“You had better paid your rent else you’d be thrown out of this house. I give you just three months. If you don’t get the money by the end of three months…” Shade’s landlord said and stormed out of her house.
It was just 6am when she just started preparing for her morning shift at Jones Hospital where she worked as a nurse. Undaunted by the threatening of her landlord, she continued in her preparations as if nothing had happened, singing her favourite hymn Trust and Obey. She was assured that her prayers had reached heaven when God reassured her by laying Proverbs 3:5, 6 in her heart.
She decided to walk instead of going to the bus stop to catch a ride. She checked her watch and realized that she would still make it in good time to the hospital.
It was just 6am when she just started preparing for her morning shift at Jones Hospital where she worked as a nurse. Undaunted by the threatening of her landlord, she continued in her preparations as if nothing had happened, singing her favourite hymn Trust and Obey. She was assured that her prayers had reached heaven when God reassured her by laying Proverbs 3:5, 6 in her heart.
She decided to walk instead of going to the bus stop to catch a ride. She checked her watch and realized that she would still make it in good time to the hospital.
Her phone rang and she picked up. It was Ruth. Why was she calling? She had never called her. She was even surprised that Ruth had her number.
“Good morning Shade.”
“Good morning Ruth. Hope you had a good rest.”
“Please I’d not be able to make it to the hospital today. I tried to call Dr. Albert but he wasn’t picking up. Do tell him I have some urgent family issues to attend to.”
And she hung up before Shade could say anything else.
Okay, Shade said to herself wondering what the problem really was.
There was real commotion at the reception when Shade appeared. A young girl of about 15 was crying while a man was shouting on the top of his voice. Shade’s roommate, Veronica was trying to explain something to the man who was clearly not listening.
On sighting Shade, relief spread on her face.
“The man wants an abortion for his daughter. She is 6 months pregnant already!”
Shade understood the problem. Veronica refused to carry out the abortion. Not only was it very unsafe for the young lady, Veronica’s faith would not allow her to do it. Ruth would have been more than willing to carry it out if she was around. Ruth’s acceptance to carry out abortions have shielded them but now they had to face the problem squarely.
The man was now approaching her. Father give me strength to say “no”, she prayed silently in her heart.
“I want you to remove that thing from her stomach quickly. I’d give you any money you charge and will forgive her,” he said eying Veronica, “by not suing her if you carry out the abortion.”
I could ask for the money equivalent to the rent and will save myself and Vero from this mess. She thought.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s too dangerous for the young girl.”
“I’d take full responsibility for whatsoever happens to her. Just get this thing off” he said now pleading. “She was just given admission and will not be admitted if they found out about this… Please…”
“I’m sorry but I’m sure God will do something.” Veronica chipped in.
“You are both Christians?” He asked spitefully and turned himself.
“Let’s go!” He commanded the crying girl.
“Good morning Shade.”
“Good morning Ruth. Hope you had a good rest.”
“Please I’d not be able to make it to the hospital today. I tried to call Dr. Albert but he wasn’t picking up. Do tell him I have some urgent family issues to attend to.”
And she hung up before Shade could say anything else.
Okay, Shade said to herself wondering what the problem really was.
There was real commotion at the reception when Shade appeared. A young girl of about 15 was crying while a man was shouting on the top of his voice. Shade’s roommate, Veronica was trying to explain something to the man who was clearly not listening.
On sighting Shade, relief spread on her face.
“The man wants an abortion for his daughter. She is 6 months pregnant already!”
Shade understood the problem. Veronica refused to carry out the abortion. Not only was it very unsafe for the young lady, Veronica’s faith would not allow her to do it. Ruth would have been more than willing to carry it out if she was around. Ruth’s acceptance to carry out abortions have shielded them but now they had to face the problem squarely.
The man was now approaching her. Father give me strength to say “no”, she prayed silently in her heart.
“I want you to remove that thing from her stomach quickly. I’d give you any money you charge and will forgive her,” he said eying Veronica, “by not suing her if you carry out the abortion.”
I could ask for the money equivalent to the rent and will save myself and Vero from this mess. She thought.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t. It’s too dangerous for the young girl.”
“I’d take full responsibility for whatsoever happens to her. Just get this thing off” he said now pleading. “She was just given admission and will not be admitted if they found out about this… Please…”
“I’m sorry but I’m sure God will do something.” Veronica chipped in.
“You are both Christians?” He asked spitefully and turned himself.
“Let’s go!” He commanded the crying girl.
Two days later, Shade was in the hospital when Dr. Albert called for her. The man, Mr. Thames had sued the hospital for refusing to carry out the abortion. Dr. Albert explained to her that they didn’t have capacity to fight the case for it was not just a fight against the man but also against the government. He handed a termination letter to her and asked her to tell Veronica to see him also.
Veronica’s appointment was also terminated.
And there they were with a court case, a threat from their landlord and jobless. But with solid faith in God.
Veronica’s appointment was also terminated.
And there they were with a court case, a threat from their landlord and jobless. But with solid faith in God.
Veronica and Shade could not afford the services of a lawyer. They had to request for a government attorney at no cost. But nothing seemed to be going in their favour. The case in the court gained much publicity. Many were against them but they were still a few who stood by them.
The two almost reached breaking point. Then a Christian organization, Mission for Christ, picked interest in their case and fought relentlessly for them. On getting to know their other problems, they bought the two a home of their own and gave each of them a job in a Christian hospital.
The two almost reached breaking point. Then a Christian organization, Mission for Christ, picked interest in their case and fought relentlessly for them. On getting to know their other problems, they bought the two a home of their own and gave each of them a job in a Christian hospital.
And that’s how God builds a home for us!
The above fiction is an illustration of the two Hebrew midwives in Exodus chapter 1. They put their lives at risk by saving the male children (Exodus 1:16). For that, God rewarded them Himself: “And it came to pass because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.” (Exodus 1:21).
God promised that “…I will build him a sure house…” (2 Samuel 2:35). This will be because he will be “…a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind…” (2 Samuel 2:35).
The above fiction is an illustration of the two Hebrew midwives in Exodus chapter 1. They put their lives at risk by saving the male children (Exodus 1:16). For that, God rewarded them Himself: “And it came to pass because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.” (Exodus 1:21).
God promised that “…I will build him a sure house…” (2 Samuel 2:35). This will be because he will be “…a faithful priest that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind…” (2 Samuel 2:35).
Only the courageous can do the will of God. What's your courage level like? Can you do the will of God in the face of challenges? Remember, God blesses you with a home for your courage just like the two Hebrew midwives and guarantees you a sure house if you are courageous enough to be faithful.
Be COURAGEOUS
Be COURAGEOUS
