Read Lk. 4:1-12
My sick friend called and said I made her cry sharing her story to comfort others. She said “Fr. do you know what, my baby is already talking and she isn’t one yet, and she says ‘alluah’ all the time with smiles. What a miracle and inspiration.” Wao!!! What a child, already praising God as the bible says in Ps. 8:2, “out of the lips of babies and infants you have built up praise because of your foes” (cf. Mt. 21:16).
Prior to her treatment she had to raise about 450,000 naira for her medicals (150,000 for admission and hospital admin stuff, with 300,000 for doctor and drugs) not including her transportation and personal needs with that of her husband who would be by her. By the way, her salary was nothing to write home about.
A date was given and she was meant to make the initial deposit of a 150,000 naira, which she did after asking for assistance everywhere. She now had less than three months to pay the other 300,000 naira. Where would she get such an amount from? Respite however came from a new found friend who had been nice to her, showering her and her kids with gifts. But there was a prize to pay.
The friend offered to take full responsibility of her treatment, take her places even trip her overseas, give her connections if only she would agree to her request. There was even a one million naira cash placed in front of her (ten bundles of one thousand naira notes). The condition was for her to be her lover, her sex mate. She protested though saying she is married and it’s hard but the friend persuaded saying it’s normal and will be their little secret since they are both married. Moreover, she needed the money for her treatment.
Let me ask you, honestly if you were in her shoes what would you do? It as a difficult decision she told me but she made her choice. She said Fr. I have neI prefer to die than offend my God. So she got up, walked to her door, opened it and walked the supposed friend out of her house. As the friend left she said she would suffer but she replied my God would not allow me to for he will make a way for me. She refused to compromise like Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego in Dan. 3:16-18 and like Daniel in chapter 6. Did God made a way for her? Yes God did as he said in Is. 43:19. She went for the treatment and was treated by the doctor with barely half of the money and promised to pay the balance within a year’s time, which the doctor also obliged. Strange you would say but that is how God works.
You are not the only one facing real and difficult challenges. Don’t compromise I say to you now, don’t. Let her story teach you that it is possible, just stand with God in that situation you are in right now, remember you are not the only one in such situations, stand in faith (1 Peter 5:8-9). Sing now “I need thee every hour….” and pray with Deut. 5 with Ps. 16 & 141.
SHEPHERD ME O LORD BEYOND MY STRENGTH.