I recall back 2004 holding my Dad’s hand, crying and saying, “Daddy, why won’t you celebrate my 10th Birthday for me?” The memories are still as clear as an event of a fortnight ago when Dad replied with a heavy heart saying, “Son, I don’t have enough to celebrate your birthday maybe when you are 20 years, I will celebrate it for you”. His reply was like a blow to the face of a kid who had attended the birthday of his colleagues. In my toddling mind then, I kept asking myself why I needed to wait for another 10 years to be celebrated but I only knew very little about life. I cried almost throughout 25th of October, 2004. I could see it all over my Dad’s face, sadness for not celebrating his own first son at 10. At Eve, when it was clear that nothing can be done again to celebrate the day, I got over my childishness and ask my father reason for lack of money when necessities arises and he replied saying that life is a function of destiny. I didn’t understand the meaning of what he said but I felt he was probably giving the right reason why he couldn’t celebrate me at 10. As a child, I made up my mind to start saving some money to help my Dad celebrate me at 20. I can remember how I gradually cultivated a saving habit because of my much anticipated 20th birthday.
Today, 25th of October, 2014 is the day that had been much anticipated since few days after my 10th birthday but all on my mind is not how to celebrate but a measure of life’s achievement in the last 20 years. A vivid account reveals that I have wasted 14 years wandering without focus and vision. Those 14 years were like the consumption of rice without salt. They were frustrating and full of hardship without comfort but the last 6 years valid from 22nd of February, 2008 were full of landmarks as many would estimate but yet, I felt that I have not been fulfilled
I won’t forget the year that the Devil advice me that the best way is to make it in life is by stealing. My first operation was to steal a classmate’s candy. What an awkward day of my life! She never reported me to the class teacher but she downloaded the history of my life for me through her lips. She made references to my never retiring school uniform, sandals and bag (Anytime I see her now, I still feel guilty. How I wish I could replace that candy but that event made us two separate being that would not even do more than greetings to each other even after more than a decade of occurrence) and right from that moment, I made up my mind that even if it will cost me my life to never steal again, I will never steal again – A. D. 2000
I remember those years I was a liar because I was been told by an older person that honesty does not pay but thank to “Iya Sadia”, my Jewel whom I owe whatever I am and I’m aspiring to be. Sweet Mother, those marks and pains of the horse-whip transformed my lying tongue to a truthful tongue A.D. 2001 – A.D. 2003
I also recall the year my father told me that I can do anything I want with my life but I should never take strong drinks and cigarette. I was eager to obey to the core because I believed that if I disobey that instruction, my 20th birthday is at risk – A. D. 2005
I remember the year I wanted to stab myself because I was tired of life. All things seem to be against me despite the fact I was one of the good boy you could ever find around. Thank God for the help of a pal who invited me to their church where I gave my life to Christ Jesus. – A. D. 2008
A.D. 2008 – A.D. 2014 were years better off than A.D. 1994 – A.D. 2007. How I wish I met this Saviour earlier. All I am and I will ever be, I owe to the Almighty God through my lovely parent. Praise to the Lord Almighty for the gift of Salvation
Almighty God, what more can I say than to appreciate you for your divine guidance which is, and was, and will keep helping me to model my life according to the lifestyle of your One and Only Begotten Son. Once more I appreciate the Lord for His Spirit that comforts me
On this day, my only promise is Purpose, Mission and Vision Redefined for the next decade. Excellence and Relevance is my watchword
Oh Lord! Thank you for the new exposition. Physics has it that the standards units of measurement are seven (7) in numbers but I am being inspired that six of them are fallacious and the only true standard of measurement is time. All others exist based on the need for men to measure according to a standard and has their basis built on time. The difference between a zygote that was formed 9 months back from 25/10/1994 and a young man on 25/10/2014 is time but the question next is, “Has the days spent worthwhile of the achievements”. It is the time variance that helps man to discover his purpose and prompts him to achieve it in the given time as ordained by the Almighty God, the custodian of great mysteries.
Increase in height, mass, and the rate of purpose achievement are all dependent on time. No wonder the psalmist said, “Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom – Ps. 90:12”
See you at the next Decade
A Servant to Al l
ONNI, Joseph Yusuf
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