“Testimony time!!!”

“Overcomers time!!!”

Somehow, it has become the norm to expect something ‘big’ when we hear the announcement in our various meetings and places of worship. We begin to imagine or should I say predict the manner of testimony the brother or sister is about to share with us. Chronic illness gone, miraculous aversion of an accident, multi-million naira contract, successful ceremonies and so many more. Now these things are really great and God does deserve the praise for His mighty work in our lives. However, what about the so called ‘little things’?

I’m referring to those things we have grown so accustomed to that we even forget they’re blessings from God. We’re so used to them, we don’t expect or pray for them to happen anymore. In fact, we would be worried if they didn’t happen.

A couple of weeks ago, I was indisposed and had intravenous needles fixed on my right wrist. The treatment lasted four days. I couldn’t do anything without assistance. My younger sister was literally my “errand girl” throughout the period. I had to be cautious even while sleeping so I wouldn’t roll over and distort the whole thing. Add that to the uncomfortable feeling that comes with being sick. Like one of my friends would say, “let’s just thank God for life”.

So, I just began to think of all the days I had my hands to use as I wished without requiring assistance from anyone. I could eat, put on my clothes and even smack or spank my sis as the case may be. Then to my health, what about the days of taking eating and digestion for granted? I was constantly praying to God to just help me eat and keep the food down. Even the taste of water nauseated me.

It wasn’t my first time taking ill, neither was it my first time at the doctor’s. But I know I was led to really reflect on these things at that time. In that state, I began to go over my expression of gratitude to God over the years. How human understanding had shaped my assessment of God’s goodness and generosity. The things I was so used to and rarely even remembered to thank God for making it so everytime.

But blessed be our God, who keeps no grudges. We are reminded once again that God is not man.

So beloved, perhaps you have behaved (and are still behaving) in a manner similar to mine, this is for us. Today, please take time to reflect on those seemingly little things. And praise God sincerely for them, because, as little as we say they are, just how much can we achieve on our own?

Sinuola.