John ESENE

 

    It is no more news that the economic hardship in Nigeria is becoming unbearable! But that notwithstanding, we should not lose focus of the purpose for which we were created. Prov. 28:1 says, “The wicked run when no one is chasing them, but an honest person is as brave as a lion.” Every problem has expiring date! God has not abandoned us. Let us keep the faith burning. “Why are you afraid, O men of little faith? Then Jesus rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm” says Mt.8:26. Our Patron Saints did not lose focus because of the troubles of the world.

 

       Blessed Carlo Acutis who was born in 1991 lived for only 16 years and died in 2006. According to CAN News, he was designated “Venerable” in 2018 and “Blessed” in 2020. He exposed his love for God even when he was diagnosed of leukemia at his tender age. Rather, he said, “I offer all the sufferings for the Lord, the Pope, and the Church.”

 

      His witness of faith was said to have led to a deep conversion in his mother. He influenced his parents and other relations to attend Mass regularly and receive Communion daily. He would make Holy Hours before or after Mass. He went to Confession weekly also.

 

     His mother said (according to the news) before Carlo, she only went to Mass for her first Holy Communion, her Confirmation and her wedding. But her son Carlo changed her situation. Rather than his parents to bring him to Mass every day, he was the one who influenced them to attend Mass and convinced other to receive Communion daily according to the priest promoting his cause for Sainthood.

 

    This is a very unique situation because in most cases parents impose their opinion on their children and would not listen or reason with their children: they would say, “I want you to do this or else …” Some will even chose career for their children. So, his parents have demonstrated the fact that there are many advantages in a cordial relationship between parents and their children.

 

    Parents should come very close to their children to enable them interact very well and in the process listen attentively to them, meditate and pray inwardly as they do so, to enable them know each other. This process will afford parents to know what their children are destined to be in future and do all they could to support them to fulfill the purpose for which there were created. Your child’s success depends so much on your support, but if you mislead him/her there will be problem.

 

     Parents, respect your children’s ambition. The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike (former River State Governor) said recently during interview on Channels Tv” Can I tell you something? My first son is a lawyer. Do you know now what he has chosen? He said, no, I’m not going to practice, I want to be a farmer.” I said what do you mean by this? He said, “No. this is what I want to do!” At first I couldn’t understand why someone would leave Law for Farming but I realized it’s not about what I want, it’s about what gives him satisfaction.”

 

    Sometime ago, I told you that a school girl who was awarded a special prize for being the only student who did not cry in the school in 2019 shocked her mother during the award. The mother shouted as she expressed her shock because the girl cried daily at home. But the school teachers and their principal defended the girl saying, the girl deserved the award. Then, the girl opened up saying, “I cry every day at home to make my mother HAPPY”.

 

    Jesus said in Mark 10:14, “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God”. Why would a father say to his son, “Junior, you are lazy, a thief, a useless and good for nothing boy”. But unknown to the father, the boy turn that remark as his night prayer for his father. When Junior entered his room to sleep each night, he would say. “Dad, you are lazy, a thief, a useless and good for nothing father”.

   

     When his mother heard him praying with it one night, she cried uncontrollably and the matter brought a division in the family. A house divided against itself cannot stand! Do not create a gap between your family and God, lest the devil will creep in and adopt your family as his own in hell. I humbly suggest that we say little or nothing when we are overwhelmed with anger especially when we are dealing with family members. The tongue can build or destroy!  Your family members are gifts from God to you. So, God’s gift is special and you will account for it. “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” John 1:12.      

 

       Dear readers, let us understand that it is compulsory for all of us to make efforts to fulfill the purpose of our creation and avoid distractions at all cost because we do not know the day we will be called to give account of our stewardship. We have many saints who died as teenagers but today they are saints. St Theresa of the Child Jesus (1873-1897). Gemma Galgani (1878-1903), Dominic Savio (1842-1857), Joan of Arc (1412-1431) and many more. You too can be a saint but do not allow parents, relations, lack of faith or things of this would to distract you!