It is so rare to see a house that as beautiful as Musa’s: a paradise on earth. “I wonder if people living in such houses ever say, ‘Lord, Thy kingdom come’” Mark wondered, as he strolls across with his eyes glued to the architectural edifice of wonder. Mark had barely finished secondary school when it became imperative that he needed to work in order to assist his parents cater for his younger siblings. Mark is the first child out of seven children. His mother was easily remembered as the ‘pregnant woman’. She was always pregnant. Even though things were so sturdy, Mark’s parents couldn’t help giving birth almost every year. So, things became tough. There seemed to be no hope for Mark if he chose to rely on his parents. He murmured; “Ugh! Not again. How can mummy be pregnant again? Why can’t they control themselves? I am tired of this situation.” “Young man, who are you? What are you doing, sitting in front of my house?” “I’m sorry sir! I was just…just…eeehh…” he replied Musa who wanted to drive into his house. “What do you want?” Musa inquired rather calmly, alighting from his white range rover sports. “I was…I mean I am…my name is Mark. I was looking for a job around here.” “But there is no vacancy post on the board here.” “I was just…” “It’s ok.” Musa interrupted. “So, what type of job do you want?” “Anyone sir: I can cook, wash, sweep, anything sir.” “Do you have any form of education? “Yes sir. I just finished secondary school but I couldn’t register for WAEC exams because of funds. “Ok. Come in with me.” Mark entered through the pedestrian entrance of the gate as Musa drove into his house. The gatekeeper, Adamu listened to the entire conversation between Musa and Mark. He soliloquized; “this oga sef; na so so question.” Adamu turned to Mark; “small boy; behave o. No mess up here o. Oga na beta person sha.” Mark looked at him in indifference and nodded his head in the affirmative. “Adamu, send him in” Musa ordered from the duplex at the center of the mansion. His family is resident in the US. Musa only visited them twice in a year. Mark started out well. He did his chores excellently. Musa had grown to really love him for his hard work. Mark also proved to be intelligent and Adamu also enjoyed his presence. Mark was responsible for keeping the whole house clean while Amos was the cook. Hope beamed on Mark. He was beginning to save for his education and support his family. It was a sun-full morning after a year. Musa called out: “Mark! Please come.” He treated them with so much respect. “I am here sir.” Musa continued; “The brand of wine that I like is finished. Go and buy me just a bottle from the supermarket.” He pulled out ten thousand naira from his brown leather wallet and gave it to Mark. “Yes sir. I’ll get it immediately.” In about thirty minutes, Mark returned with the exact wine. “Wow! You are good. I thought you were going to make mistakes with the description.” Musa asked him to keep the wine in the bar at the right side of the living room. After two days, Musa was alone in the master bedroom. He was talking to himself: “I know that wine only costs four thousand naira. Mark decided to keep my balance until now. This is the third time he’ll do the same thing. Well, he has failed the test.” Musa had decided to send him to the US for studies. But he needed to test his honesty and loyalty. All these were unknown to Mark who felt he had made some gain. God knows whatever happens in secret and in the open. One secret sin may be responsible for our delayed blessings. We may think He doesn’t see but he allows us to be tested for any testimony we are to receive. Do not hold on to peanuts when God is planning a banquet for you.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 12:57:10 +0000
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