouldn’t collect.

‘I want to have a word with you right now!’ Obiorah yelled.
‘Okay, that won’t be a problem’, the preacher responded. ‘I’m all ears’.

They both walk few steps away from the road and stand beside one of the shops in the street.

‘Mr. Man, what is your problem? Why are you bent on disturbing the neighborhood at a time when you are supposed to be in your office or place of work?’ Obiorah angrily asked. ‘Don’t you have a job?!’

The preacher smiled and responded softly, ‘I’m a preacher sir’.

‘A preacher?! You mean you are just a preacher and nothing more?!
‘Yes sir, a preacher’.

Obiorah, still angry at the preacher, went on to ask him, ‘Do you have a family?’

‘Sure, I do. I have a wife and three children sir’.
‘Oh! I see. You have a wife and three children. So how do you cater for them if you have no other job than this noise you make daily?’

The preacher cheerfully responds, ‘I don’t make noise sir, I preach the Gospel of Christ and the Lord has been supplying all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus’.

Mr. Obiorah angrily cuts in, ‘Spare me that rubbish Mr. Man! That is how you people go about begging for financial aids here and there instead of looking for a good job to do in order to help yourself and your family’.
‘That’s not true sir. I don’t beg for financial aid. I meant it when I said that the Lord has been supplying all our needs. My wife is a seamstress and the Lord has blessed that little job of hers and used it to fend for the family’s needs’
‘A seamstress?!’ Mr. Obiorah yelled. ‘How much does a seamstress earn daily that can cater for a family of five? That’s not possible’.
‘There is nothing impossible with God sir’, the preacher calmly responded. ‘If the Lord can feed over five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish, then, fending for a family of five with the wages of a seamstress is a little thing for Him’.
‘Just shut up, you this fool’, replied Obiorah. ‘Just look at the way you are shabbily dressed, coming out here to preach daily. I can see you are just being lazy and inconsiderate. Just look at how you’ve placed such a huge burden on your wife, making her to cater for the whole family with her little earning while you lazy about every day. Can’t you look for a better job in order to take up your responsibility as the man that you are and fend for your family? See, if you can’t get a good job, I will offer you one in my company’.

‘Thank you for your care sir’, the preacher responded with a smile, ‘but then, I must do the work of Him who sent me here and finish it’. He takes a deep breath then continues, ‘I used to work with a multinational company that pays very well some years ago, but since the Lord called me into this ministry, I had to surrender all to Him and follow Him’.
‘You used to work with a multinational company?’ Obiorah asked surprisingly.
‘Yes sir’, the preacher responded, ‘but I gave up all that for this ministry’.
‘I don’t get it. Couldn’t you have been working with the company and continued with the preaching? Must you leave the company just because you want to become a preacher?’

‘My dear’, the preacher calmly replied, ‘God can call and use anybody from any social or economic class. It all depends on the availability of that individual for God’s work. In my own case, while I was working with the multinational company as a Christian and born again, I faced so many challenges and it got to a point I began to give in to the challenges, putting my faith in Christ at a risk. I began to lower my standards just to please my superiors and earn promotions at my office, but God wasn’t happy with me. I began to please men and my flesh and displeased God. Before I knew it, I have backslidden far away from the faith. It took the grace and mercy of God to bring me back to Him. When I realized how far away I was from God due to the job, I made the decision to quit and go into full time ministry seeing it is the call of God upon my life’.

‘Hmm, don’t you regret that decision of yours?’ asked Mr. Obiorah who now felt pity for the preacher.
‘Not anymore sir. I used to regret the decision when I first started seeing that I could no longer give my family the kind of luxury I promised them, but the Lord has always assured me that He will never leave nor forsake me. He has been sustaining me and my family all these years. Even my wife has been really supportive of this ministry and hasn’t taunted me even for a day. She loves the Lord with all of her heart and is ready to go with Him wherever He leads. She believes this is God’s calling for us and has no objection about it’.

...Continues shortly...

... (Title: THE PREACHER) continues...

Mr. Obiorah, standing right before the preacher, looks away, deep in his own thoughts with arms akimbo. The preacher notices it and calls his attention back as he places his right hand over Obiorah’s shoulders.

‘Is anything the matter sir?’

Obiorah sighs and feigns a smile. ‘Nothing at all, I’m fine’.

At this point, the preacher knew something was wrong with the young entrepreneur, so he pressed on; ‘Come on sir, I know something isn’t right with you. Your countenance changed suddenly after I shared my story with you. Is there anything you want to talk about? I’m all ears sir, please share it’.

Obiorah looks deep into the preacher’s eyes for a moment and then opens up to him; ‘It’s about my parents’.

‘Your parents? What about them?’ the preacher asked.
‘I think I’ve not been a good son to them’, Obiorah responded as he tries to hide the tear drops rolling down his cheeks by looking away.
The preacher pats his back and calms him down; ‘It’s okay sir. But what makes you think you’ve not been a good son to them?’

‘I am the only child of my parents and my parents are also very passionate about the work of God just as you are’, then he pauses.
‘Yes? Go ahead sir, I’m all ears’, said the preacher.
‘When I was still a teenager, I went with my parents all over town to evangelize with them. Then I got a full scholarship to study Entrepreneurship abroad after my secondary education’. Obiorah pauses again as he takes a deep breath. The preacher listened attentively as he continues; ‘In my first year in school abroad, I preached God’s Word to those I came across and led some to Christ, but there were these particular set of people in the school who often mocked me each time our paths crossed. It got to a point, I began to feel ashamed of the Gospel of Christ and before the end of my first year, I left the faith and became one with the ungodly’.

‘Oh my God!’ exclaimed the preacher. He pats Obiorah who has been trying so hard to control himself from crying.

Obiorah wipes his eyes with his handkerchief as he continues, ‘I began to despise my parents and everyone who holds on to the faith. I stopped checking on my parents and won’t even receive their calls whenever they tried to reach me because they kept encouraging me to stay in Christ no matter what. I felt for them so much, but pretended like I never cared about them so as to please my new friends abroad who don’t believe in the existence of any God. Those friends helped me financially and accommodated me, so I never wanted to get on their bad side. After I completed my B.Sc. degree, things worked out fine for me and I pursued a Masters degree. I never came back home to my parents throughout my stay abroad. When I finally returned home after about seven years of study, I became so ashamed of living with my parents’.

At this juncture, Obiorah couldn’t hide the tears anymore. The preacher held him by his arm and walked few steps to the front of a shop close by where they both sat down to continue with the conversation.

...Continues shortly...

... (Title: THE PREACHER) continues...

After some moments, Obiorah continues; ‘My parents welcomed me back home with joy and open arms despite how I have refused to reach out to them when I was abroad. That never bothered them. They noticed I have been far away from Christ and tried to bring me back to Him, but I blatantly refused. At a point, after spending just few weeks with them, I left the house for them and got an apartment far away from them because the friends I kept will be mad at me if I stayed with them. I’m doing very well in business and have houses of my own. I have even supported many families financially while my own parents are finding it difficult to survive. The last I heard of my parents from a close relative is that they have relocated back to the village. I couldn’t help them in any way because the friends I keep are all over me monitoring my every movement. Anytime I tried to reach out to my parents, they will talk me out of it and convince me that they are fine. They made me feel like my parents don’t care about me because I don’t believe in their God. They further convinced me that their God should take care of them since they had so much faith in Him’.

‘My God!’ said the preacher, ‘this is saddening. I can imagine the kind of pain you’ve put your parents through. Ah! It is well’

‘I used to feel for my parents but I’ve vowed never to help them because they still held on to the faith and refused to renounce it so that I can help them. I have been trying so hard to forget about them, but each time I drive through this street to work, seeing you make me remember them because that’s the same way they went about preaching from street to street. I feel so guilty and I just wish they can renounce the faith so that I can reach out to them and bring them to live with me’.

The preacher sighed and asked Obiorah, ‘What makes you think it’s your wealth that your parents need? Don’t you think they are more interested in your soul and that you should return to Christ and be born again? Or do you think God has forsaken them and wouldn’t cater for their needs?’

‘Now that’s the problem’, Obiorah responded. ‘I don’t want to leave my social and economic status, become shabbily dressed and carry my Bible from street to street to preach just because I’m a child of God. Isn’t that what being born again is all about?’

The preacher responded with a smile, ‘You are getting it all wrong sir. Nobody is asking you to leave your social and economic status, dress shabbily like you call it and all that. But then, you cannot have two masters over your life. You cannot serve God and mammon’.

‘How do you mean?’ asked Obiorah.
‘You see, you can’t hold on so tight to the treasures of this world and still hold on to God. Whatever you place so much value on more than the Almighty God becomes your god and master. Just as you are, you can still return to Christ, your Saviour, by humbling yourself before Him and also ask for His mercy upon your life. You can still continue with your business, but you have to put God first in everything that concerns you before anything or anyone else’.

‘Hmm!!’ exclaimed Obiorah. ‘My friends… My friends will…’
‘Will mock you?’ asked the preacher.
‘Yes’, replied Obiorah.

The preacher holds Obiorah’s palms and gently tells him ‘My dear, it’s high time you stopped listening to those ungodly friends of yours and make it right with your Maker. It’s better for the world to ridicule you while you are one with God instead of being friends with the world and an enemy of God. The Bible says in Isaiah 55 verse 7, let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord and the Lord will have mercy upon him. ’. He pauses a little then continues, ‘I don’t want you to leave here today without making the decision to return to Christ. You have to rededicate your life back to Him and welcome Him into your heart as your Lord and only Saviour’.

The preacher takes a moment to give Obiorah room to think about it. Obiorah is speechless, he just gazed into the air in a sober way while the preacher spoke to him.

Then the preacher continues, ‘Please sir, don’t be a prodigal son to your parents anymore and stop heeding to the advice of your ungodly friends. Just look at how they have successfully turned your heart away from your parents who brought you up in a loving and godly manner. Please return to your Maker right now, okay?’

Obiorah shakes off his hands from the preacher’s. ‘I’m sorry I don’t think I can do what you’re asking me. That wasn’t my intention of coming to meet you here and I’m not ready yet for all these’.

The preacher says softly, ‘Please sir, do this right now; If not for anything, at least for the sake of your parents whom you’ve abandoned for so long. I can tell they are grieving for you. Why not surrender your life to Christ here and now and resolve to go back to your parents to ask for their forgiveness?’

‘Ah! Ah!! No! No way!! I can’t do this’, Obiorah groans.
‘You can do it sir’, responded the preacher. ‘The Lord will give you the grace and you can do all things through Christ Who strengthens you’.

The preacher begins to pray silently even as he encourages Obiorah with the Word of God. Finally, Mr. Obiorah gives in to the preacher’s words and kneels before him tearfully. The preacher rejoiced and gave thanks to God. He prays for Obiorah who welcomes Jesus back into his life.

After some days, Obiorah traveled to the village to see his parents and to ask for their forgiveness. His parents were overwhelmed with joy that God has finally answered their prayers concerning the salvation of their son. He made peace with his parents and brought them to live with him in the city.

Obiorah stopped heeding to the advice of his ungodly friends. He led some of them to Christ while the others parted ways with him seeing him as a foolish man.

He continued in his business as an entrepreneur and also as a born again. He has since been close friends with the preacher.

THE END

Expecting constructive criticisms and commendations on every story shared on this thread. I'm also expecting other writers to send in their stories/scripts too as the Spirit leads.

I'll be sharing the stories I have written here in the Literature section via https://www.nairaland.com/5964524/thread-christian-gospel-literature-stories. So you can always check that too to know when a new story has been added by other writers

Your comments are highly appreciated.

this is nice. I will be sharing mine but that will be later. my story will real and fiction

delkuf:
this is nice. I will be sharing mine but that will be later. my story will real and fiction

Wow, I'll be expecting yours sir

STORY 002
Title: A FALL FROM GRACE
Written by Amicable24

ACT ONE
SCENE ONE (Kingdom of God Church)

[It’s an afternoon during deliverance session at Kingdom of God’s Church. A group of people in the Prayers and Intercessory department of the church are gathered together praying vigorously over a young boy about twelve years of age who is said to be demon-possessed. As they are praying, the boy began to convulse. The team just continued praying, but from the look of things, they are tired and at the verge of giving up on the boy. Just then, Michael, the leader of the department, signaled to Godwin, one of the team members, to meet him outside while the others kept on praying]

GODWIN: [Just as they both stepped outside the church building.] You called me sir.
MICHAEL: Yes, I did. [He rubs his face with his right palm expressing worry] Eeerm, I think we are losing the boy. We’ve been praying for over three hours now but he keeps convulsing.

GODWIN: You’re right sir. [He looks away] If only Pastor Bode was here
MICHAEL: Yes! You know what’s on my mind. I want you to go to his house and plead with him to come here immediately.
GODWIN: But sir, he just returned from camp early this morning after spending about two weeks there. He should be resting by now and I don’t think it will be nice to disturb him

MICHAEL: Brother Godwin… [He points towards the church where the other prayer members are gathered] Can’t you see the matter on ground? We need brother Bode’s gift of healing and deliverance now since we can’t handle it on our own; or have you quickly forgotten how Jesus Christ was called upon to rescue a situation His disciples couldn’t handle in the book of Matthew chapter seventeen verses fourteen to twenty-one? Don’t let that boy’s parents to be disappointed and mock us for not being able to deliver their son from the demon possessing him. Now, run quickly to brother Bode’s house and tell him to come with you immediately that this is urgent. Run now!

GODWIN: Okay sir [he runs to Bode’s house]

[Few minutes later, Pastor Bode, who is the Church’s assistant pastor, Prayer Coordinator and a very close friend of Michael, is seen running into the church with his Bible in his hand as Godwin runs after him. He gets close to the team who are relieved as they see him. He observes the boy, who just looks at him angrily while sitting on the floor]


BODE: [Walks round the boy, still observing him. He hands his Bible to one of the team members and places his hands on the boy’s head, holding him down as he tries to be aggressive. Then he prays…] In the power in the Name of Jesus Christ, I command you unclean spirit to leave this body now! Leave!! In Jesus’ Name
THE PRAYER TEAM: Amen!
[The boy lay on the floor shaking]

BODE: Thank You Jesus. [He squats close to the boy and places his right hand on his head] Peace, be still. You are healed in Jesus’ Name. The boy stops shaking, Bode lifts him up and hands him to the team] He is well now.
MICHAEL: Thank You Jesus. [He moves closer to the boy and asks him…] Boluwatife, how are you?

BOLUWATIFE: I’m fine sir

MICHAEL: [Waves his hand to express thanksgiving to God] Oh! Thank You Lord. [He hands the boy to one of the sisters in the team] Sister Kate, please take him to his parents.
KATE: Alright sir. [She held Boluwatife and they both walk out]

...Continues shortly...

SCENE TWO (In a Street)

[Moments later on a street, after the deliverance. Michael is seen walking with Bode. They are having a conversation as they walk]
MICHAEL: My Pastor [he smiles happily], thank you once again for saving us from that situation. Could you believe that we’ve been praying for more than three hours before you arrived with no positive result?
BODE: Brother Michael, why are you sounding like I healed the boy by my own power? Let’s give all glory to Jesus for delivering the boy

MICHAEL: You’re right Brother Bode. God be praised. We are indeed very sorry for calling you to come over in a short notice despite the fact that you just returned from camp and should be resting.
BODE: That’s not a problem Brother Mike. I think the Lord wanted me to come over at that particular time. I have been trying to catch some sleep since I returned but couldn’t before I heard Godwin knocking and calling my name. From the sound of his voice, I already knew it was urgent. So, before I opened the door, I quickly dressed up, picked up my Bible and went to meet him

MICHAEL: You really did well. I wish God can give me the kind of grace and gift that you have. You know, like the case of Elijah and Elisha [he chuckles]
BODE: [Laughs gently] Are you now envious of my gift, brother Michael?
MICHAEL: No o, not at all. But it won’t be a bad idea if I have it [they both laugh]. God has really used you to rescue us out of several situations which we couldn’t handle. I thank God for you brother Bode

[They continue with the conversation as they walk. Scene fades]


SCENE THREE (At Bode’s House)

[Bode is at home in his sitting room with his wife, Shola, relaxing this Saturday evening. He is reading through a newspaper while Shola’s is watching a program on television].
SHOLA: [Looks at her husband in admiration] Honey, I really thank God for all the wonderful things He is doing for us in this family and in the church. Look at how God has been using you to work great miracles and healing in the lives of many people. You healed mummy Victor of the pains she has been having in her stomach for many months; you prayed for brother Lucky who has been looking for a good job in a long time and he got one; You prayed for Wale and his wife who have been barren for five years after marriage and she conceived; and just yesterday, you delivered a young boy who is demon possessed even after the other prayer warriors couldn’t deliver him.
BODE: [Cuts in] Shola?! Haba!! Look at the way you are sounding like it’s by my power all those things happened.

SHOLA: My dear, I know it’s by the power and grace of God that you were able to do all that, but one mustn’t fail to appreciate the vessel whom God has used to carry out the work.
BODE: Eeehn, but the way you just said it looked as if I am doing it in my own effort. You even had to bring in yesterday’s issue by saying other prayer warriors couldn’t deliver the boy. That’s not right at all.

SHOLA: What’s not right Bode? I just said the truth. If they were able to deliver the boy, why did Godwin rush down here to call you saying it’s very urgent? Something must be wrong with them somewhere. Maybe a secret sin or something, only God knows?
BODE: I’m not going to have this conversation with you. [He folds up the newspaper he is holding and stands up] All that I want you to know is that in our service to God, we need one another for the ministry to move forward. They needed me yesterday and called for me. My joy is that God healed the boy and delivered him from the demon that has been tormenting him and I give God all the glory for that. Don’t go about praising me like it was by my power and don’t you ever talk down on others in that manner again [he turns to leave the sitting room]

SHOLA: [Stands up to apologize to him] [/i]Okay dear, I’m sorry for sounding that way. It was a slip of the tongue. Dear I said I’m sorry.
BODE: [i][Stops and turns to her] Just don’t do it again okay?
SHOLA: [She nods her head in affirmation] Aaargn aaargn, are you angry at me? [She moves closer to him and hugs him] I said I’m sorry now, please forgive me, pleeeeaaaaasee…

BODE: Alright, I have. I just don’t like it when you talk that way. You are a woman of God, a Pastor’s wife, so you should live and act like one. Promise me you’ll never say such again.
SHOLA: I promise [she tickles and plays with him. Scene fades]

...Continues shortly...

SCENE FOUR (On a Street)

[Bode is seen walking alone one evening. As he walked, he gently sang a worship song. Suddenly, two sisters, Aanu and Funmi, ran after him shouting his name from afar]

BOTH SISTERS: Pastor Bode! Pastor Bode!! [They keep calling and running after him]

[Bode hears his name and stops, looking surprised to see the two sisters running towards him]
BODE: [Surprised at the urgency in the tone of their voices] Yes? [He moves towards them] What is the matter?
AANU: [Panting as a result of the long run] Good evening sir
BODE: [Looks worried] Yes, good evening. Please calm down and tell me what the matter is

FUNMI: [Also panting] Sir, it’s our mum
BODE: Okay, what about her?
FUNMI: She slumped some moments ago and has been rushed to a nearby hospital. We’ve been sent to look for you and bring you to the hospital so that you can pray for her sir.
BODE: Where is the hospital?

AANU: It’s just a street away from our church.
BODE: Okay, let’s go. [He runs with them to the hospital]

[Later that same day, Bode is seen walking home after he had been to the hospital. He speaks in his mind as he walks]

BODE: Thank You Lord for delivering that woman from the point of death. [He sighs and thinks deeply] But why couldn’t the prayers of the clergy men there bring her back to normalcy? Must these people always call me into their every problem, like I’m the only one God hears and answers his prayers? My wife, Shola, must be right when she said something is wrong somewhere. Could it be that God doesn’t hear their prayers because of their wayward lifestyle or probably a secret sin they are indulging in? Even Michael who is the leader of the Prayers and Intercessory Department often calls me in situations that they can’t handle. There must be something wrong with Michael and the others. They must be indulging in one secret sin or the other and that is why God doesn’t answer him when he prays concerning some difficult situations. Anyway, that’s their business. Let them keep calling me to rescue them while I keep moving higher. [He continues soliloquizing as scene fades]

...Continues shortly...

SCENE FIVE (At Pastor Bode’s Office in the Church)

[Bode is seen in his office one day having a conversation with Michael, the leader of the Prayers and Intercessory Department of the church]

MICHAEL: My Pastor, I am forever grateful to God for having someone like you in our midst. You are a genuine and anointed man of God who has the power of the Almighty all over him. Since our days in Theological school where we first met, I’ve always known you as an outstanding individual, one full of grace.
BODE: Thank you brother Mike, it is the Lord’s doing.
MICHAEL: Indeed, it is the Lord’s doing.
BODE: Yes, and you can even become like me or even do better
MICHAEL: Hmm, I pray so o.

BODE: It’s not a matter of just praying o, Michael. You see, you need to go to God and confess every secret sin you have been committing so that He can forgive you and empower you to be just like me.
MICHAEL: [Looks surprised] Eeerm, sorry brother Bode, I don’t understand what you’re driving at.
BODE: Look here Michael, don’t even pretend. I have examined you and the others and noticed that it can only be a secret sin that has hindered you from enjoying God’s free gift of healing.

MICHAEL: [Shocked to hear that] Bode! Are you saying I have a secret sin which has hindered me from enjoying… Oh my God!
BODE: Yes Michael, it is only sin that can separate man from God. Okay, let me refresh your memory [he takes his Bible from the table and opens it]. Listen brother Michael, the Bible says in Isaiah chapter fifty-nine verses one and two that the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, neither is His ear heavy that it cannot hear, but your iniquities, did you hear that Michael, [he repeats it loudly] your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hid His face from you that He will not hear [he drops the Bible on his table and looks at Michael with a stern face]
MICHAEL: [Gets up and stares at Bode, still surprised at his words] Brother Bode!! I can’t believe you are the one saying this. Why have you allowed Satan to have his way into your life through the sin of pride?

BODE: Pride? I’m not proud brother Michael; I’m only telling you the truth here. Go back to God and confess all your secret sins to him so that He can forgive you and empower you to heal the sick, raise the dead and deliver demons, just like I do. You people are placing so much burden on me calling me to come to your rescue even at odd hours, honestly I’m tired of all that. Isn’t God’s grace free anymore? Confess and forsake your sins to God so that He can have mercy on you and restore you with the power and gift of healing.
MICHAEL: [Shakes his head sorrowfully] May God have mercy on you brother Bode [he turns and leaves the office].
BODE: [Speaking to Michael as he makes his way out of his office] Michael, you need that mercy more than I do. I just revealed a simple truth to you, the best you should do is seek the face of God and ask for His mercy, not this attitude you’re displaying [he hisses and arranges the books on his table. Scene fades]

...Continues shortly...

SCENE SIX (At Bode’s House)

[It’s six o’clock in the morning inside Bode’s bedroom and he is still in bed with his wife, Shola, when the alarm clock starts ringing. They both wake up and said their morning prayers]

SHOLA: [Immediately after the devotion] Honey, I’m not feeling too well. I think I have a fever.
BODE: Fever? [He places his hand on his wife’s head and says a simple prayer, rebuking the fever; after which he tells her...] Dear, you are healed okay?
SHOLA: Amen
BODE: Just get some rest, you still have about an hour to prepare for work. I have to rush to the office now, we have a very important meeting this morning. You are healed already [he gets up to prepare for the meeting]

[Later in the evening, Bode returns from office and enters his room. He finds his wife still in bed]

BODE: [He drops his briefcase and walks to the bed where his wife lay]. Honey, what’s the matter? [He examines her body] Have you been sleeping all day? I tried calling you severally but your lines are switched off. You left me worried.
SHOLA: [Talks faintly] Dear, after you left, I tried to prepare for work too but the fever held me down.
BODE: Fever? The same fever I already rebuked in the morning?

SHOLA: [Nods in affirmation]. I have been in bed all day and have been waiting for you to return so that you can take me to the hospital. I was too weak to even get my phone on the table. It has been switched off since last night. We need to go to the hospital
BODE: Hospital? [He checks his wife’s temperature with his hand] Your temperature is quite high, but it’s not a matter of hospital [he takes off his tie and folds the sleeves of his shirt]. My dear, you need divine healing. This is something I do for other people and you are no exception. Let me pray for you [he holds her hands], I believe after the prayers you will be fine, okay?
SHOLA: Alright dear.

BODE: [He prays] Father in the Name of Jesus, I thank you for my wife for I know and believe you have healed her already. If I be a man of God, I prophesy total healing on this body right now in Jesus’ Name
SHOLA: [Still talking faintly] Amen
BODE: It is well dear; you are healed, so cheer up [he smiles]. Let me go freshen up. By the way, have you had anything?

SHOLA: No, I’m not hungry
BODE: No dear, you’ll have to eat something. You are very weak because you’ve not had anything since morning. Just give me few minutes to freshen up and get us something to eat. I’ll be back [he gets up and unbuttons his shirt. Scene fades]

...Continues shortly...

SCENE SEVEN (Three days later in a hospital)

[Bode is seen praying tearfully beside his ailing wife]

BODE: Lord, what is happening to my wife? You’ve never allowed me to be in this kind of situation before where I will pray for a sick person and the person won’t receive healing. Lord, why Shola? It’s been three days now but she’s not getting any better, Lord why? Please if she has sinned in any way to deserve this, I ask for your mercy Lord. I have prayed for many sick people even with worse conditions and they received healing, why is Shola’s case different? Please have mercy on us Lord.

[At night still in the hospital, Bode is seen sleeping in a chair close to his wife. Then he has a dream where he is seen boasting of his power to deliver souls from demonic attacks and all kinds of illnesses. Then an angel appears to him in the dream and tells him how he has fallen from grace and is now moving in his own strength. The angel reveals to him that he doesn’t give God all the glory anymore, which is why he has been unable to heal his wife of a simple fever which has degenerated into something else. The angel tells him that the Lord is using the condition of his wife to warn him to desist from the sin of pride. The angel also tells him to go back to his Source and ask for mercy so that he can be renewed with strength, because without his Source, he can do nothing; referencing John 15:5 and James 4:6-7]

BODE: [Wakes up suddenly from sleep in the middle of the night, meditates on the dream and feels very sorry; then he prays sorrowfully…] Thank You Jesus for the revelation. Indeed, I have fallen from grace into the sin of pride. I have boasted of my powers to heal the sick, raise the dead, deliver souls and all that like it was by my power and not by God’s free grace. [He kneels on the floor close to his wife] Please forgive me Lord and help me to sin no more. Hear my prayers Lord. Please look upon my wife and heal her in the power of your mighty Name. Please have mercy on me, O Lord, in Jesus Name, Amen. [Scene fades].

...Continues shortly...

SCENE EIGHT (In one of the Church’s Meeting Room)

[Bode is seen with about five other heads in the Church including Michael. They are having a meeting]

BODE: [Talks calmly to the others] Fellow brethren, the Lord has indeed opened my eyes to see how deep I have fallen into the sin of pride. I was busy pointing accusing fingers on you all thinking that your sins are the cause of your prayers not answered during healing and deliverance sessions. Now, I have come to the realization that it is very wrong to lay false claims on anyone. Please brethren, you all have to forgive me, especially you, brother Mike [he looks at Michael who just nods his head]. Please forgive me and pray for my wife and I. The Lord used a simple fever to humble me and made me unable to heal her just as the Lord helped me to heal others in the past. I have truly learned a lesson from this. Please brethren, brother Mike, [Bode kneels as he faces them], forgive me and pray for my wife’s healing. The Lord has told me to confess my sins to you so that you can pray for me and for my wife’s healing. Please forgive me [he weeps while still kneeling]

MICHAEL: [Stands up and walks close to him, placing his hands on Bode’s shoulders] It’s okay brother Bode. I have forgiven you long ago and I have nothing against you, honestly. [He beckons on the others to stand up in prayers for Bode, and then he continues…] Brother Bode, we thank the Lord for showing you mercy and bringing you back to Him, for the Bible says in the book of Proverbs chapter twenty-eight verse thirteen that he who covers his sins will not prosper, but he that confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. We also thank God for using your wife’s case to humble you and make you acknowledge your errors. Even as you have confessed your sins before us, we pray that the Almighty God forgive you and in Jesus’ Name
ALL: Amen!

MICHAEL: [Continues praying] And as for your wife, Shola, we pray for her too that the Lord will have mercy on her and heal her speedily in Jesus’ Name
ALL: Amen!!
MICHAEL: It is well with your soul brother Bode, and we destroy every evil work of Satan against you, your household and your ministry in Jesus’ Name
ALL: Amen!!!

MICHAEL: [Waves his hand in appreciation to God] Thank You Jesus, thank You Lord for I know that you have heard and answered us already. All glory be to Your Holy name forevermore. [He lifts Bode up and assures him…] Bode, your wife is well already. Go and take her home
BODE: Thank you sir [he hugs him and then looks at the others in appreciation], thank you so much [he hugs them too then runs to the hospital to take his wife home as prophesied by Michael. Scene fades]

THE END!

Do well to send in your comments, literary criticisms and/or commendation.

Thank you

STORY 003
TITLE: NEVER AGAIN (Part One)
Written by Amicable24

It’s a funeral service at St. Bartholomew’s Church of one of its senior pastors, Pastor Kennedy Odili fondly called Pastor Kay. There in the church, with Pastor Kay’s body enclosed in a golden-brown casket, Reverend Dr. Dele Matthew, a reverend in the church, is giving a renowned funeral sermon reminding those assembled for the funeral that anyone who has passed on in faith, just like Pastor Kay, will have eternal life with Christ. Right in front of Reverend Dele, in the very front row of the pew, is Mrs. Odili crying uncontrollably for the loss of her husband and is being surrounded by about three women from the church consoling her. As Mrs. Odili wept, her two children, Kate and Junior, being about six and three years respectively, sat right there with her crying, knowing little or nothing about what has happened.

The atmosphere in the church is one of grief for the bereaved and everyone seems to mourn sorrowfully for Pastor Kay’s demise except for Rose, a twenty year old young lady, who lives with the Odilis as a house help. She just sat there, alone in one of the pews at the back row, all by herself with a lot running through her mind - ‘Thank God he’s gone forever’, she says inwardly; ‘Just look at how these people are wasting their tears for a monster who doesn’t deserve it’. Occasionally, she feigned a sorrowful look when anyone looks her way, but deep inside of her is a mix of joy and resentment for the demise.

...Continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN) Continues...

As the sermon proceeded, Rose began to recapture the past of how she came and has been living with the Odilis. She was nine years old when she was brought from the village to live with the Odilis in the city who just got married at that time. In the first three years of her stay at the Odilis, things went well for her and the couple treated her like their own child seeing they had no child of their own then. When Rose turned thirteen, Mrs. Odili conceived after about three years of marriage. Since then, things began to gradually turn sour for Rose as she was no longer treated like a daughter to the couple but a maid that she is. The would-be parents were so excited about the pregnancy that they cared less of Rose’s wellbeing. In fact, things got worse when Mrs. Odili got a promotion in her work place just six months after she gave birth to her first child Kate. Her job became so demanding that she hardly had the time for her husband and little Kate. As a teenager, Rose was saddled with the responsibility of caring for the baby and Pastor Kay whenever Mrs. Odili is away.

Stressed from work, Mrs. Odili often came back home and transferred her aggression to poor Rose who must have been working all day caring for little Kate and Pastor Kay who comes home early each day after work. Mrs. Odili wouldn’t hesitate to hit Rose with any available object close to her at little provocation. Rose began to be displeased in her sight as whatever Rose did, she must find errors in it. Even when Pastor Kay tried to talk to his wife about her attitude towards Rose, she wouldn’t listen; she will rather accuse her husband of being a hypocrite seeing he also inflicts injuries on Rose whenever he is provoked. Rose turned out to be the punch bag which the couple turned to in order to vent all their anger upon.

...Continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN) Continues...

Rose was both physically and emotionally abused by the Odilis whom people from the church and environs held in high esteem. They saw the Odilis as a calm, peace loving and God fearing couple who wouldn’t hurt a fly. Very few had their doubts about the Odilis, especially after seeing injuries inflicted on their house help, but they wouldn’t say a word about it because the Odilis were highly respected in church and in the society. In fact, to most people, Pastor Kay is such a nice man with a wife who has a heart of gold. Well, that is what the Odilis portrayed themselves to be but Rose knew them to be monsters, wolves in sheep clothing, nothing near to godly. After each assault meted out on Rose by the Odilis, she was threatened by the couple never to say anything that will tarnish their image to anyone who comes visiting or outside the house. They encouraged her to tell lies about the injuries she got from the ill treatment otherwise they will either kill her or send her back to her poor village to wallow in poverty. Rose dreaded the thought of dying or going back to her village, so she made up her mind to live by the rules of Pastor Kay and his wife without saying anything that will dent the couple’s image. She endured all emotional and physical abuse inflicted on her by the couple and wouldn’t open up to all those asking about the injuries on her body. She even began to keep to herself so as to avoid those always prying into her private life and her stay with the Odilis. People saw her as a weirdo; even her friends dissociated from her not knowing that she had a lot that she was passing through. Some of the members of their church even thought that Rose must have been possessed with some evil spirits who want to bring down the wonderful and peace loving Pastor Kay.

When the Odili’s daughter, Kate, turned two, Rose being sixteen, Mrs. Odili conceived again. She had pregnancy complications at some points which made her spend the little time she would have spent at home after work in the hospital. Her absence began to be felt in the house and she was encouraged by her husband, Pastor Kay, to quit her job so that she can ease the stress on herself and have her baby successfully, but she wouldn’t heed to that advice. She has worked so many years to attain the level at which she is in her workplace and was just few steps to clinch the top managerial role. She chose her career over her home because she saw many benefits that will come with her attaining the top spot in her workplace. ‘This is surely not the time to quit this job’, she often tells her husband; ‘We will scale through this, okay? Let the baby we are expecting not be a hindrance to something I have worked so hard to achieve’. Mrs. Odili often has a way of making her husband to agree to her demands and she got this too. At times, the job required her to travel outside the country to attend conferences where she will be representing her organization for weeks.

...Continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN) Continues...

Rose will never forget an occasion when Mrs. Odili was far away from home attending a conference abroad. She was at home that Saturday with Pastor Kay and little Kate who was about two years of age at that time. Pastor Kay gave her some of his clothes to wash and iron and while she was ironing one of the shirts, it got burnt. When Rose took the shirt to him to plead and apologize for her error, Pastor Kay grabbed her by her hair back to where the iron was which Rose had already unplugged from the power source, but the iron was still very hot. Pastor Kay, without flinching, raised the hot iron from the table and burnt Rose’s left arm with it which has left an ugly scar on that arm till date. She cried out her eyes that day and still got some punches from Pastor Kay who ordered her to shut her mouth up in order not to attract the neighbours with her outcry. That day, Rose made up her mind to return to her village which she dreaded so much. She had left her poor village with the hope of making it big in the city before returning, but now, the hope has been dashed. She preferred to return to her poor widowed mother and her siblings to suffer hunger and hardship instead of this ill treatment she’s getting from her supposed caregivers. She made up her mind to communicate this decision with Mrs. Odili once she returns from her trip.

Two days after the incident, at about 4:30p.m, Mrs. Odili returned home in the company of her friends, associates and members of their church who came to welcome her. Rose was locked up in her room by Pastor Kay due to the wound on her arm which was still very noticeable. She was warned never to make any noise until all the guests had left. Rose just used the opportunity to pack all her belongings together deciding to leave the house the next morning whether the Odilis like it or not. Some hours later, after all the guests had gone, at about 7:45p.m, Pastor Kay unlocked the door to Rose’s room, opened it and saw her sitting quietly and staring at the floor. ‘Go and clean up the sitting room, it’s in a mess right now’, Pastor Kay ordered her; ‘and be fast with it so you can make dinner because I’m so hungry’, he said and left, leaving the door opened. Rose stood up and went downstairs to the sitting room to clean it up. While she was at it, Mrs. Odili came by to pick up her mobile phone which she left on the couch.

‘Good evening ma, welcome back home ma’, said Rose.

Mrs. Odili looked at Rose with disgust, her protruding stomach evident that she’s in her trimester. ‘Rose, my husband told me of all the nonsense you have been doing while I was away. I can see your stupidity is becoming too much right?’

‘I’m sorry ma’, Rose responded as she stood still, slightly exposing her left arm for Mrs. Odili to notice the wound, hoping to get a sympathy for the ill treatment meted on her by her husband.

‘Oh! That?’ Mrs. Odili said as she pointed at the wounded arm, ‘My husband already told me about that too. You are just lucky it wasn’t my cloth you got burnt, if not, I would have used the hot iron all over your face, stupid girl!’ she said as she picked up her phone and left the sitting room.

...Continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN) Continues...

Rose stood still, crying bitterly, regretting the day she accepted to live with these monsters. She managed to finish up with the cleaning and also arranged dinner. As she set the table, Mrs. Odili was in the sitting room watching T.V while Pastor Kay was in his room.
Rose said inwardly while she set the table, ‘I have to tell her about my decision now that she’s here. I’m leaving this house tomorrow morning. I can’t spend another night here; this must be my last night in this house. Let me quickly tell her before her husband comes out to complicate things’. When she was through, she walked into the sitting room to inform Mrs. Odili.

‘The food is ready ma’, said Rose

‘Okay, have you informed my husband?’

‘I will ma’, Rose responded then walked closer to Mrs. Odili.

‘Rose! Are you okay? I said you should go and inform my husband that the table is set’, Mrs. Odili yelled at her.

‘I will do so ma’, Rose said feeling jittery, ‘I just want to tell you something ma’

‘You want to tell me something?’ Mrs. Odili asked wondering what Rose wanted to tell her. ‘Okay, I’m all ears Rose, what is it?’

‘Eeerm, ma… please ma… I want to… I want to…’

‘Rose, you want to… what? What are you saying’, Mrs. Odili demanded.

‘Ma, please, I want to… to go back home to my people in the village tomorrow ma’.

Mrs. Odili paused for a while, thinking about this request from her house help. She never thought Rose will ever want to return to her poor village. She had often made mockery of Rose’s background in such a way that even Rose began to dread going back there. She wondered what Rose will tell people about them when she eventually leaves their house. She was still thinking deeply when her husband suddenly walked into the sitting room.

...Continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN) Continues...

‘How come nobody came to inform me that the food is ready seeing that I am so famished?’ he said as he frowned at Rose.

‘I’m sorry sir; I was about calling you to…’ Before Rose could complete the sentence, Pastor Kay moved closer to her and spanked her on the face. Rose just did obeisance and left the sitting room holding her cheek.

‘Honey, don’t allow this girl disobey my orders in this house’, he told his wife; then he notices her silence and sits right beside her placing his arm on her shoulders, ‘Honey, what is it? Is anything the matter? Talk to me dear’.

‘Rose said she wants to go back to her village’, Mrs. Odili responded

‘Ehen, is she not better off in the village? Is that why you’re bothered?’

‘Kay, she said she wants to go back to her village tomorrow and you are not bothered’, she asked raising her voice a little higher.

‘And why should I be bothered? That’s good riddance to bad rubbish’

‘Did you see the injury you inflicted on her with the pressing iron?’ asked Mrs. Odili.

‘Yes; what about that?’

‘Don’t you know that if she leaves here to the village, she will be asked how she got the wound and also how her stay has been with us here. Then she will tell everyone that the well respected, calm, peace loving Pastor Kay and his wife are responsible for all the scars and also for the emotional trauma she has been passing through. In extension, news will begin to spread fast and everyone who holds us in high esteem in this city will see the real us and know that we have only been pretending to be nice and Godly all along. Aren’t you thinking of all these Kay?

‘Oh my God! You are right dear. I never thought of all that’, responded Pastor Kay. ‘So what do we do?’

‘She can’t leave this house o’, said Mrs. Odili. ‘As a matter of fact, she shouldn’t even be allowed to step out of the compound for now until we know what steps to take concerning her’.

‘Okay honey, I’ll make sure of that. She’s going nowhere and no one has to know about anything going on in this house’, Pastor Kay assured his wife.

Mrs. Odili smiled at her husband whom she believes can handle the situation perfectly well; Then she motions to her husband, ‘The food is getting cold dear, shall we?’ They smile at each other and walk to the dining.

END OF PART ONE

Ooops, I've been away for so long.. Apologies .. I've been busy though. May continue "Never Again" by next week.. My hands are tied for now . Please bear with me

Hello Nairalanders....

Sorry for the long absence... Had a tight schedule.. But thank God I'm back again to continue with the Christian stories.

I implore other Christian story tellers to share their stories here as well.

The continuation of NEVER AGAIN (Part two) in a moment...

TITLE: NEVER AGAIN (Part Two)
Written by Amicable24

Back in St. Bartholomew’s church where Pastor Kennedy Odili’s funeral is being held, Reverend Dele Matthew rounded up his sermon with words of encouragement to the bereaved family, friends and relatives of the deceased. He said a prayer over Pastor Kay’s body lying lifeless in the casket and then motioned on the pallbearers to come and take the body to the cemetery for burial. As the pallbearers lifted the casket up, Mrs. Odili suddenly jumped out of her seat and threw herself at the pallbearers weeping profusely and trying to reach the casket, but then, some women rushed to her and held her down, still consoling her. The pallbearers held the casket high and slowly left the church followed by the officiating Reverend, late Pastor Kay’s family, church officials, relatives, friends and others, Rose being among the last set to leave the church. As they left for the cemetery, they sang;

“It is well (repeat)
With my soul (repeat)
It is well, it is well with my soul”

The casket was placed in one of the vehicles while Mrs. Odili, her children and some others entered other vehicles. The remaining followed on foot, seeing that the cemetery is not so far from the church. Rose was one of those who walked to the cemetery accompanied by some church members who consoled her on their way with words like, “Sorry Rose. Pastor Kay was such a good man. We know you really miss him so much just like we do. We pray God Almighty comforts you and bring someone else your way who will be a nice and loving father to you just like our dear Pastor Kay”. Rose pretended to be sad for the deceased but inwardly, she wasn’t and rejected the consoling words from them in her heart. She said to herself that she will rather die than have another master like the late Pastor Kay.

...Never Again continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN Part Two) Continues...

Few days after the burial of Pastor Kennedy Odili, some church officials were sent to Mrs. Odili’s house to inform the family of the plans the church has for them. Mrs. Odili who was still receiving condolence visits received the church emissaries with joy. Indeed they came with good tidings for the Odilis. Mrs. Odili was informed that her wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of her children will be taken full care of by the church. They comforted her and assured her that whatsoever she will need to cater for herself and her children will be provided by the church.

After that, their conversation shifted to Rose, Mrs. Odili’s house help. Rose has been busy serving the guests that came into their house; walking to and fro as she served each visitor that came in. She was glad to see the church officials and as she was serving them with what each wanted, she overheard them talking about her. She paced around to listen to the conversation as this one concerns her.

Brother Lekan, one of the church officials started by saying to Mrs. Odili; ‘We also have some good news for Rose. The church has decided to sponsor her education into the higher institution’.
Mrs. Odili kicked as she heard this. ‘Rose?!’, she asked.
‘Yes, Rose’, brother Lekan responded. ‘Is there a problem ma?’
‘No o’, replied Mrs. Odili. ‘My late husband and I have also tried our best to take her to the higher institution but Rose isn’t taking her studies seriously. In fact, she told us she doesn’t want to continue with her education anymore. We did all we can to make her see the need to further her education but she is adamant about it. I wouldn’t want the church to waste resources on Rose the way my late husband did’.

...Never Again continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN Part Two) Continues...

When Rose heard all that from Mrs. Odili, she became furious and even wanted to bump into their conversation and tell the church officials that all what Mrs. Odili just said are lies, but she held herself and hoped for the best outcome.
‘So what are your plans for Rose?’ asked one of the officials.
‘Eeerm, Rose… I think I will have to… Eeerm…’ she muttered. ‘You see, just leave Rose. I will know what to do about her with time’, she added.

Rose didn’t want to miss this opportunity of going back to school, so she thought of something. She rushed into the kitchen and got a pack of fruit juice with a glass cup. She quickly came and presented it to one of the officials who never asked for it.
‘Haba, Rose, I’m good already. I didn’t ask for fruit juice’.
‘Oh, I thought you did’, Rose said, then she offered it to the others but they politely turned down the offer. As Rose took back the fruit juice and turned to leave, brother Lekan called her back; ‘Rose, can I ask you something?’
Rose turned to him and smiles, motioning him to go ahead.
‘What do you want to do with your life seeing that you have refused to further your education?’ asked Lekan.
Rose was very happy to hear the question and without wasting any time she responded, ‘Me? I want to further my education sir’
Brother Lekan and the other officials were surprised at her response. Then Lekan asked her, ‘But Mummy Kate said you…’
‘She is not serious o’, snapped Mrs. Odili who looked at Rose angrily trying to pass a message to her to leave the room at once.

Rose understood Mrs. Odili’s gesture but she was ready for whatever outcome from her disobedience. She had long hoped for the day she will eventually leave the Odili’s house to her own freedom and this is one good opportunity after many failed attempts. Rose was lenient enough to speak nice of Mrs. Odili in the presence of the church officials. She said to them, ‘I may have refused to further my education, but I think I have now seen the importance of education and I am willing to go back to school’.

The church officials were glad to hear that and smiled to Mrs. Odili who could barely hide her anger.
‘So we will make arrangement on how you will write the next UTME and if truly you are serious with your education, we expect you to pass the UTME and hopefully gain admission into one of your choice universities. We will talk more on that before we live here, okay?’ said brother Lekan.
‘Okay sir’, Rose gladly responds and thanks them all. She happily returns to her room. ‘Finally, I’ll be out of this house; oh my God!’ she said to herself as she rolled around in bed. Then she laid still and thought about her first attempt to leave the house about four years ago after late Pastor Kay burnt her left arm with a hot pressing iron for just a little mistake she made. Her joy immediately turned to sorrow and resentment as she thought about that fateful day.

...Never Again continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN Part Two) Continues...

After she told Mrs. Odili of her intention to go back to her village the following day, she went into her room, put her luggage together and laid on the bed, eyes closed, waiting for the day to quickly break. ‘Where will I go? I don’t even know the way to my village, and even if I knew the way, how do I get money for the transport fare? I don’t even have a single penny on me’, Rose recollects. ‘But that notwithstanding, I have to leave here first thing tomorrow morning. I can’t spend another night with these monsters anymore. I mustn’t die of ill treatment before I know I have overstayed my welcome here. I just have to leave this house and go anywhere’.

As she kept on pondering on where to go, she slept off. She woke up the next day at about 6:35a.m and without having her bath or even brushing her teeth, she got up from bed, took her luggage and went out of her room. When she got downstairs to the exit door, she noticed it was locked as usual. She went to the dining table where all keys are normally kept but noticed that that particular door’s key was missing. The keys to the main gate, the car keys and some other house keys were all on the table except for the entrance/exit door’s key. Rose thought her eyes must be deceiving her so she took out time to observe the keys one after the other but couldn’t find it. She again thought she was mistaken so she took all the keys and went to the exit/entrance door, trying each key on the door, but to no avail. After a long trial, it dawned on her that the Odilis must have played a fast one with the key. That was how Rose was locked indoors for some weeks until she lost interest in leaving.

Other times she had tried to leave, the Odilis always have a way to stop her. On some occasions, they will pretend to be very nice to her just to make her stay. The last attempt she made to leave the house was also very unsuccessful. Then she was about sitting for her SSC Examination but the Odilis persuaded her to stay and write the exams. They promised to send her home after her exams but they never did. Now she is seeing this offer and sponsorship by their church as a golden opportunity she has been waiting for so long.

‘I mustn’t miss this chance to leave this house for anything,’ she said to herself while still in bed. ‘I know madam will be very angry at my response back there in the sitting room but I don’t care. Never again will I live with these monsters in sheep clothing. I don’t even wish my enemies to pass through all that I passed through living with them. Bunch of pretenders always covering up their evil acts with church activities’.

...Never Again continues shortly...

(NEVER AGAIN Part Two) Continues...

The relationship between Rose and Mrs. Odili became even worse but there was really nothing Mrs. Odili could do to stop Rose from leaving the house at this point. If she had her way, she would have talked the church out of sponsoring her education but she wouldn’t do that because she still has an image to protect and she wouldn’t want her cover to be blown out yet. Mrs. Odili wished her husband was still alive because he is the one who sure knows how to do her bidding and she believes he wouldn’t have accepted the offer from the church concerning Rose’ education. Too bad she lost her husband in an auto crash which claimed only his life leaving others in the same vehicle with little or no injury at all. He was traveling to a nearby state in the company of some other members of their church to attend an annual conference there. His death came as a shock to his wife and others seeing that the vehicle conveying them wasn’t so wrecked, and out of ten people in the vehicle, only Kay died. Four people including the driver only sustained minor injuries while the other five came out unscathed. It was indeed a shocking news.

It wasn’t long before Rose wrote the next UTME, and to the surprise of the church, she came out with flying colours. She gained admission into one of the prestigious universities where she is studying Law. Rose chose to study Law because she wants to be a voice to as many voiceless individuals being maltreated by their supposed caregivers.

Rose learnt that just in her first year in the university, Mrs. Odili brought a young girl into her house to work as a maid. She also maltreated her but, unlike Rose, this new maid didn’t hesitate to inform the church of all the evil meted on her by Mrs. Odili. Investigations were carried out and Mrs. Odili was found guilty of all the accusations leveled against her by the new maid. They even found out that Rose suffered the same fate in the hands of the Odilis. People saw Mrs. Odili for who she truly is and many taunted her for being a pretender all along. The shame was indeed too much on her. Though Mrs. Odili committed a crime worthy of punishment, the church didn’t excommunicate her, neither did they stop rendering help to her. The church rather encouraged her to amend her ways and go back to Christ. They urged her to seek the Lord’s mercy and forgiveness, and also the forgiveness of all she and her late husband have offended especially Rose. She agreed and did all these, the Lord being merciful upon her.

The church prayed for her and continued rendering assistance to her and her family. Rose truly forgave her and both of them have been in good terms ever since.

THE END.

Good evening all.. Hope you're having a great week.

More stories coming up with time by God's grace. The stories are ready but I have not been able to rewrite or elongate them into scripts/literature form (quite busy, but I believe I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me)...

I'm beckoning on other Christian/Gospel story writers to share their stories too.

God bless you as you do so
God bless the writers and the readers