I was shown one act of random kindness today. Before I continue, I would like to apologise to mama and papa Josh for putting them out like this. But sometimes, their awesomeness is just too great to be silent about. I celebrate this family because they are simply amazing. So yes bro and sis ndo, ejo, ma binu. I love you guys.
I'm spilling the tee today because if there ever comes a day when I forget what just happened, I want to be reminded on paper not just how much they mean to us as a family but what they have done to deserve my love and respect like this.
I'm used to telling my long stories but for this post, I just want to write a list so I can organise my emotions before I start crying again. I will list why they are special to me and my family. Words cannot really express how I am feeling but I'll try to explain.
1. Prayer Partners
They are our prayer partners. I remember when they took us under their wing. At the time I didn't even know they had taken us as their responsibility (I'm hardwork guys but oh well). They would act as my personal prayer coaches. They would hand me inspirational CD's to listen to, dash me their own personal reading books etc (yes, I remember: "how to pray effectively" and "now you are born again" books were both given to me for free). At first it was so unusual that they will be so interested in my spiritual growth because it's never happened to me before. I'm not used to someone taking so much of an interest in my prayer life with Christ. They will do the simplest but hardest of things like call me at 5.30am in the morning to pray. If you missed it let me repeat, 5.30am o when the rest of the world is sleeping. 5.30am when I only got to fall asleep at 2.00am knowing I will be up by 7am to get ready and take my children to school/go to work. 5.30am is the time when you are literally rolling over! But nooooo, I have to wake up and praaaaaayyyyy and they will make sure I am not left out. Lol. I got over my feelings soon enough and just saw it for what it was. I'm sure it was hard for them also when they first started to discipline their bodies. Now I know it's a privilege to be called to join in the prayer session. Yes, I know I'm royalty and I belong to a King but I'm not the Queen of England, and even if she had to do something at a given time, she would do it. Freely. No excuses. So what I was doing was not too much of a big thing for God. Soon I noticed that there are thousands of people around the country that wake up at that time to pray too and they don't have two heads, so I shouldn't really be slacking in that department. Now if I do get the reminder phone call, I am grateful. I feel special. That they see me worthy to remember lil ol me.
2. Thoughtful
They think about me and my family (and a lot of other people too). That is just the way they are. Time and time again they will call or text, just to say hi, hello, how are you? How have you been? How was your day? Even when I'm evasive with my answers, they are relentless. They genuinely care. There was a time I travelled back home to Nigeria. They hadn't heard from me for a week and a half because I didn't have a telephone line. My husband then received a phone call from them. Just one phone call to say, hey, we miss you. It was such a nice feeling.
3. Therapists
I don't know if anyone has called them that name before. Hmmmm. Where do I begin on this one. This is a really big one. But I'll give one instance. I called sis one day I think I was crying on the phone as usual, lol. I just fell out with someone I really love but have a complicated relationship with. At the time, has a toddler and was also about 6/7 months pregnant. She decided to come down to talk to me. Somehow talking on the phone was not good enough for her. She wanted us to sit down and insisted we talked face to face. The first thing I told her was, "please don't waste your time". It's such a huge inconvenience to you. But she was persistent she could make it. So we met up at my doctor's surgery where my daughter just had an appointment and then we went to the nearest cafe. Her husband dropped her off and waited for us. After speaking to me, I just felt calm and sober. She said something along the lines of, "you can have the best relationship with even the most difficult person, just keep showing love". Show love. Show love. I keep replaying those words in my head. Her words were so soothing it has helped me in the way I even relate to this person. I tell you they are priceless.
4. Support Network
I can't count the number of times I have called to ask them to pray for my children when one of them had been ill and my faith was just not strong enough. They have encouraged me so much so that even now when my children are a little unwell, I know how to pray for them and I am confident that they are on their way to immediate recovery.
5. Sister and Brother
I honestly don't feel like a friend. I am made to feel like a sister. I love my own sister (you all know I think I have the BEST sister in the world already). But my other sister and brother are these two. When I went through my miscarriage recently, they were one of those people that was there in their own way. To hug me while I cried, for every the hospital appointment, to talk non stop about my options, to pray for me and with me, to watch over me and my children while I slept. I don't forget such favours. Never. Did I forget to mention the time when I called and said, can you come down today please. I need you to talk to my sister (another baby sister) as I have just seen a disturbing letter from her in my home. They came as quickly as they could with their children in tow to encourage and pray with her. Or the other time when my husband and I ran into a little difficulty in Nigeria. The children were to start school back in London and we had issues with re-purchasing our tickets. They rallied around us and tried to raise the money for new tickets. At the last minute even when all failed on our end (we bought tickets and then it was cancelled but the money wasn't immediately refunded to us which meant we were back to square one). They called from out of the blue and said they now had the money and will buy our new tickets. Just like that. The following day we were back in London. I know all things work together for good. We promised to refund the money when our money had bounced back into our own account. You know the amazing thing about them is, they kept insisting I shouldn't stress myself about it and I can give it back whenever I can. Oh my. As lovely as they are, we couldn't owe them one day more than necessary, honestly. They are too kind. Today, they surprised me with a bag of rice and a box of noodles. From nowhere. They didn't ask if I needed it or if I wanted it. They just thought about me and just bought it. All their roles intertwine but to sum it up, these people are real yet indescribable. Ok, they are so Christ-conscious and Christ-like. Their lives is a total reflection of what Jesus's teachings are. For example, loving your neighbour just as you love yourself.
You see the thing about Acts of Random Kindness is that I've seen that it actually makes the world go round.
I always want to emulate such kindness and be kind to someone else whether they are in need or not. They live by example and it is only natural to follow suit. Their love for their fellow human being is not superficial and it is not fake. I feel like they are like this to me and that's great, but it's not because it's me and it's not all about me. It's because that is just who they are. They are like this to everybody. That's just what they do. And my husband and I love them for all they are, all they do and for seeing us the way they do.
Words cannot begin to justify how we feel. But only God can see our hearts and or gratitude and we just want to say we appreciate all that you have ever done. Your love and support is immeasurable. My husband says you are our family. And to us, family means everything.
#thatsall
Be Inspired
xoxo
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