Chuks marched back into the auditorium with a great feeling of accomplishment basking in him like a smiling madman. "Excuse me please" He said to the man sitting on the chair before his seat. The man pulled his legs closer to himself to give Chuks enough space to pass. Chuks was so happy that he just kept smiling, and at a point, he felt like telling the man sitting beside him what just happened, but he restrained himself from doing that. The atmosphere looked so tense and calm, but Chuks was so happy that he did not observe it. The Pastor was talking about the way Christians were being persecuted in some parts of the world, and as many of them have been killed simply because they refused to renounce their Faith. "Those of us here are very lucky" The Pastor said. "But, despite how privileged we are, many are still lukewarm" He added. "What then would happen if we were to be in those parts of the world where Christians are being persecuted?" He asked rhetorically. "Hmmmmm..." The man beside Chuks said. Chuks looked at the man to see what was wrong with him, but the man wore a very tense look, and did not even care about who was looking at him. He nodded to what the Pastor said, and that called Chuks attention to the Pastor's words. "Let's rise up as we pray" The Pastor said, bringing the sermon to an end.
After the prayer session, it was time for offering, and of the whole congregation, Chuks was the one that danced most. All members of the church were to dance out to the front where there were big offering boxes boldly marked, "Tithe" "Offering". They would dance from one side of the church, drop their offering, and dance back to their seat from another side. When it was time for Chuks' roll to dance out, he dipped his hand into his pocket, and brought out a #100 note, that was well folded somewhere in his pocket, an indication that the money has been in his pocket for some days, and except there was a special purpose for it, such an amount of money would not linger in his pocket for so long. He didn't bother to dip his hand into another pocket, Infact, he didn't make a mistake with the exact pocket that housed the #100 note. That morning, before he went to church, he went to play some games with the #2,000 he borrowed from his neighbour. It was the first match of the season, and his favourite team was playing against Watford United. He was so sure that his team would defeat Watford United, especially when his team had signed some top players before the closure of the transfer window. He saw the opportunity of winning some amount of money by staking some games on his team, but he had only #100 with him. He considered using the #100 to play some games, but he knew that the more money he used to play, the more money he would win. Forgetting also that the more money one uses to play, the more money one is likely to loose. That very morning, he went to one of his neighbours, told him stories of how he was called that his mum was ill, and how his attention was required urgently. "And I no get any money to take buy anything go for her" He explained to his neighbour who told him that the money must be refunded before the end of the new week. After his promises to refund the money even before weekend, #2,000 was handed over to him, and he used all to bet on his team. Chuks looked at the #100 note in his hands as if he was about to be cheated. He knew the implication of giving that money, and he was ready to bear the consequences. The money was supposed to serve a dual function of giving him lunch, and making him watch his favourite team play their first match of the season. He would have to miss watching the football match that afternoon, and would have to take his Garri with sugar or groundnut. . "Only if I can collect 'change'." The thought crossed his mind. He looked around to see if he could ask anybody if he could collect "change" during offering. He looked at the man beside him to see if his face was friendly enough to help him answer his question. Although, the man's face was friendly enough, but the way he held on to his own money, Chuks knew the man would be stingy with things, even information. The man's hand was so firm and tight with the money as if to form a fist, and it was obvious that he was one of those who believe that when one is about to give an offering in the church, it should be so covered that nobody would see it, not even one's left hand. "I think I should give everything." He said to himself, hoping to impress God with such a "bountiful offering", and earnestly waiting for the fruit of the offering he was yet to give. An usher signalled for their roll to dance out, and Chuks tapped his legs in preparation for a David's dance. As if to compliment his dance, the song leader raised the song, "When the Spirit of the Lord is upon my soul, I will dance like David danced", and indeed, Chuks danced like David danced. He was sure that his dance would so please God that his request and supplication to have Amaka as one of his girlfriends would be granted. Chuks danced to the front, willingly dropped the money and danced back to his seat. On getting to his seat, he was about to adjust himself to the little space his seat provided for him and resume to his David's dance when something unexpected happened to him. Something he least expected.
(c) 2016. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
After yesterday's episode, someone messaged me that he is also experiencing what Bro. Steve experienced in the hands of Amaka. Then, I asked myself a question I couldn't answer. "Is a lady supposed to ask a guy out (either directly or indirectly)?" Feel free to share your opinion. Did I tell you the story is just starting? Oh! I didn't? Well, I just did. But, what could happen to Chuks who gladly gave his last penny as offering to the Lord? The best way to find out is to watch out for the next episode which I'll bring to your doorstep as usual. Have you ever found one of "them"? THEY ARE AMONG US.
One thing about "them" is that, when they are among us, we may not easily identify them because they will do what we do, eat what we eat, and go to where we also go to. But, no matter how hard they try, they will always be different from us. But then, if we still look well, you will see that they are among us. Do you know what? The person beside you right now could be one of them. How about you asking the person, "are you one of them?" Lolzzzz.....I'll come your way again with the next episode. Don't forget to Nominate me in the on-going Nigeria Writers Award. Follow this link ( http://tyobstacle.blogspot.com.ng/2016/07/nominate-me-for-nigeria-writers-award.html ) to see how to nominate me.
It is good to share. So, take your time to share Daily Diet with your friends and loved ones. I'm sure you don't want them to miss out of the fun and lessons. For whatsapp users, you can create a broadcast list to enable you easily share Daily Diet with your contact. If you need help on how to create a broadcast list, message me so that I can put you through. And, if you don't want to create a broadcast list, you can simply give your friends my number to message me on Whatsapp, and I will add them to my broadcast list. For those who would also like to receive Daily Diet via Whatsapp, simple send a Whatsapp message to my number @ +2348072970850. Did you know there are over 20 of these wonderful stories? Did you know that there are over 50 wonderful articles that you need to read? Well, get them all for free on my blog.
ENJOY !!!
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OFMAT AUSTUS NWANNE
Inspirational Speaker/Media Consultant,
Swift24 Multimedia Services.
Whatsapp :: +2348072970850
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Email :: Tackleyourobstacle@gmail.com
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