I'd like to share with you a story that happened decades back in the western part of Africa, in Nigeria to be precise.
A young man, successful by every standard: highly placed in the society, a commissioner to his state government, happily married and with kids. He was the envy of his peers, respected by his associates, & greatly loved by those who were opportuned to know him. All seemed to be going well for this young commissioner until.. disaster struck.
His wife was blessed with the friut of the womb once again, hurriedly travel plans were put together for her to travel to put to bed abroad. A few weeks to her time for delivery, she travelled in the company of her brother.. After putting to bed safely, she set out for Nigeria.
The proud father of the newly born baby expectantly waited to see his wife and baby. The other kids waited the arrival of their new brother /sister.
When finally the mother and child landed at the airport in the then Nation's capital (Lagos). The proud, excited father sent out an advance welcome party (consisting of the other kids and an elderly relative) from their enugu base to Lagos to welcome the Mother and child.
They arrived Lagos safely, exchanged pleasantries excitedly and then they set off on a trip that was bound to change their lives and those of their loved ones for ever. They all (except for her brother who had to go back to pick up a material which they had forgotten, with the intention of coming after) took off on a flight from Lagos which was bound for their Enugu base but was to never make it.
The Plane crashed.
All the members of that family on board, perished.
The man on that single day lost his wife, mother-in-law, children, & 'new-born child'. To him his world had ended. He felt he had lost every reason to live on. HE GAVE UP LIVING.
He resigned his appointment, sold his properties and moved to his hometown to live without purpose. In his grief he considered life in his old rural family house too comfortable: life in a place affected by unstable power, unclean water, etc.
He again moved, but this time to his farmland to live. He built a hut in the middle of his farmland, surrounded by bushes and wild animals and away from human companion or civilisation. He must have wondered "why fight on. why live on"...
...
Last time i heard, he was rescued by the love of his family & friends and lived to tell the tale. it's not time to feel pity or sorry for him, cos God knows why he allowed it all to happen, when it happened, and how it happened. I am telling you this to encourage you to hold on and be strong, for what ever tide you face surely will pass away & joy shall come in the morning.
REJOICE & HOLD- ON.
